Addictions Prayer Service

Presider: Kevin Galley

Title: Addictions
Liturgical Season: Lent
Intended Audience: Sister Margaret Smith Centre (Youth Addictions Program)
Context: Introductory service to new members of the school/program

1. INTRODUCTORY RITE

Welcome and Introduction

Good Morning/Afternoon, today we gather as we set out on our journey to overcome
addiction. (Pause 3-5sec). This is not an easy task. In fact, it’s going to be one of the hardest
things we have ever done. (Pause 3-5sec). It’s important to know that your presence here is not
a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. We are stronger together and we are committed to
creating a family devoted to healing and recovery. Today we dispel the stigma and
discrimination of those affected by substance abuse disorders, and we keep anyone suffering
from addiction in our thoughts today as we embark on this journey, together.

Opening Song
Please join us in our opening song: “The A Team” by Ed Sheeran
- This song was inspired by Ed’s experience visiting a homeless shelter where he met a
woman who was addicted to cocaine and resorted to prostitution to fund the habit.

Opening Prayer
God of infinite love and understanding,
we come today reminded of our human frailty which causes us to stumble over the obstacles
and difficulties of life. We reflect today upon the people in our midst and in the world suffering
pain, disappointment, and cruelty, and in their effort to dispel it, have numbed their pain with
addiction. We know that you hold each of us dear to your heart. You grieve even when we
suffer and you tenderly draw the suffering addict to your love. Only You can provide the
unconditional assurance to the addict that they are not alone, and give them courage and faith
for all that is to come. Strengthen those who care for and treat them and guide those who
search for solutions to treatment. For we pray this in the name of the One who sets us free
from slavery to the past and makes all things new, Jesus Christ, Our Savior.
Amen.

Clear Invocation
“God of infinite love and understanding” as mentioned above.

2. SCRIPTURE

Reading
A reading from the Psalm of David – NSRV (Psalms 23: 1-6)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me
beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even
though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your
staff—they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you
anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

The Word of the Lord, All: Thanks be to God.

*Suitable Pause for Reflection* - 30 seconds

Play calming background music during this time (preferred - student/teacher can play the
piano)

Dialogue for Reading

There is not one person in this room today who has not experienced pain, suffering, or grief
within our souls. Sometimes we think we know how to handle these situations on our own.
(Pause 3-5sec). Sometimes we believe that we can take care of ourselves. (Pause 3-5sec).
Sometimes we feel like we know what is best. But the truth is, we need God and each other.
God cares for us, loves us and protects us. Most importantly, he leads us to healing and is
present with us along the way.

Appropriate Response
It is important for everyone to know that we are not alone in these times of hardship and
struggle. During these times, we are stronger together and we must remember that God is with
us on our road to recovery.

3. OTHER READINGS, LITANIES, RITUALS

(Responsorial Psalm: 121)

The response is: Our help is from the Lord
Reader: I lift up my eyes toward the mountains; whence shall help come to me? My help
is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
All: Our help is from the Lord.

Reader: May He not suffer your foot to slip; may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed neither slumbers nor sleeps, the guardian of Israel.
All: Our help is from the Lord.

Reader: The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade; He is beside you at your right
hand. The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
All: Our help is from the Lord.

Reader: The Lord will guard you from all evil; He will guard your life. The Lord will guard
your coming and your going, both now and forever.
 All: Our help is from the Lord.

Intercession
The response is: Lord, hear our prayer
Leader: Our God gives us life and constantly calls us to new life; let us pray to God with
confidence. We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: For all of those struggling with addiction and substance abuse, that God may be
their strength and support, we pray.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: For those gathered, that we may be a strength and support to encourage and
assist all of those who struggle with addiction and substance abuse, we pray.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: That we may all trust in the mercy of God through whom all things are possible,
we pray
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: For all who love someone struggling with addiction and substance abuse, may
they have faith and patience as they show their love, we pray.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader: For the Church, that may always be attentive to those in need, we pray.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Supports Scripture
Yes, these additional readings/intercessions help with dialogue and connectiveness to the
service.

Audience Appropriate
Yes, it is relevant to the audience and easy to understand.

4. SYMBOLS

In the room, there should be a prayer table with a tablecloth, Bible, rosary, three candles for
Lent, as well as a vase with flowers. In the room, there will also be pictures of those who have
successfully graduated from the program, with their stories attached.

Support Scripture
The chosen items represent the season as well as our faith. The pictures help emphasize the
overall message and key takeaway lessons from the service.
Audience Appropriate
The items will be relevant to those who are baptized, however, the pictures/stories will be
relevant and meaningful to everyone.

