Ideas for worship

Here are some ideas for use in worship tackling the theme of addiction.

A prayer used by Orthodox Christians working in drug rehabilitation

We rarely see inside
Each other’s feelings
And never really understand
Each other’s faith and fear,
Yet unless I try,
Am I really loving you?
And without true love,
What can Jesus mean to you?
We rarely look inside
Each other’s sadness,
Willing to take it all
Without condition,
And yet I do believe
That at the heart of it,
Bearing the hurt of lives gone wrong
Was the lifeblood of
My Saviour’s mission.

We rarely use our words
With a healing touch.
More often they are used for games
Which serve our need to win,
And yet in the end
I want to know you so much,
For the gift of life in you
Is such a precious thing.

Anon


Poem - “My Name is Heroin” by an unknown addict

My name is ‘heroin’ — call me ‘smack’ for short.
I entered this country without a passport.
Ever since then I’ve made lots of scum rich.
Some have been murdered and found in a ditch.
I’m more valued than diamonds, more treasured than gold;
Use me just once and you too will be sold.

I’ll make a schoolboy forget his books,
I’ll make a beauty queen forget her looks.
I’ll take a renowned speaker and make him a bore.
I’ll take your mother and make her a whore.
I’ll make a schoolteacher forget how to teach.
I’ll make a preacher not want to preach.
I’ll take all your rent money and you’ll be evicted.
I’ll murder your babies or they’ll be born addicted.
I’ll make you rob, and steal and kill.
When you’re under my power, you have no will.

Remember, my friend, my name is ‘Big H’,
If you try me just once, you may never be free.
I’ve destroyed actors, politicians and many a hero.
I’ve decreased bank accounts from millions to zero.
I make shooting and stabbing a common affair.
Once I take charge, you won’t have a prayer.

Now that you know me, what will you do?
You’ll have to decide, it’s all up to you.
The day you agree to sit in my saddle
The decision is one that no one can straddle.
Listen to me, and please listen well,
When you ride with heroin you are headed for hell.


A prayer by Andrey, born in Kazakhstan, who became a Christian and was freed from drugs through the Exodus project. He has now become a minister with the project and is sharing the Good News with other addicts in their rehabilitation centre in London.

Father, I’m praying for people in this country, and all over the world, who are dying from drugs and have no hope.

Please reveal yourself to them, come into their lives, bring them freedom, hope and a future as you did to me. Show them that they may have a different life in Christ Jesus.

Amen


Song suggestions

Blessed be your name (Beth Redman and Matt Redman)

Spirit of the living God (Daniel Iverson (c) 1935, renewed 1965 Birdwing Music, Admin. by BMG Songs AAR)

I need you more (than the air I breathe) (Lindell Cooley, Bruce Haynes (c) 1996 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)

And Can It Be? (Charles Wesley)

Freedom is coming (in Freedom is Coming, Wild Goose Publications, ISBN: 0947988491)