How To Pray For An Alcoholic Husband

What is an alcoholic?  An alcoholic is a person who suffers from an addiction to alcohol, with an uncontrollable desire to drink.  Like any other addiction, alcoholism controls the life of the addict.  The alcoholic may feel the need to drink alcohol on a daily basis, or the alcoholic may be an occasional consumer of alcohol who is unable to stop after only one drink, but instead continues to drink to the point of intoxication.

In the 23^rd chapter of Proverbs, there is a very good description of the effects of alcoholism.  Alcoholism causes sorrow and woe, it causes contentions and strife, it causes foolish talking, it causes the eyes to be bloodshot, and it injures the body’s internal organs (Proverbs 23:29).

So, how and why does a man become an alcoholic?  At first, a person may drink because alcohol decreases inhibitions and allows them to “fit in” with others who are drinking, or he may drink because he enjoys the lightheadedness and the temporary escape from reality offered by alcohol (Proverbs 23:33-34).  Therefore, when sober, an alcoholic will seek to consume alcohol again and again (Proverbs 23:35).  Eventually, his body will become addicted to alcohol, and he will experience withdrawal when he is not drinking.  Some of the more common symptoms of withdrawal are headache and vomiting; however, other symptoms include shaking hands, confusion, increased blood pressure, and even seizures.  In the end, alcohol will poison the alcoholic’s liver and kidneys, leading to his death (Proverbs 23:32).

What does God say about alcoholics?

God says that whoever is deceived by wine or strong drink is a fool (Proverbs 20:1). 

God warns that there is great sorrow for those who rise up early in the morning to drink alcohol and for those who continue drinking until they are intoxicated; for they party with music and drink, ignoring the Lord, willingly entering into the captivity of their addiction (Isaiah 5:11-13).  Therefore, because the alcoholic puts his addiction to alcohol above his love of God, seeking to satisfy his addiction, rather than seeking God (Matthew 6:33), he will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10), which is to say that he will not experience the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost that God’s Kingdom offers (Romans 14:17).

God also warns that those who are addicted to alcohol will err in vision and will stumble in judgment (Isaiah 28:7).  This is because an alcoholic will only look out for himself and meet his own needs (Isaiah 56:11).  He won’t see or acknowledge that there are physical, emotional, social, and spiritual consequences to his addiction, not only for himself, but for those who love him.  He won’t admit that he is on a path of self-destruction; instead, he will convince himself that he can control his addiction and prosper, regardless of his alcoholism (Isaiah 56:12).  However, the Bible warns that the drunkard and the glutton, neither of whom exhibit self-control, shall come to poverty (Proverbs 23:21).

So, is there hope for the alcoholic?

Absolutely!  In fact, the Bible specifically calls for alcoholics to wake up to their situation and repent, for their love of alcohol over their love of God grieves the Holy Spirit (Joel 1:5).  Because his addiction is standing between him and the Lord, the alcoholic must crucify his lust for alcohol at the cross of Christ (Galatians 5:24).  He does this by simply humbling himself under the mighty hand of God, surrendering himself and his addiction to the Lord (1 Peter 5:6-7).  When he does this, the alcoholic will be washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and through the working of the Holy Spirit in his life (1 Corinthians 6:11).  Always remember that the Lord desires for everyone to repent and surrender to Him (2 Peter 3:9) because He wants to be able to abundantly bless each and every one of His children (Deuteronomy 28:2).

Temperance

An alcoholic may try to convince you that he can practice temperance through his own strength.  But what is temperance?  Temperance is a fruit of the Spirit, along with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, and meekness (Galatians 5:22-23); as such, true temperance will manifest only as your husband submits to the Lord and allows the Holy Spirit to sanctify him, to set him apart for the Lord.  By definition, temperance can mean either the complete abstinence from alcohol or the strict moderation of alcohol intake.  The Bible has examples of both forms of temperance.

One example of temperance taking the form of complete abstinence from alcohol is found in the requirements of a Nazarite, a man who was to be wholly separated unto God (Numbers 6:1-4).  We see this temperance being ordered in the life of Samson (Judges 13:4-5) and in the life of John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).

Temperance in the form of strict moderation of alcohol is seen in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, when he advised him to drink a little wine to help with digestion (1 Timothy 5:23).  It’s very important to note here that Paul recommended “a little” and absolutely did not promote drinking in excess.  In fact, Paul specifically warned the Church at Ephesus to not drink wine to the point that they became intoxicated, because it would be better for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit than with wine (Ephesians 5:18).  When Paul wrote to the Church at Philippi, he encouraged them to let their moderation be known to all men (Philippians 4:5).  Unfortunately, as with most other types of addiction, an alcoholic is unable to moderate his intake, so it is best if his temperance takes the form of complete abstinence.

Prayer – Standing Against and Rebuking Alcoholism

Father, God in Heaven, I ask for wisdom as I pray for my husband’s release from alcoholism.  Guide me in acting with the spiritual authority that You have granted me through Christ Jesus (Mark 16:17).

In the name of Jesus, I stand against my husband’s alcoholism and speak the Lord’s rebuke against this addiction and any other addiction that the enemy would try to bring to prevent my husband from serving the Lord God (Zechariah 3:2).  In the name of Jesus, that spirit of addiction is commanded to hold its peace and come out of my husband (Mark 1:25)

Lord God, I ask You to fill my husband with Your Holy Spirit, so that there will be no spiritual void when the spirit of alcoholism vacates his life (Matthew 12:43-44).  Awaken my husband, Lord, so that he might see clearly the light of Your boundless love and that he might seek to walk in wisdom and no longer as a fool (Ephesians 5:14-15).

Finally, Lord, help my husband to stand in You and in the power of Your might, such that he can stand against the temptations and accusations of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-11).  Bless my husband, Lord; keep my husband, Lord, and make Your face and grace shine upon my husband, lifting up Your countenance upon him and giving him peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

I thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayer and delivering my husband from his alcoholism, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).  Amen.