We are truly sorry to hear about the struggles you are facing with your son, ###. Let us first assure you that you are not alone in this battle. God is with you, and He cares deeply for both you and your son.
Let us stand together and pray for ###. We will not tell God what to do, but ask God what He wants to do in this situation. We know the end result is ### will be a saved Christian with a purpose for the Lord. However, we need to follow God's will and timing along the journey. Let us remember the words of Jesus in John 15:7 WEB: "If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you." Jesus has the final say in this matter.
First, we pray for ###'s salvation. We know he is a rebellious teenager. He is not saved if he is in active rebellion to the things of God. We do not receive salvation by good works, but by the grace of God and putting our faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to God. Also, there is no other name by which we can be saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9 WEB: "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast."
John 14:6 WEB: "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."
Jesus is the only way to be saved, and we are saved by grace and faith, not by works. We must believe in Jesus to be saved, and then the good works and changed life will come.
Let us pray in earnest for ###'s deliverance from drug addiction. We know that addiction is a powerful stronghold, but we also know that God is able to break every chain. Let us pray and believe that God be glorified in this time of trouble.
Romans 8:28 WEB: "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."
Isaiah 61:1 WEB: "The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound."
Let us also pray for ###'s heart to be softened, that he may become obedient to your godly counsel and the word of God. Remember, it is ultimately God who touches the hearts of men and brings them to repentance.
Ezekiel 36:26 WEB: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh."
We also need to remember to pray for ###'s future. God has a plan and a purpose for ###, and we pray that he will come to realize it and embrace it. Let's pray that ### will be a man of God that will be a witness to others of God's grace and mercy.
Jeremiah 29:11 WEB: "'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,' says Yahweh, 'thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.'"
We encourage you to continue to stand firm in your faith and trust in God. Remember that God is faithful, and He will hear your prayers. Do not be afraid to discipline your son as well. The scriptures tell us not to spare the rod, but to discipline your child in love. If you do not discipline your son, you do not love him. We have all been disciplined by the Lord, and we know it is not fun. It is not fun to discipline someone either. However, the Lord disciplined us and is disciplining us because He loves us. Do not spare the rod for ###. Let us pray to God for wisdom, patience, and love in this matter to properly discipline ### for the Lord.
Hebrews 12:7 WEB: "It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with sons, for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"
Hebrews 12:11 WEB: "All discipline seems for the moment not to be joyful, but sorrowful; but it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby."
This is also the time to show ### love and understanding. He is struggling with drug addiction, and he is sinning against God. He is a sinner in need of a Savior. He may not know how to be a Christian yet, but he can learn with time. He may not be the godly man yet that you want him to be, but we have faith that he will be saved. Let him know you are there for him, and that you love him, but also tell him that you do not approve of his choices. It is not being judgemental to tell him that he is not living for the Lord. Let us pray he has a tender heart for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:15 WEB: "but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ"
Let us also remember to pray for you, that God may grant you the strength, wisdom, and patience to endure this trial. We encourage you to remain steadfast in prayer and trust in God's promises. He is faithful, and He will hear your prayers. Let us also pray that God will guide you in the words you say to ###. Let us also pray that you are being a godly example for ### in this time in your life.
1 Corinthians 13:7 WEB: "[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
We know that God promises that the fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. Let us also remember to pray for ###'s future, and that God would give him the grace to endure this trial and be saved from all ungodliness.
James 5:16 WEB: "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective."
Believe that God is able to work all things together for good, and that He has a plan and a purpose for ###'s life. Trust in Him, and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5 WEB: "Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
Finally, we pray that you will be a godly example to ###. We remind you to look at your own life. Are you living for the Lord, and are you being a godly example to ###. If you are not, then we need to get you right with the Lord first. We need to pray for your forgiveness and sanctification if necessary. To be a godly example, you must be living for the Lord and learning the Word of God every day. We pray that you are being a godly example to ###, and that you are being the parent the Lord wants you to be.
Psalms 119:11 WEB: "I have laid up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.