Opioid Epidemic in America
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
(James 5:15-16; NIV)
From time to time, the Lord highlights situations in our nation that require concerted prayer in order to effect a breakthrough. There are things happening that are destroying our nation from within. One of the things that the Lord is highlighting, both in the news and through the prophets, is that there is an opioid epidemic in America. In fact, just earlier this month, Attorney General William Barr addressed this crisis in New Orleans.
This opioid epidemic is affecting people of all races, places, and walks of life, and there are no signs of this tragedy diminishing. It is stealing lives, to say nothing about stealing finances and the very health they were meant to help with. We must cry out to God for the healing of America!
“In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to opioid pain relievers, and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates."1 By 2017, Health and Human Services (HHS) declared the opioid epidemic to be a public health emergency. Today, an average of 130 Americans die daily from an opioid overdose.2
Let us fight this sickness in America and bring healing through prayer for the following:
Pray for wisdom and knowledge for America regarding prescription drugs.
"For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
(Proverbs 2:6; NIV)
Pray for healing of this public health emergency.
“Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise”
(Jeremiah 17:14; NIV)
Pray that God will provide a solution to this epidemic.
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand says to you, do not fear; I will help you.”
(Isaiah 41:13; NIV)
Pray that the pharmaceutical companies and the doctors responsible for this epidemic be held accountable.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
(Galatians 6:7; KJV)
“For we do not have a high priest who is incapable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15; NET Bible)
