I have prayed to God numerous times to rid me of an addiction. Why hasn't He done it yet?

Question

I full-heartedly believe in Him. He said 'ask and you shall receive.' How come I'm still suffering from the same problem? Anything in the bible I can read to help me make sense of this? Thanks.

Answer 1

I've prayed for him to please rid me of my feelings for this jerk that lives next door to me, but nothing so far. Let me know what works for you.

Answer 2

He also says that He will help those that help themselves. So how much effort have you been putting into ending your addiction? Why not try and put a new addiction in its place, like every time you are tempted just walk away as you call on the name of Jesus for strength to resist. And stop putting yourself into situations where you will be tempted. You see, God is not going to every thing for you. You MUST ask Him for the power to do it for your self, this He will do, IF you ask Him and If you are studying like He has told you to do, and IF you are obeying Him like He has told you too. You see God is you partner, not your do it all for you guy. You can not lay back and say 'OK God, make me a completely new person' It just does not ever work that way. Christianity is a Working religion, why else do you suppose Jesus said 'Take up YOUR cross, and FOLLOW me', this is an action command, and YOU MUST take action, or else nothing will get done and you will not even have the chance to go to heaven.

Answer 3

God answers in his own time. Ive been clean 10 years and everyday is a struggle but it has gotten easier as time has passed. Keep praying and keep asking for his forgiveness and help in staying sober another day. I am sure God has answered my prayers The thing is I will always be a drug addict I just choose not to use. I also can say my life is a million times better than when I was using. Take it one day at a time I will be praying for you. If you'd like drop me an email. God Bless

Answer 4

I used to do that also yrs ago when I was desperate. Anyone is obviously in a weakened state in the first stages of getting sober or drug free.
I was praying to nothing, and no higher Being was listening.
I became an atheist, and suddenly it was all clear to me.

for many substance abusers god just doesn't work for them.

try SOS.org

or smart recovery

PS: and I guess your in the U.S, so 12step programs there are very cult like, however, if your that way inclined, go to them.

But your lucky also, in that it's such a huge country. with secular alternatives.

Answer 5

God warns us not to get into addictions in the first place and then when we do and realize that God was right, then we just want to pray a simple prayer and watch it go away. There are lessons to learn and God will not take it away until those lessons are firmly learned and applied. Even then you will be susceptable to it throughout the rest of your life. It is the price we pay for not heeding God in the first place. David fell into sin, then murdered in order to cover it up. God said to him, becasue he used the sword, that the sword would never leave his home. When we get into these things they remain with us and when we get away from the Lord, they just pop up again. The New Testament refers to it and the "sin that easily besets us." It will be a life long battle but having said that the answer still lies in Jesus Christ. In 1st John 1 we are given the steps to cleansing. This is deep, so I will just give you the practical steps. God doesn't want to cleanse you from a sin, He wants to change your heart so you no longer have a taste for sin. You need to deal with your heart attitude, not individual sins. From a practical standpoint it means a changed life of walking wih God on a day to day basis. Desireing Him above every other thing. That is where it begins. Secondly it means that you must totally forgive everyone who has offended you. God says that if you do not forgive thosewho offend you then God will not forgive you. You must before God be sure there is no one on the face of this earth that you have not fully forgiven.
Third, We must take our sins to the cross, it is only there that you can confess your sins. The word confess means "to say the same thing" and what God wants is for you to say the same thing about your sin as God says about them. When you look at what Christ suffered on the cross to bring you salvation it is the only way you can see how abominable sin is to God that He would allow His Son to suffer so.
When you do these things, God forgives you and cleanses you and takes that sin away, until you get lazy and then it will pop up again.
Been there, done that.

Answer 6

Have you given your addiction to god or are you daeling with it on your own. While we are supposed to be proactive in things ( treatment) we have to give our whole self including the addictions and all th other ulgy stuff to God. If you give it to Hime and take it back it is like telling god that He can not handel the issue. I have first hand accounts wiht several addictions and I never could make it anywhere without God and a support system. Find a group get a person you can call. Pray - e-mail me -- whatever works, but woek it and allow God to work in you.

Answer 7

I smoke cigs and am going through the exact same thing as you. I think one day you will just be done with it. Also God made doctors for a reason. Whether it's smoking, drinking, drugs, or even porn a doctor can be used as a tool from God to kick this addiction. Prayer and foot work on your behalf will work! I'm in the process and have seen others win the battle through God and what he provided them to help.

Answer 8

Please read the book of Romans.

Paul explains total submission to God is the only way to rid ourselves of "thorns in the side"

You cannot ask God to remove a thorn from your life if you have not totaly submitted this problem to him. When the desire for the addictive item rears its ugly head, get in Gods word, pray to him and stay there until the desire loses it flame. Continue on in this way, each time thanking God for the power to resist yet another tempting situation.

Its the little things that we forget to be thankful for, stay in thankgiving to God on all things, good and bad.

On a more blunt note, are you asking God to rid you of this addiction in a specific way , on specific terms, or are you putting the problem in Gods hands to handle how he sees fit. When it comes to Gods way or your way, remember to pick Gods way, even when it seems a lot different than how you would choose to do it.

Answer 9

Seriously, How much do YOU want to rid the addiction? Think about it. Think about it. Think about it. I believe that you "Fell Heartedly believe in him" But do you Full heartedly want to rid your addiction? If so, you will find a way.

Answer 10

It is said that G-d provides worms for birds, but they have to find them.

Also, have you checked out a 12 step program? I am involved in one, they are worldwide and spiritual based. All the steps require faith or you'll go nowhere. It is also humbling to ask for help. G-d may be trying to work on this area of your life.

I respect you for taking the 1st step, admitting addiction and asking advice. Check out www.na.org

Blessings, email me ANYTIME on this....I am 2.5 years clean and sober after a 15 year habit.

David T

Answer 11

My sister replaced her prescription drug addiction with religious addiction and she will go from church to church on a Sunday to take communion as often as she can ...because to her addictive personality more is always better, it's very sad I think, she's also become a bit of a religious tyrant and upsets most of the family.

Be very careful you don't just replace one addiction with another equally damaging one even if it's one that damages in a different way.