“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”(2 Corinthians 4:4,NIV)
Addictions and mental health disorders are among the most destructive forces damaging the soul, leaving many unable or unwilling to hear the message of the gospel. These issues are increasingly affecting young people as well.
According to a report by the Korea Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, between 2018 and 2020, a total of 10,047 adolescents of ages 10 to 19 received treatment for addictions related to alcohol, drugs, gambling, and the Internet. That averages over 3,000 cases per year. In Korea, youth drug problems stem not only from illegal substances, but also from the misuse or overuse of legal medications. Drugs such as zolpidem (a sleep aid) and fentanyl patches (a powerful painkiller) are spreading at alarming rates among teens, yet the full scope of the problem remains unclear. In the United States, where drug issues are well-documented, fentanyl is responsible for an estimated 60,000 deaths each year. One tragic case involved Melanie Ramos, a 15-year-old student in Los Angeles who died at school after taking a pill laced with fentanyl. U.S. laws impose enhanced penalties for providing drugs to minors, including tripled sentencing for repeat offenses. In Myanmar, drug addiction is also spreading rapidly among young adults, with many losing their sense of direction and purpose in life.
In South Korea, gambling addiction affects approximately 2.22 million adults, which accounts for 5.3% of the adult population, and 145,000 youth, or 6.4% of the youth population. The social and economic costs of addiction are staggering: gambling addiction alone costs an estimated 78 trillion Korean won, followed by 23 trillion for alcoholism, 5 trillion for internet addiction, and 2 trillion for drug addiction.
A closer look at alcoholism shows that from 2019 to 2022, one treatment hospital admitted 3,906 alcoholics, and 15.2% (594 people) were in their 20s and 30s. This challenges the common assumption that most alcoholics are middle-aged because 1.5 out of every 10 patients were actually young adults.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in its 2022 World Mental Health Report that around 1 billion people worldwide, as of 2019, live with some form of mental disorder. In South Korea, according to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 1.8 million patients were treated for depression and anxiety in the past year alone—a 15.6% increase from 2019. WHO also reports that 322 million people globally—about 4% of the world’s population—suffer from depression, with the elderly, women, and youth being particularly vulnerable. In Korea, there were 83 reported cases of depression in 2020, with 5.8% among those under 20 and 16.9% in their 20s. According to The Washington Post, 17% of the U.S. population experiences depression, making it one of the most common mental health conditions in the country. It is estimated that 2% to 15% of those diagnosed with depression may ultimately die by suicide.
》Prayer Points
1. Satan, the ruler of this world, continues to darken the minds of those who do not believe. Among his most destructive tools are addictions—alcohol, drugs, and gambling—that are now having a devastating impact on the next generation. Let us pray that the full reality of Satan’s evil schemes will be exposed and destroyed, and that God will deliver people from the grip of addiction.
2. Around 1 billion people worldwide, or 1 in 8 of the global population, are living with some form of mental illness. In the United States, 17% of the population suffers from depression. In Korea, 830,000 people received treatment for depression, with approximately 210,000, or nearly 23%, being teens and young adults in their twenties. In this global mental health crisis, let us pray for mercy on those suffering. May they hear the message of the cross and experience salvation, healing, and transformation through the power of the gospel.
》Scripture Prayer
(Proverbs 19:18–27,NIV) 18 Discipline your children,for in that there is hope;do not be a willing party to their death. 19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;rescue them,and you will have to do it again. 20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,and at the end you will be counted among the wise. 21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. 22 What a person desires is unfailing love;better to be poor than a liar. 23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;then one rests content,untouched by trouble. 24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;he will not even bring it back to his mouth! 25 Flog a mocker,and the simple will learn prudence;rebuke the discerning,and they will gain knowledge. 26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace. 27 Stop listening to instruction,my son,and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Many people believe they can control their use of alcohol, drugs, or gambling at first. But over time, they fall into addictions they cannot escape from on their own. Yet there is still hope for those who recognize the seriousness of their condition and long to be free. Many addicts want to be restored. Let us pray that God would rebuke and discipline sinners with love, helping them turn from addiction and sin and choose life. May He also raise up parents, teachers, and ministry workers as channels of healing—those who refuse to give up on the addicted, who teach, guide, and share the gospel with steadfast compassion.
2. Let us pray for the next generation struggling with depression and mental illness. As they laugh and cry over the fleeting things of this world, their minds are being worn down and led away from God’s Word. May they not be deceived by worldly teachings and lies. Pray that they will be counseled and corrected through the truth of Scripture, and that they will be saved and transformed into wise and renewed people in Christ.
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