Prayer Request

A reader writes:

I am a recent convert and I joined the Church this last Easter. As soon as I entered the Church, however, I succumbed to an old temptation that I thought I had put behind me- a temptation to abuse alcohol. The timing of this struggle makes me think that there is a strong spiritual dimension involved, and that the enemy is trying to keep me away from the Church and the sacraments. This is a difficult sin to struggle against, and if you could offer up any prayers for help I would appreciate it. This sin is hindering my growth in virtue and hurting my relationship with God, and I need all of the spiritual graces I can get to overcome it.

Father, hear the prayer of your son and give him the grace through his baptism, confirmation, reconciliation, anointing and the eucharist to get back on the wagon and seek the help of his support group and the body of Christ in overcoming this temptation. Bring glory to your Name, Father, and honor the covenant you have made by giving him the grace to fight back knowing you are on his side, not his accuser, through Christ our Lord. Mother Mary, pray for your son!

A word to the reader: Precisely the way to fight back here is to draw closer to the sacraments, not away from them. Also, be aware of the fact that concupiscence is not sin in the Church’s understanding. It is the “tinder for sin”: the weakened will, darkened intellect, and disordered appetites that remain for us to struggle with after original sin is removed by baptism.

That means that the first thing you need to know as you struggle with sin is that your Father is proud of you, not that he’s standing there disappointed, tapping his foot and shaking his head (that’s the devil doing that). Every effort you make toward overcoming this (and it can be and has been overcome by millions) *is* a growth in virtue and your Father is with you (Emmanuel) all the way. So take courage!

One practical tip: Receive Eucharist under one kind (namely, in the bread, not the wine). No point in exacerbating things with the taste and scent of wine.

God bless you. You can do it!