Devotional by Alison Giblett from the ISAAC International Steering Group

ISAAC unites Christians working in the field of addiction. I use the term addiction in a broad sense, to include all of us who have persistent destructive coping behaviours.

Setting captives free is the ministry which God has called all of us to. In Luke 4:18, reading from Isaiah 61:1-3, Jesus said:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the captives and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”

In a way, all these actions relate to the broad field of addiction ministry. This was Jesus’ calling, which He also passed on to us as His disciples in Mark 16:15:

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”.

We are all working in different locations and using different methods in very different contexts. Some are working in large centres with a strong staff team and resources. Others are working in isolation with no funding. Some may be personally seeking to help addicted friends or family out of the trap they are in, or may be the only Christian working in a government programme. 

Through ISAAC, we are all united by our love for God and our calling to help set the captives free.

Why am I motivated to facilitate monthly prayer?

1. Setting people free from addiction is spiritual warfare:
   • Addiction takes first place in the person’s life, their attention and resources. It can destroy all other relationships, particularly their relationship with God.
   • People who have destructive compulsive behaviours increasingly come under the control of the enemy, changing their morals, values and character. He is not willing to let them go easily. This vast contrast is well described by Paul in Galatians 5:16-23, between the fruit of the Spirit and the work of the flesh.
   • In order to sustain their compulsive behaviours, addicts become slaves to the rituals needed to appease their cravings. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:12: “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.“
   • People will not be completely free through simply using physical or psychological approaches. We all need God’s forgiveness and restoration. Only God can change the human heart, from a heart full of selfishness, to a heart filled with His overflowing love.
2. I believe there is power in prayer and particularly in united prayer.
   • As Jesus told us in Matthew 18:19-20: “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
   • Through all my life as a Christian, and in particular living through the last 3.5 years of war in Ukraine, I know God hears and answers our prayers. However, His response is often not with our approach or in our desired time frame. Isaiah 55:8-9 says: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.‘”
3. We all have different periods in life, when things are going well, and when they are not, but there will always be times when we need support.
   • Romans 15:1,2 says: “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up.”
   • Hebrews 12:12 encourages us: “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.“
4. As I explained in the beginning, we are all working in different countries and contexts but the love of Christ unites us.
   • As we share our joys and struggles it brings unity. We feel like we are part of a worldwide family. Paul told us in Galatians 6:2 to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.” 
   • In John 13:34 Jesus said “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This is a standard that none of us have yet reached. 
   • His encouragement in John 13:35 is that “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Details about how to join the monthly prayer calls are here.

Requirements for participation of ISAAC members

1. Sacrifice time (at least one hour a month) out of your busy schedules.
2. Faith in God and His desire to answer our prayers. John 15:7 says: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.“
3.  A caring heart. In Philippians 2:3-4 we are called “in humility (to) value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.“
4.  Practically, participants need sufficient internet access to connect online, preferably with cameras on for relationship building.

My prayer is that as we regularly unite in prayer together, we will all be strengthened and encouraged as we see God answering our prayers. In this way we will achieve at least two areas of ISAAC’s calling: to Connect and Encourage.