noground - what excellent suggestions from everyone - my opinion is you are on the right track whichever words you actually choose the sentiment should be as you have stated - i love you - i wish you weren't struggling(suffering) - i know you can find your way when you choose to - boiled down to three words - faith, hope and love (and the greatest of these is love 1 Corinthians 13 - last verse)
freedom - it is always good to hear from those who have walked in those shoes - you are right that prayers for protection or comfort may actually be inhibitors to recovery - God knows what each of us needs - our job is to let go of our ways and trust His