Author’s note: This post is a departure from my usual subject matter, but it’s important. As someone without personal experience with drug addiction, I’ve struggled with knowing how to help. It’s easy, without firsthand perspective, to say or do things that can make a situation worse instead of better. Finally, I realized that my most powerful weapon is prayer on behalf of people who can’t pray for themselves, in support of those on the front-lines of the addiction battle, and in defense of those victimized by it. Maybe you, too, have been wondering how to help without getting in the way or making things worse. If so, please join me. Prayer is a great first step. I need your help. We — my friends, neighbors, family members — need help to fight addiction in Washington County, Maine. Thanks for reading.
Someone in Maine dies every day of a drug overdose. And the risks as much as double during the holiday season. The reality and pain of drug addiction and alcoholism are all too familiar in our close-knit Washington County communities, where addiction has ripped two more of our loved ones away from us in the just the last few days. For every tragic death that makes headlines, dozens more of our friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, neighbors, spouses, parents, children are fighting — and too often losing — a minute-by-minute battle with addiction.
The battle rages everywhere — in our schools, in our homes, on our streets, in workplaces, and yes … even in our churches. Addiction seizes and doesn’t let go. We call it an epidemic and rightly so, because it is bigger, fiercer and more virulent than anything we’ve ever seen. Worse, perhaps, than cancer.
Yet as Christians, so many of us stand apart, wringing our hands, locking our doors and hoping addiction doesn’t break in in the night. Or hiding our shame from a church family we’re afraid might judge us.
But addiction is not so much a weakness as a war. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
To this war, we must bring the full armor of God — pitting our best prayer warriors against the enemy on behalf of those who struggle to fight for themselves. I don’t mean a Sunday-best prayer uttered from behind a pulpit … I mean a Jesus, James, or Peter kind of prayer, knees in the dirt, shackled to your brother, fervent til it bleeds imploring of Almighty God to overcome great evil in our hometowns and fierce affliction of our families.
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:13-16 ESV
“The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” as goes the version that etched into my heart as a little girl.
I believe that as Christians we can help those struggling with addiction. In fact, I believe God is the only answer for their suffering. I’m asking that churches across Washington County come together this holiday season to pray specifically for those suffering from addiction and mental illness, that they may be spared, healed and given the opportunity to find healing in Jesus Christ. God is working in Washington County — through organizations like Arise Addiction Recovery, Teen Challenge and Cityreach, through ministries in our jails and in our churches, and through individuals who stand in the gap every day. But He isn’t finished. There’s so much more to do.
There is power in prayer. The Bible tells us that where two or three are gathered in [Jesus’] name, there [He] is among them. (Matthew 18:30). Let’s create a prayer movement in our communities, in our county, on behalf of so many who need it this holiday season. Please join me to #PrayforWaCoMe between Thanksgiving and New Year’s to dedicate time in prayer on behalf of those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction or mental illness in Washington County.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:1-3 ESV
If your church is interested in hosting prayer groups or dedicating some time in your existing prayer meetings to pray for Washington County’s addiction epidemic and those affected by it, please email prayforWaCoMe@gmail.com with the name and contact information of your organization, as well as the meeting time and location of your prayer group. We will compile all of the meetings in the area into a common schedule to share throughout the community for those who wish to attend.
If you or someone you care about needs help coping with addiction, and you wish to pray for them or to ask for prayer on their behalf either anonymously or by name, please email prayforWaCoMe@gmail.com.