Lord Jesus, you are the one who came to set captives free.
Today we pray for all among us who are slaves to addictions,
fettered in body and mind to behaviours that destroy.
We call out for one more;
one more bet, one more illicit meeting,
one more cigarette, one more snack,
one more year of working this hard,
one more hit, one more downloaded picture,
one more meal to be purged,
one more little drink that won’t hurt anyone.
Open our eyes to the chains that bind us
and the destruction it is causing in our lives
and the lives of those we love.
Spirit of God, Spirit of Truth,
give courage and wisdom to those who walk
with people who are addicted;
give courage to confront,
and wisdom to know how and when to intervene.
Thank you for the resources of our society;
for counsellors and treatment centres
for doctors and hospitals and clinics.
Most of all, God of creation,
we give thanks for the way you see us–
made in your image, capable of choosing life,
and living life abundantly.
We can do this through the power of your son Jesus
who is Immanuel, God with us,
even in the darkest prison of addiction. Amen.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.