5 DAYS to QUIT DRINKINGSample

This 5-day journey is designed to help you set a course for breaking free from the psychological slavery of your alcohol habit by drawing closer to God, using His wisdom and the latest insights from neuroscience. For the next 5 consecutive days, commit to refraining from drinking while practicing the daily disciplines of prayer, gratitude, and reflection (see instructions after completion of Day 1 below). These simple steps will help you shift your mindset and renew your mind.

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1 Timothy 4:15 (ESV): Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

Mindful Minute: This journey is a journey of practice and rewiring the beautiful mind God created for each of us (or for renewing it as Paul writes in Romans 12). He created a mind that saves us energy and remembers routine behaviors so we don't need to re-teach them to ourselves each time we do them. Think about the routine you do before you go to bed at night. There isn't much thought put into these things because it's the perfect energy-saving mechanism designed by our Creator.

When we allow sinful practices to enter our daily routines, those perfect energy-saving pathways are also engaged, except this time the consequences can be harmful instead of helpful. During this challenge, we will commit to practicing a different way of processing our triggers related to our drinking habits. The target for practicing and creating new neural pathways should be twelve weeks so you may truly see your progress. You can choose whatever path you believe is best for you after this period, but we will start practicing now for the purpose of seeing progress and feeling how the Holy Spirit will work within us as we move this bad habit to the side.

Prayer: I am committed to practicing, Father. I want to embody integrity with my word to you during this challenge. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will spend this period focused on your grace, love, and forgiveness. I will commit to living a life of appreciation for everything good in my life and give thanks to you. I will walk steadily with the Holy Spirit in the path of your Word so my progress may be evident to me and to all who I encounter. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

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Daily Instruction: Each day of this journey, you should pray the Lord’s Prayer with intention, write down 10 things you’re grateful for, and reflect on what God shows you through His Word in this devotional. These simple practices will guide your steps and open your heart to transformation.

Why the Lord's Prayer? The Lord’s Prayer grounds us each day. It reminds us who God is, that His will is greater, and that He provides what we need today. It frees us through forgiveness and strengthens us against temptation. This simple prayer aligns our hearts and minds with truth, grace, and purpose. It is how Jesus taught us to pray. Feel free to use any version of the Lord's Prayer that makes you comfortable. The prayer can be found in Matthew 6:9-13.

Why Reflection and Gratitude? God invites us to meditate on His Word (Joshua 1:8), trusting every promise is true. He also calls us to be thankful in all of our requests to Him (Philippians 4:6), anchoring our hearts in His goodness. Together, these practices create new neural pathways (scientifically supported) to renew our minds (Romans 12:2).