Prayers for alcoholism, alcohol addiction, and alcohol dependency can be useful tools in your sobriety journey to quitting alcohol.  If you depend on alcohol to cope with problems, relieve stress, or have a good time, you’re not alone.  The occasional glass (or two) of wine to unwind after a long day is now a daily habit for many women.  And for many college women, throwing back a few shots at a bar or attending a kegger is seen as just a part of college life.

So, why are we concerned about heavy drinking among women?  Well, alcoholism is a serious and debilitating disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Furthermore, in recent years, teen girls and young women in their early 20s are drinking more heavily and getting drunk more than their male counterparts.  Furthermore, alcohol consumption rose significantly during the pandemic.  Notably, heavy drinking by women increased by 41%.  Heavy drinking was defined as four or more drinks in a few hours.

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, recovery can often seem impossible. Undeniably, traditional rehab treatments such as therapy and medication can be effective. However, many people also use prayer and other spiritual-based programs to overcome their addiction to alcohol.

Prayer has long been recognized as a powerful tool for healing and transformation. Indeed, there are many powerful prayers that you can repeat when you don’t have the right words. In this blog post, we will explore the role of prayer in alcohol addiction recovery. We also provide 12 short prayers to help support you on your journey.

Short-Term Health Risk of Binge-Drinking Alcohol for Women

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the short-term risks due to alcohol abuse include:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Sexual assault by one or multiple people
• Unintended pregnancy due to unprotected sex
• Exposure to sexually transmitted diseases due to unprotected sex
• Miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders among pregnant women
• Unintended accidents and injuries (e.g., burns, falls, vehicle crashes, and drownings)
• Suicide
• Homicide and intimate partner (domestic) violence

Long-Term Health Risks of Alcohol Addiction for Women

In addition to the short-term risks, the long-term risks of alcohol addiction in women include:

• Brain damage and cognitive impairment
• Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues
• Poor school and job performance
• Cardiovascular disease (e.g., hypertension, stroke, and heart disease)
• Ulcers of the esophagus and stomach
• Cancer of the throat, esophagus, and stomach
• Cancer of the colon, rectum, and breast
• Cirrhosis of the liver

How Prayers for Alcoholism Can Help

Studies show that people pray to cope with sadness, loneliness, anxiety, grief, and feelings of hopelessness.  Interestingly, there was a 50% increase in online searches for prayers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  In fact, the highest recorded Google search for prayers occurred in March 2020. 

Now, it is important to state that recovering from alcoholism, alcohol addiction, and alcohol dependency is a life-long struggle for many people. Furthermore, the treatment varies depending on family history, childhood, and other traumatic life events. An extensive literature review of studies on Alcoholics Anonymous found that the worldwide fellowship helped more people achieve sobriety than therapy. And that’s great news.

If you are a person of faith, using these short prayers for alcoholism, alcohol addiction, or alcohol dependency can strengthen your faith and build resilience. They can be used alongside a 12-step program as well as in-patient and outpatient therapy.

Prayer One

God, who loves me as a Father and a Mother, I’ve struggled with alcohol for a very long time.  And, it has finally brought me to my knees.  When I took my first drink to have fun and fit in, you saw me.  Today, I finally admit that I am powerless over my alcohol addiction.  I take the first step by confessing that I drink when I’m stressed, tired, bored, overwhelmed, and lonely. Please show me where to get the help that I need to begin the healing.  Amen.

Prayer Two

Heavenly Father, I’ve tried to cut back on my drinking so many times.   Deep in my heart, I know that my thirst is not for a glass of wine or can of beer but for you.  Heal my anxious, obsessive thoughts.  I give you my alcohol addiction and lay it at your feet.  Give me a thirst for you and a relationship with you.  Restore my sanity and heal my spirit. Amen.

Prayer Three

Restorer of Broken Vessels, I have nothing to offer you but myself.  It is hard to admit that I am broken and imperfect. Drinking cannot heal the loneliness, fix the pain, or soothe the places where I hurt.  Despite this, you gaze on me with loving eyes.  You see me as a beautiful masterpiece because you created me in your image.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will rebuild me according to your purpose and will for my life.  Show me the lessons that I must learn to have victory over my drinking and alcohol addiction.  Amen.

