A Prayer for My Daughter Who Drinks
A prayer for your daughter who drinks puts her in God’s hands when she won’t let you near her problem. Pray for her safety, her freedom and her children if she has them, and pray for yourself, because loving a daughter in active drinking wears a parent down. Try this short prayer first: “Lord, my girl is drinking herself into trouble. Protect her. Wake her up gently if You can, and firmly if You must. Bring her back to You. Amen.”
If she’s in danger: if she can’t be woken, is breathing badly or may have taken pills with alcohol, call 911. If she talks about suicide, call or text 988. If someone is hurting her, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.
A prayer for my daughter
“Father, You made my daughter and You knew her before I ever held her. I’m frightened for her. She hides how much she drinks, or she doesn’t bother hiding it anymore, and I don’t know which is worse.
Watch over her tonight. Keep her out of a car when she’s been drinking. Keep her away from men who would use her when she’s not herself. Guard her body, her mind and her heart.
Let her see herself the way You see her: worth saving, worth loving. Strip away the lie that she needs a drink to cope, to sleep, to feel brave or to fit in. Send her a friend who has been there and got free. When she reaches for help, let it be there. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
A prayer for her children
“Lord, protect my grandchildren. Give them safe adults, steady meals and a calm place to sleep. Don’t let them believe any of this is their fault. Show me what my part is in caring for them. Amen.”
A prayer for me as her parent
“God, I keep replaying her childhood, looking for where it went wrong. Take that weight off me. Help me stop rescuing her from every result of her drinking, and help me never stop loving her. When she calls, give me words that are true and kind. When she doesn’t, give me peace. Amen.”
Scripture for a parent who waits
God speaks of His love for His people with a mother’s tenderness.
““Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
You may forget to eat, forget to sleep, forget everything but her. God doesn’t forget her either, and He doesn’t forget you.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Loving her without carrying her
- Tell her what you see. “I’ve noticed you drink every time we’re together, and I’m worried.”
- Stop covering for her. With her husband, her boss or the rest of the family.
- Pay for needs, not cash. Groceries, a doctor’s bill, a ride to a meeting.
- Get support yourself. A family recovery group, your pastor, a counselor, or a trusted friend.
Read enabling vs. loving for help drawing those lines. If you’re a parent of a son as well, the prayer for my son with addiction is written for him.
If she decides to stop drinking, she should see a doctor before she stops. Quitting suddenly after heavy drinking can be dangerous.
Safety first. If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you quit.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
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Something to do this week
Pray these prayers each night. Write her a short note, not a lecture, that says you love her and you’ll help her get help whenever she wants it. Then find one place where you can be honest about how you’re doing.
Common questions
What if my daughter has children?
Their safety comes first. If you believe the kids are in danger when she drinks, you can step in to keep them safe, and in some cases that means calling child protective services or the police. Praying for her and protecting them aren't opposites.
Should I keep wine in my house when she visits?
It's kind to take it out of sight, and if she's trying to stop, it's wise. Ask her what would help. Don't make her sobriety depend on your kitchen, but don't make it harder either.
How do I talk to her without a fight?
Pick a sober moment, say what you've seen in plain words, say you love her, and ask one question. Then listen. Our family pages cover this in more detail.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
Jimmy and Sarah are AI sponsors who know the Twelve Steps and the Bible. They'll listen, walk the steps with you, and keep pointing you to real people: a meeting, a sponsor, a church.
Free to download · first month free, no card · adults 18+
After the first month, talking with Jimmy or Sarah needs Plus ($9.99/month or $59.99/year).
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