FREEDOM FROM ADDICTIONS

SUN 6 O God, please help people living with an addiction to have the strength to seek help and identify its underlying causes - through counselling, medical and psychiatric care, recovery groups, friends and family. Above all may they call upon You for mercy and healing. By Your grace. Amen.

MON 7 Father, we remember the partners, families and friends of those who are gripped by an addiction. Please grant them wisdom, courage and hope in their pain so they can give the appropriate support. Through the compassion of Christ. Amen.

TUES 8 Dear Lord, we pray for effective age-verification and other measures to protect children from online harm from predators, gambling, pornography and material seeking to radicalise and incite self-harm to be implemented soon. In Your mercy. Amen.

WED 9 Merciful Saviour, we pray about the growing acceptance and availability of gambling activities in relation to sport, online games, lottery tickets and in betting shops, often targeting those who can least afford it. May there be a change in attitude throughout society. According to Your grace and truth. Amen.

‘If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.’ 1

CORINTHIANS

10:12,13 (NLT)

THURS 10 Lord, thank You that there is help at hand for people who are trapped in an addiction. May more resources be made available; through gambling firms’ financial contributions, NHS and other therapeutic services and by better laws to protect vulnerable people. Amen.

FRI 11 Lord, we thank You for everyone who has broken free from a harmful addiction and has a story that can encourage others. Please help them to persist with their decision to stop and continue to accept support through counselling, mentoring and accountability relationships. By Your grace. Amen.

SAT 12 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

Loving Father, we pray for young people who are being drawn into habits that may become harmfully addictive; substance abuse, pornography, gambling, excessive internet use and gaming, and other activities that sap their energy and put them at risk. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A 2022 YouGov poll revealed a sharp increase in addiction since Covid and the deepening cost of living crisis. Anxiety and stress have led to relapse or turning to drinking, drugs or gambling. Potentially addictive behaviours are becoming more commonplace in public spaces, educational settings and sporting and other leisure venues.