Prayer Four

Gracious God, please remove my feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.  Sometimes, I feel like this hunger and thirst for alcohol will consume me.  It’s with me in the morning, evening, and throughout the day.  It’s all I can think about.  When a craving comes, my hands shake, and my mouth waters. I yearn to be free.  Help me to breathe and know that this craving will pass.  It, too, shall pass.  Amen.

Prayer Five

Comforter, as I lay my head on your shoulders, I feel your heart beating to the same rhythm as mine.  And, when I gaze into your eyes, I know that you are calling me out and calling me up.  I avoided your eyes and hung my head in shame in the past.  But today, I hold your gaze and ask you for strength to stay on my journey to sobriety.  I pray this in your Holy name. Amen.

Prayer Six

Giver of Wisdom, show me the people who need to support me and hold me accountable for my drinking.  I cannot conquer drinking without my trusted friends and family members’ embrace, presence, and prayers.  I want to stop drinking and embrace the freedom of being vulnerable and honest to others.  Amen.

Prayer Seven

God, I’ve taken my last drink–again.   This person is not me.  You created me for so much more.   I’ve kept all my feelings to myself, but the pressure never lets up.  I need to feel my feelings—sit with the pain, cry over the disappointments, and understand my guilt.   Whatever I’m going through, I will give it to you.  I sacrifice my pride for the rest and peace your Word and presence provide.  I put this spiritual warfare in the hands of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer Eight

Joy Giver, I celebrate the progress that I’ve made.  Yes, it’s only been a few days since I’ve had a drop of alcohol, but it is still progress.  You began a good work in me and planted a seed that will bloom into a plant with deep roots and healthy branches.  I confidently declare that you will complete this work in me for your honor and glory.  Help me to enjoy everything that today offers.  I am a work in progress, and celebrate the beauty inside and outside of me. Amen.

Prayer Nine

Lord, I blamed people and circumstances for why I drank so much in the past.  I used alcohol as a quick fix for comfort and a patch for my hidden wounds.  As part of my recovery and healing, I will write my fears, doubts, disappointments, and weaknesses in my journal.  I will also share them with a trusted friend that I am addicted to alcohol.  However, I will also count my blessings and celebrate my progress.  Amen.

Prayer Ten

Lord Jesus Christ, sometimes I can’t control my drinking.  I often drink until I lose control, pass out, or someone stops me from hurting myself or others.  I admit that my drinking problem is not a “little thing” that I do.  Instead, it is how I cope when bored and stressed.  And, to make it worse, I can’t look myself in the mirror because I feel like a failure.  Help me to speak gently and kindly to myself when I lose control. Thank you for loving me, especially on the days when I struggle to love and like myself.  Amen.

Prayer Eleven

Promise Keeper, it’s so easy to forget who I am and whose I am in a moment of weakness.  Please help me to claim your promises and be true to my values to stay on track.  I yearn to be sober and break free from this disease.  Indeed, I pray that you would give me the strength to turn away from drinking alcohol. I want to live abundantly. Grant me the peace that comes from honoring my body as your temple.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer Twelve

Giver of Hope, I give you all of me. I have been struggling with alcoholism for a long time. Yet, you continue to show me where I need to trust you and where I need healing.  You smile and cheer me on when I am obedient.  And when I am my own worst enemy and choose alcohol as my comforter, you offer forgiveness and grace.  Continue to strengthen me and guide as I do your will.  Amen. 

Now, It’s Your Turn

Well, I hope that you will use these short prayers for alcoholism, alcohol addiction, and alcohol dependency as one of the tools in your sobriety journey.  Whether you are struggling with alcoholism or supporting someone who is, we hope these prayers will bring comfort, strength, and hope.

These short prayers work well with AA or other treatment programs your healthcare provider recommends.  Repeat one or more of them throughout the day.  I think you will also benefit from reading 10 Short Prayers for Healing Stress Eating,  10 short prayers for weight loss, overeating, and food addiction,  13 daily affirmations for weight loss, 9 beautiful Black queen quotes about loving your body, and 9 empowering quotes on being fearless. 

Please share one of your favorite prayers with us in the comment section.

We look forward to hearing about your experience with using affirmations.  And you can join the conversation on the Keep It Tight Sisters Facebook Page.

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