A Prayer for Strength to Stop Drinking
A prayer for strength to stop drinking starts with admitting you don’t have that strength yourself. That isn’t defeat. It’s the truth God works with. Pray something like this: “Lord, I can’t stop on my own. I’ve tried. I’m asking You for strength I don’t have. Show me the next step and give me the courage to take it. Amen.” Then take that next step today.
A prayer for the strength to stop
“God, I’m tired. I’ve promised myself, my family and You that I’d stop, and I’ve broken every promise. I’m not going to make another big promise right now. I’m just asking for help.
Give me Your strength, because mine is gone. Take away the obsession, or carry me through it. Help me be honest with the people around me. Lead me to a doctor if I need one, to people who’ve walked this road, and to a church that will help me. When I want a drink, remind me of this prayer. When I fall, pick me up. I believe You can do what I can’t. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
God’s strength in weakness
Paul begged God to take away something that tormented him. God’s answer wasn’t to make Paul strong on his own.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
That’s good news for anyone who has failed to quit. Your weakness isn’t the obstacle to God’s help. It’s the place His help shows up.
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Why “strength” often looks like other people
When you pray for strength, expect God to answer in practical ways. Strength might look like:
- A doctor who helps you stop safely.
- A meeting where someone says out loud what you’ve been hiding.
- A friend who agrees to take your call at midnight.
- A pastor who listens without lecturing.
- A plan for the hour you usually drink.
The first of the Twelve Steps is admitting you are powerless over alcohol. The Step 1 prayer puts that into words. The Third Step prayer is where you hand your will and life to God.
Safety first. If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you quit.
The first few days
Pray every morning and every night. Tell at least one person what you’re doing. Get rid of the alcohol in your home. Plan your evenings. Eat and sleep. If you feel shaky, sweaty, confused or very sick, get medical help right away. For a practical plan, see how to quit drinking at home and talk to a doctor first.
If you’re afraid God is done with you, He isn’t. Read Will God forgive me for drinking?
Something to do today
Pray the prayer above out loud. Then do one thing before tonight: call your doctor, tell one person the truth, or look up a meeting near you. If you don’t know where to begin, start here.
Common questions
I've prayed to stop drinking before and it didn't work. Why?
Many people pray once and then try to do the rest alone. God's strength usually comes through daily prayer plus action: telling someone, going to meetings, getting medical help, changing routines. Keep praying, and add one of those.
Is it safe to just stop drinking?
Not always. If you've been drinking heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you stop, or go to the emergency room if you feel very sick.
Does needing help mean my faith is weak?
No. Asking for help is what faith looks like. Scripture is full of people who were strong only after admitting they were weak.
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