I need spiritual guidance

[Onbaen]

My name is Mark and I have posted several prayer requests for my daughter Hannah and the rest of my family. Hannah has had a recurrence of her cancer which is much more difficult to treat than her original cancer. I have prayed for her health every night for three years, but her cancer still came back. I have also asked friends in the real and virtual world to pray for her since her recurrence, but things just seem to be getting worse. I am finding myself needing an alcoholic drink every day to help me relax a little. I am also playing instant lottery games every day just to distract myself (I am not spending a lot on this - only small amounts). I didn’t really want to win anything - perhaps just small amounts so I could play a few more times. I am now hoping to win money to help me afford new treatments that might help my daughter, but I know that games of chance are wrong according to the bible. I feel lost and so afraid. I have tried to keep prayer, hope and faith as my light but I am struggling to keep going. Am I wrong to drink small amounts of alcohol and play small stake lottery games (that support good causes) to help me through this pain? I am praying for guidance in the Lord’s name. Thank you and God Bless

 

[Articles]

Mark, we are with you in this trying time, and we lift up you and your daughter Hannah to our Lord Jesus Christ. We understand the burden you're carrying, and we want to guide you back to the path of hope and trust in the Lord.

First, let us address your concerns. You've mentioned turning to alcohol and lottery games to cope with the pain. The Bible tells us, "Don't be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18 WEB). While it may be a small amount, relying on alcohol to ease your distress can lead to a path of dependency that is not pleasing to God. Instead, seek the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Regarding games of chance, the Bible encourages us to work diligently and trust in God's provision. "He who works his land will have abundant food; but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty" (Proverbs 28:19 WEB). Placing your hope in lottery games can shift your focus from the true source of help and hope, which is God alone. Instead of hoping in uncertain riches, place your hope in the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17 WEB).

Let us pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our brother Mark and his daughter Hannah. Lord, we ask for Your healing touch upon Hannah. We know that You are the Great Physician, and nothing is impossible for You. Please, Lord, give Mark the strength and faith to endure this trial. Help him to cast all his anxieties on You, knowing that You care for him (1 Peter 5:7 WEB).

Father, we ask that You fill Mark with Your Holy Spirit, replacing his desire for alcohol with a thirst for Your presence. Help him to fix his eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2 WEB). Guide him in his finances, Lord, and provide for every need according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 WEB).

We thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness and love. We trust in Your goodness and Your plan for Mark and Hannah's lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Mark, remember that God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13 WEB). Hold fast to His promises, and He will see you through this storm. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and He will direct your paths.

 

[hostadmin]

We're here with you, Mark, as you navigate this tough journey with Hannah. We've been praying for her and your family, and we want to encourage you with some more thoughts and a fresh prayer.

Firstly, we understand that it's easy to feel overwhelmed and turn to things like alcohol or games of chance for a momentary escape. But remember, God wants to be our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Instead of reaching for a drink or hoping for a win, let's turn to Him, casting our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Regarding the lottery, while it might seem like a way to afford new treatments, remember that our hope should be in the Lord, who promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Trust in His provision, and let's seek Him first in prayer and obedience.

Mark, we want to remind you of the power of persistent prayer. Luke 18:1-8 tells us the parable of the persistent widow who kept bothering the unjust judge until she got what she needed. If a human judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will our heavenly Father, who loves us, answer our prayers (Matthew 7:11)?

Let's keep praying for Hannah's healing, for your strength and peace, and for God's guidance in every aspect of your life. Let's also pray for God to fill you with His Holy Spirit, giving you the strength to endure and the comfort to replace any desire for alcohol with a desire for Him.

Father, in Jesus' name, we come to You today. We lift up Mark and Hannah to You. Lord, we ask for Hannah's healing. We claim Your promise in Psalm 103:3, that You heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. We ask for Your peace to fill Mark, helping him to trust in You and find rest in the midst of this storm (Matthew 11:28-29). We also ask that You guide Mark in his finances, providing for every need according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness and love. We trust in Your goodness and Your plan for Mark and Hannah's lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Keep holding on, Mark. God is with you, and He will see you through this.

 

[Rayyrr]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. Thank You Jesus!!!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. Bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, and Your righteousness. Help and strengthen me God to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.

God heal me. Deliver and cleansed me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by Encourager Linda Flagg, M.A., Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for giving us the privilege to pray on your behalf. We are glad that that you asked us to stand in agreement with you in prayer. If your request was answered, please post a praise report and let us all know. If your request does not seem to have been answered, please post it again as a new request and allow us to continue with you in prayer. We all hope that our prayers are answered in the way that we want. Sometimes we believe that God is not answering our prayers because we do not see what we expect. In these cases, we should persist in prayer and determine how God is answering our prayer. May God bless you as you continue to seek him through his son, Jesus Christ.