14 Prayers for Addiction for People You Love

Do you know someone who’s battling addiction? In this article, I’m sharing 14 prayers for addiction, to pray for those you love. Prayer is one of our most powerful weapons as intercessors. Read on for encouraging prayers against addiction and learn how to pray for addiction.

For more help, check out these articles: Powerful Bible Verses to Overcome Addiction, Important Bible Verses About Alcohol Addiction, and Family Support for Alcohol Addiction: 3 Things You Need to Know

How to pray for addiction

As of 2023, it’s estimated that 48.5 million (16.7%) Americans (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder within the previous year. From alcohol addiction to sex addiction, drugs, pornography, and more, the impact of addiction is devastatingly huge.

That’s why, as Christians, it’s crucial that we make prayers for addiction part of our regular prayer time. Especially when you’re a family affected by addiction– your prayers matter!

To pray for addiction isn’t always easy, but necessary. Here’s 3 tips for praying for addiction:

1. Be sure to find a quiet place away from any distractions. This can be a bedroom, prayer closet, or even in a parked car.
2. Write these prayers down, print them out, and hang them in a place you can see every day. This will help remind you of what to pray for specifically.
3. Find time daily to pray over your addicted loved one, and pray out loud. There is power in the spoken word!

For more on praying and overcoming spiritual battles, be sure to sign up for my free 30-day Spiritual Battle email series here.

Praying for your addicted loved one

Biblically speaking, praying for your addicted loved one is known as intercession.

Intercession happens when you pray on behalf of others. You’re “standing in the gap” and praying for them, when they can’t pray for themselves. And when someone is addicted to drugs, alcohol, or other addictive substances, you may feel God calling you to “stand in the gap” for them.

This can be demonstrated in Genesis 18, when Abraham intercedes for Sodom.

22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

In this case, Abraham was interceding on behalf of the righteous who were among the wicked in Sodom. He had compassion and asked God to spare the people from destruction.

Our addicted loved ones may not be “righteous,” but that doesn’t mean we can’t have compassion for them and act as intercessors on their behalf in prayer. Below are 14 prayers for addiction that you can pray over your addicted loved ones, addicted husband/wife, addicted son/daughter, addicted brother/sister, and friend.

The important thing is to pray, no matter how long it takes or how bad it looks. Never give up praying for the people you love!

Prayers for addiction

Prayer to beat addiction

Dear Father, I come to you on behalf of (person’s name). You know they’re struggling to beat this addiction to (name addiction). I’m standing as an intercessor, praying on their behalf, that you would help them overcome this battle. Your word says in John 4:14 that those who come to you will never thirst again, because they will be drinking living water. I pray that you would lead them to you, so they can drink from your well and never thirst again for this addiction. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayers for deliverance from addiction

Father God, I’m praying for deliverance from addiction for (person’s name). Thank you for delivering them out of the darkness and into the light. Thank you for shielding them from the works of the enemy, for pulling them out of the pit, for placing them on solid ground, and delivering them from this addiction. You break chains– break the bondage of this addiction that’s trying to hold onto them, right now in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for addiction healing

Father, I’m asking on behalf of (person’s name) today that you would heal them from this addiction to (name addiction). Just as you allowed Lazerus to rise from the grave and be healed after 4 days in the tomb, I’m asking that you would heal (name) and allow them to rise and be FULLY HEALED from any of the damage this addiction has caused. Bind up their wounds, heal their heart Lord, and allow them to walk fully in your perfect will for their life. Let their healing from this addiction serve as a walking testimony of your love, grace, and resurrection power. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for the addict who still suffers

Lord, thank you for your compassion, mercy, and grace on (person’s name) and this battle with addiction. Father, you know how they’re struggling to quit (name addiction). I ask that you would change their heart Lord and give them a new spirit, according to Ezekiel 36:26. Change their desires, so that their desires match your desires. That they would run fiercely after you, serve you, and seek you in all ways, instead of this addiction. Ease their suffering and heal them from the inside out, so that others may see Christ through them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer against addiction

Prayer for alcohol addiction

Father, your word warns against drunkenness, that it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper in Proverbs 23:32. I’m asking that you would bind the spirit of addiction from (person’s name) and loose the spirit of sobriety in Jesus’ name. Lord, allow their eyes to be opened. Allow your word to sink into their hearts as an antivenom, curing them from this alcohol addiction and releasing them from bondage. Lead them to repentance and a full recovery that brings you glory Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for drug addict

I’m coming to you today Father on behalf of (person’s name). Thank you for breaking these chains of drug addiction off of (name), for binding the spirit of addiction and pride, and for loosing the spirit of sobriety and humbleness, in Jesus’ name. Just as Jesus healed the blind man in Luke 18:35-43, I ask that you would open their eyes and allow them to see this addiction for what it is…a prison cell. Let them not be overcome with shame but see the true hope and life that is in you Jesus. Provide them with a way to escape this drug addiction and make a full recovery. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for sexual addiction

