Former addict backs prayer project to battle drugs in Bishop's Stortford
A former drug addict who says he was saved from the pit of despair by prayer is hoping a new support initiative in Bishop's Stortford will offer salvation to others.
Michael, 35, is unflinching as he confronts the life of crime he led for a decade before a renewed faith gave him the strength to get clean.
He has articulated his gratitude and hope in a prayer which has been included in a booklet being distributed around the town.
It is the brainchild of Pippa Roy-Chowdhury, co-ordinator of the Bishop's Stortford Street Pastors.
"What worries me is that recreational use of drugs is so acceptable among young and even older people," she said. "County Lines means younger people are being targeted and drugs are becoming a really big problem."
The group, like other church initiatives, is on the front line of the town's social problems. Its volunteers hit the streets each week to offer comfort to rough sleepers, helping to keep the streets safe and assisting those in distress.
They work with the food bank that operates from the Methodist Church and the winter night shelter at Holy Trinity Church to help those in most need.
John Barfoot, a member of the Community Church which meets at the Charis Centre in Water Lane, runs CZ Design and Print at Southmill Trading Centre. He has produced 1,500 of the pamphlets featuring prayers by Michael and others who have experienced the depths of despair.
They include David Perry, now manager of the winter night shelter and a mentor for mental health charity MIND. He was highly commended in the first Indies community awards for overcoming his own problems with addiction to help others in their hour of need. The mayor, Cllr Norma Symonds, has also contributed; she lived on the streets as a teenager after running away from home in Scotland to London.
John said: "The idea behind the prayer booklets is to help people to pray for God to move powerfully and see more people set free from the grip of drug addiction. It also gives telephone numbers and websites for people to get practical help if they want it.
"The booklet makes prayer accessible for all; even those who have never prayed before can use one of the prayers."
They build on the experiences of a group which meets at the Charis Centre on Tuesday evenings.
John said: "Many have had chequered pasts. Some have been in prison and had issues with drugs and drink, but they're finding a way out of previous addictive lifestyles through their new-found faith in Jesus."
The church provides practical support as well as spiritual guidance. Michael, whose surname is being withheld to protect his recovery, is one of those who has found strength and support in the church, and felt moved to write his own exhortation.
The former Hockerill Anglo-European College and St Mary's Catholic School student said: "I grew up in a loving, honest home but went off the rails as a teenager. I got into bad company and was expelled from school. I was trying to impress the wrong people and I wasn't at all happy with who I was becoming.
"At 17 I served a year in Feltham Prison. It was violent with a culture of bullying. I was in and out of prison for many years.
"At 23 I was offered class A drugs. They promised to take away the pain in my heart but did the opposite, slowly destroying me mentally and physically and leading to a lifestyle of crime and prison which lasted for 10 years."
Michael began by smoking cannabis and progressed to crack cocaine and heroin, committing crimes to finance his habit, which led to a string of stints behind bars. The cycle of addiction took him to rock bottom.
"One day in a police cell I was so desperate that I knelt down and cried out to God, 'Help me, I can't live this life any more'. At that moment I felt Him speak to my heart, 'I've got you, my son'. I wept and knew that he had heard me.
"When I was released I went home and found Christian TV. I was really hungry to find out about this God who had spoken to my heart and about Jesus who had saved me. I started really reading the Bible as well."
He then turned to the Community Church.
"I felt led to go to the Charis Centre. There I met loving people who really care for me.
"I was baptised last June and feel really free from the grip of drugs and crime. I'm back home living with my mum and have a full-time job. God has been so good to me, he has rescued me from the pit."
Pippa said: "If this idea helps one person to get help and get away from addictions it will be worth it."
The booklets are available from churches and other community outlets around the town and at the Bishop's Stortford Independent's North Street office.
Michael's Prayer
Lord God, I need your mighty touch on my life.
Father God, break these chains of addiction that have been haunting me. I know that you are the light and truth of this world.
Help me to realise how much of a precious child I am to you.
I pray Lord, break the lies that the enemy has made me believe about myself.
I pray you speak your healing and restoration into me, Lord.
From this prayer forward I turn my heart and my life back towards you my loving Father.
Open my eyes and my heart to your goodness and glory and guide me always.
I pray Father, every day from now I get stronger, that I feel your love more and more and that you send the right good people into my life.
Please protect me always Lord and the next time I am tempted or lonely I cry out to you Father and you will strengthen me and comfort me.
Lord open my eyes to know that you are always with me wherever I am.
I pray from this day forward I go from glory to glory in your hands mighty Lord. Thank you.
I now declare your favour, your healing, your courage, your strength in my life.
In Jesus Christ's almighty sovereign name. Amen.