Focal Point
The focal point will be the prayer table as it centers the room and is visible at all times. The
pictures/stories will be more focal at the conclusion of the service when guest have an
opportunity to view them.

5. MUSIC

Supports Scripture
Yes, song choices are extremely relevant and are based on true stories.

Audience Appropriate
The songs are well known so that the audience can easily sing along and connect to the lyrics.

As Part of:
- Opening Rite: Yes
- Reflective Time : Yes
- Concluding Rite: Yes

6. CONCLUDING RITE

Closing Prayer
God of mercy,
we bless you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who ministered to all who came to Him.
Give your strength to our Brothers and Sisters, your children, who are bound by the chains of
addiction. Enfold them in your love and restore to each of them the freedom, healing and
peace that only You can provide. Look with compassion on all those who have lost their health
and freedom. Strengthen them in the work of recovery and help them to find treatment to
resist the bodily craving and emotional temptation of addiction. To those who care, work or
advocate for them, grant patient understanding, wisdom and a love that perseveres.
Amen.

Clear Invocation
“Amen” at the conclusion of the prayer. The leader should initiate the Name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Closing Song
Please join us in song: “The Needle and the Damage Done” by Neil Young
- This song is about the many musicians Neil met, throughout his career, who struggle
with heroin addictions. He saw how it destroyed their lives and made them desperate.
 He points out that drugs can consume talented and hardworking people before they
have a chance to become successful.
References

Opening Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAWcs5H-qgQ

Opening Prayer: https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/61

First Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+23&version=NRSV

Support Scripture & Intercessions: https://www.chausa.org/prayers/additional-resources/2018-

month-of-prayer/prayer-service-for-those-struggling-with-addiction

Closing Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49M10VIXPk4

Song Descriptions: https://www.talkspace.com/blog/10-songs-about-addiction-that-capture-

the-experience/

Closing Prayer: https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/61

General Considerations

1. Were participants appropriately engaged?

Yes, participants were able to engage in all prayers, respond to intercessions, sing along to
modern and familiar music, and lastly read the stories of others who have gone through the
same process.
2. Did the order of service provide just what was essential to engage the participants?
Yes, the order of the service was fluent and transitioned nicely from section to section.
3. Was a complete presiders version made available?
The version in this document can be used for a presider. All necessary sections of the service
are thorough and accurate.
4. Should my collogues be able to duplicate this prayer service with what they have been
given?
Yes, the document is extremely detailed and includes everything necessary to duplicate—from
exactly what needs to be said in the exact order, to the specific songs that need to be played,
and the symbols that must be present.
5. Was the language: inclusive; age appropriate?
Yes, the language was appropriate, meaningful, and relevant.
6. What understanding of the Paschal Mystery was conveyed?
In the combination of prayers and scripture included in this service, we touch on God’s love and
wisdom, God’s creations, Jesus Christ and his suffering/sacrifice for us, and the notion that God
and Jesus are with us everywhere we go—leading us to His salvation.
7. Other comments:
This service is specific to a small population of students that suffer from addiction. It was
inspired by my recent trip to the Sister Margaret Smith Center (Thunder Bay, ON) where I
supplied for a class dedicated to providing education to youth with addictions as they work
towards sobriety.

Tip Sheet for a Prayer Service

Introductory Rite
- Welcome the audience with gratitude – make them feel warm and accepted.
- For heavy topics like addiction, use bold statements in the beginning to really grasp the
audience’s attention.
- Try to keep the introduction brief and to the point (we don’t want to bore the
audience).

Scripture
- Scripture must be relevant and support the theme of the service.
- I find shorter verses are better than longer—audience tends to lose focus.
- Explain the scripture in your own words and make it applicable to the youth of today—
take the main message and apply it to a more modern context.

Other Readings
- Only include them if they truly enhance the service.
- Keep them short—don’t want to overwhelm the audience with scripture/readings.
- Have a different person read these—gives the presider a break and the audience a fresh
voice to listen to.

Concluding Rite
- Ensure to lead the audience in the sign of the cross.
- Make the last sentence of the prayer memorable—it’s the last thing they will hear and
likely take home with them.
- Thank the audience for participating and invite them back for additional services.

Symbols:
- Need to be relevant to both the Catholic faith and the theme of the service.
- Ensure the focal points are viewable from all areas of the service.
- Perform gestures (like the sign of the cross) in front of the audience so they know to
follow along.

Music:
- When possible, select songs that the audience may be familiar with.
- If appropriate, have a student/teacher perform an instrumental or original version of
the song—this could spark engagement.
- Utilize background music when the audience is entering and leaving the service (this
creates a calming and peaceful setting)