In Jonathan’s Own Words
While addictions and mental illness eventually took the life of my son Jonathan, I always admired his intellectual abilities. He loved to learn, and whatever he couldn’t grasp in school, he kept trying to figure out on his own.
Jonathan loved to write. Because he had dyslexia, this was a difficult task for him. He spelled his words phonetically (the way they sounded) and would ask me to proofread his writings if he planned to share them with other people, so the spelling and grammar would be correct. I admired Jonathan’s unique writing style and his choice of words. I sometimes questioned him if a word he had chosen was a “real” word. He would confidently say, “You can look it up, Mom.” I would. He was ALWAYS correct. I learned a lot of new vocabulary words from Jonathan!
A few weeks ago, I had the impression to look through his papers because I felt there might be something in Jonathan’s own words that would inspire someone this month. I finally came across this article (which is an amazing and very profound testimony) about the power of consistent prayer and also about how prayer can help to overcome addictions. I enjoyed “translating” his words once again—as I used to do when he was with me—and I happily now share them with you!
Addiction
Written by Jonathan Fales on January 5, 2007
There are two set times in the realm of 24 hours in which to pray—in the morning when we wake up and at night when we go to bed.
These two set times should be used to communicate on a spiritual level of understanding with our Creator.
There are many desires of the heart that should be poured out to our God at this time. Personal things between us (you, me) and the Creator.
When it comes to addiction, I want to share with you what I feel impressed at this time to establish—in a format of what we as addicts need to include in these prayers—and when pertaining to the opposition of the mind.
Pray for guidance of spiritual understanding and wisdom to help fight and overcome whatever addiction you might be struggling with at the time. Remember, no addiction is too great or too small for God to intervene. Addiction can range from caffeine, tobacco, or food, or on a greater scale alcohol, cocaine, meth, or heroin; and there are the addictions of the mind such as porn, shoplifting, fornication, and gambling. If we can internalize this prayer for guidance every morning, even if active in the addiction at the time, or abstaining, I promise that God will pour out a blessing of personal understanding to the individual who seeks to break these chains.
Pray that your way might be hedged up! Or in other words, ask God to put obstacles in your path to keep you from progressing in this destructive behavior. I bear witness to you that if you ask God for this thing, more blessings than you could ever comprehend will rain upon your foreheads.
In like manner, ask God to bring people into your life that will uplift you, hold you accountable, and teach you of spiritual gifts that will protect you in the fight, or should I say war, on drugs. If you pray for this blessing, you will quickly see from firsthand experience the power of prayer. For God’s agents are out there, fervently praying to be placed in contact with us!
I bear witness that if these three blessings you ask of God can be enrooted in a format of the mind—to ask for them every morning when you wake up and, in the evening, before you lay your head down to sleep—the power of addiction will pass away. You will be renewed in Christ and behave in the pattern in which God has created to establish a likeness in His image.
I say these things in God’s name, Jesus, Amen.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness….
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God created he him;
male and female created he them.
Please listen to our lyric video once again: “There’s a Reason to Live”
I hope you will share this post and lyric video with other people who might need it. If someone’s name or face pops into your mind, don’t hesitate. Immediately forward it to them. Jonathan once told me very seriously, “Mom, always follow your first impressions. Don’t ever procrastinate. When a kind thought or sweet feeling comes to you, do it now!”