VICAR
Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You are well.
You may have noticed that this week there was a report mentioned by the BBC about rural homelessness and how it was a hidden problem and on the rise:
Researchers say local voluntary groups, charities and church groups have been left bearing the cost of providing vital support in villages, market towns and the countryside.
Dr Carin Tunåker, co-author of the report, told the BBC: “We found that some of the reason for why rural homelessness is hidden is because people in rural areas rely on an enormous amount of goodwill.
“Churches, community groups, farmers and members of the public are doing their part to provide warm spaces, cups of tea, safety, help filling out forms and a shoulder to cry on.
“It is fantastic to see people coming together to do this, but it also shields the real scale of the problem from view, and it is not a long-term solution. That is why the government needs to act to address the crisis.”
According to the charity Crisis, 66% of people experiencing homelessness cite drug or alcohol use as a reason for first becoming homeless.
Alcoholism is not a problem exclusive to those who are or become homeless. How many people in the UK have alcoholism? Figures based on YouGov surveys show 18.1% of adults in England were drinking at “increasing or higher risk” in the three months to the end of October 2021, which equates to 8 million people. That is an awful lot of people.
So, this week let us pray for those suffering from alcoholism. Pray that the desire for freedom and healing overwhelms the person rather than the desire to abuse substances and drugs. Additionally, pray that the addict recognises that God’s power is higher than their problems.
Have a wonderful Sunday and another good week to come. God Bless You All.
Dear Lord, we come to You on behalf of those who are suffering due to alcohol abuse. Father, Your Word tells us that we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age. God, I therefore come to You on behalf of those who are suffering due to alcohol abuse. We ask that they break free from their addiction and come to know and experience Your Love, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.