Father, we know that your word warns many times against sexual immorality, as in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. Thank you for breaking the chains of sex addiction off of (person’s name). I ask that you would cleanse their heart and mind, freeing them from images, thoughts, and memories of sexual immorality. You created sex as an act to be shared between a husband and wife; Father, allow them to see the beauty and purity of sex within a marriage, and not one that is perverted and adulterous. Lead them to repentance and a pure heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for lust addiction

Dear Lord, many people struggle with lust and pornography, which is a trap of the enemy. I ask that you would come into the heart of (person’s name) and allow them to see pornography for what it is: perverted, immoral, and a demonic lie. Heal their heart and mind from images and expectations that cannot be filled with more pornography. Replace their heart with a new heart that is pure and not lustful, in accordance with Ezekiel 36:26. Allow them to see the beauty in others, instead of looking at them with lustful intent. Lead them to people that can help them heal from this addiction and not fuel it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for addiction to cigarettes or vaping

Father, your word says that our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, according to 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. I ask that you would cleanse the body of (person’s name) and heal them from this cigarette/vape addiction, that is only bringing death to their body. Help them to replace this addiction with an addiction to YOU Father, and your word. Renew their spirit Lord and break the bonds they have with smoking cigarettes or vaping. Help them to view their body as you view it Lord, not as flesh alone but as a vessel for your Spirit to work through them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayers for addict

Prayer for an addicted loved one

Lord, I’m on praying on behalf of (person’s name), who is addicted to (name addiction). Your word says anything we ask in your name you will do it, according to John 14:14. Your word also says in 2 Peter 3:9 that you are not willing that any shall perish, but that all should come to repentance. I’m praying that you would lead (name) to repentance, that they would lay their addiction at your feet and walk in your way Father. Thank you Father. Thank you for loving them, guiding them, and leading them into your loving arms. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for husband (or wife) with addiction

Father, I’m praying for intervention on behalf of my husband (or wife) with addiction. Your word says in Genesis 2:24 and again in Mark 10:6-7 that a husband and wife shall be one flesh; that a man should hold fast to his wife, not an addiction. Thank you Father for healing my marriage that has been affected (and infected) by addiction. Where there is hurt, bring healing. Where there is pride, bring humbleness. Allow us to see each other, not as the world sees, but as you see us, Lord. Free my husband (or wife) from this addiction and give us a new marriage that is founded on you. Allow our marriage to be a living testimony of your wonder-working power and endless love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for drug addiction son (or daughter)

Lord, your word says you are the Good Shepherd, that you leave the 99 to go after the one, according to Matthew 18:12-14. My child has fallen away from you, and I’m asking that you run after them fiercely, in Jesus’ name. Just like the prodigal son in the pigpen, have my addicted son (or daughter) come to the end of themselves. Allow this experience to open their eyes, and cause them to run back to you Father. Your word says we are new creations in Christ– make them a new creation in You, Lord. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for addicted brother (or sister)

Lord, I’m coming to you with a heavy heart over my brother (or sister) that struggles with addiction. It’s hard for me to know or see all the moving parts but I do know that you have the ability to heal anyone at any time. I’m asking that you would heal my sibling of all their addictions and hurts. Lead them as a shepherd leads his sheep, to your pasture which is overflowing with milk and honey. Work in their heart Father, and heal them from the inside out. Restore our relationship and all that has been damaged by this addiction. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer for addiction for a friend

Father, I’m praying on behalf of my friend (name), who’s trapped in the of bondage of addiction. Your word says nothing is too hard for you. I’m asking that you would break the chains of addiction from (name), and lead them into a life that brings glory to you Father. Help me to be the friend you want me to be for them during this time, as it says in Proverbs 17:17. Show them how much you love them, and give them a testimony that will lead more people to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Final thoughts

It can be to difficult to speak prayers for addiction over someone who doesn’t seem to want help. But as intercessors, it’s our job to “stand in the gap” for others. Not only so they quit the addiction, but ultimately so they turn to God in repentance.

Even at the point of death

Here’s an example. In Mark 5, we can read about the father that acted as an intercessor to his daughter, starting in verse 21:

²¹ And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. ²² Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet ²³ and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” ²⁴ And he went with him.

The scripture doesn’t say why she was at the point of death; only that she was. We can only assume that it’s some kind of illness. But I believe there’s a lot we can pull from this story when it comes to praying for an addicted loved one.

You see, continuing in verse 35, we read how people doubted this little girl could be saved. Some even said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

But that’s when Jesus entered the house, took the child’s father and mother, and went to the child’s side.

⁴¹ Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

Jesus can reach anyone

The point: Other people may scoff when you run to Jesus to save your daughter (or son, husband, wife, friend, etc.).

But Jesus clearly states in verse 36, “Do not fear, only believe.”

We have to BELIEVE that Jesus will reach our addicted loved ones. We have to stand as intercessors, praying on their behalf, even when they are at the point of death. And we have to trust God that He hears our prayers and will act on our behalf.

1 Corinthians 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Don’t give up praying, hoping, or believing.

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