Prayer Devotional: Author Patrick Posser. Edited by Claire Carter

A quote from David Partington, ISAAC’s first General Secretary, appears on our website. It simply says:

“Addictions recovery is one of the toughest ministries in the Kingdom.”

Most of us don’t need convincing of that truth. We see it every day.

We meet men and women desperately seeking recovery. We walk alongside people who are fearful of change, uncertain whether they can make it through another day, another week, or another setback. We see the revolving door that takes people from addiction to sobriety and sometimes back again. We witness the pain, the disappointments, the victories, and the miracles.

It is challenging work. And yet, in the midst of that reality, I find myself drawn again and again to Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1.

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:16)

Before Paul begins praying, he says something remarkable. He tells the believers that he has heard about their faith and their love for God’s people. Without social media, without the internet, without modern communication, word had reached him about what God was doing among them.

That reminds me of something important. God knows about you.

He knows about your ministry, your family, your joys, your disappointments, your struggles, and your victories. He knows the people you serve. He knows the burdens you carry and the prayers you pray when nobody else hears them.

And just as Paul gave thanks for the believers in Ephesus, I believe the Lord delights in the faithful service of His people today.

Paul then prays three things that I believe are just as relevant for us in addiction recovery ministry as they were for the early church.

First, he prays for wisdom and revelation.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

What a prayer.

In a world full of competing voices, opinions, needs, and demands, how desperately we need God’s wisdom. We need discernment to know what He is saying and where He is leading.

We need wisdom not only to understand the people we serve, but to understand the heart of God Himself.

As we know Him better, we begin to see people more as He sees them. The Spirit opens our eyes to things that cannot be understood through human wisdom alone. He gives us discernment, compassion, patience, and insight.

How can we be wise as serpents and gentle as doves? Only through the wisdom that God gives.

Second, Paul prays that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened.

“That you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

This is not wishful thinking. This is certain hope.

The hope Paul speaks about is rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is the assurance that we belong to Him and that His promises will not fail.

There are days when doubts creep in. There are seasons when ministry feels difficult and progress seems slow. There are moments when we wonder whether anything is changing at all.

That is why Paul’s prayer matters so much.

“Open their eyes, Lord.”

Help us to see the hope we already possess. Help us to remember the inheritance we have in Christ. Help us to live as people whose future is secure in Him.

And third, Paul prays that we may know God’s incomparably great power.

“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.”

Pause for a moment and take that in.

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in those who believe.

The resurrection changed history forever. It remains the greatest demonstration of God’s power the world has ever seen. And Paul says that power is available to us.

Not because of who we are.

Not because of our abilities.

Not because of our experience.

But because of Jesus.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit continue to work through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

I recently heard of a ministry in New Zealand that completed a three-storey facility providing accommodation, medical care, counselling, and support services for vulnerable people. The cost was enormous, yet God faithfully provided the resources needed.

Stories like that remind us that God is still working miracles. He is still changing lives. He is still providing what is needed for the work He calls His people to do.

The same God who raised Christ from the dead continues to bring people from death to life today.

So as we continue in this ministry, let us receive God’s wisdom. Let us ask Him to open the eyes of our hearts to the hope we have in Christ. Let us trust in His resurrection power rather than our own strength.

And let us believe that God is still at work.

Bringing hope.

Changing lives.

Restoring people.

Building His Kingdom.

Believe it. Receive it. And live in the good of it.

Prayer

Glorious Father, thank You that You know each one of us and the work You have called us to do.

Give us Your wisdom, revelation, and discernment. Help us to know You more deeply and to see people as You see them.

Open the eyes of our hearts to the hope we have in Christ. When we become discouraged, remind us of Your promises and of the glorious inheritance that belongs to Your people.

And Lord, help us to experience Your power—not our strength, but Yours. The same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Strengthen every person serving in recovery ministry. Encourage the weary, guide the uncertain, and equip us for all that You are calling us to do in the days ahead.

May our lives, our ministries, and our service point people to Jesus.

For Your glory and in Your name we pray.

Amen.