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Prayers & Meditations

A prayer for each of the 12 steps

~First Step Prayer~

Dear Lord,
I admit that I am powerless over my addiction.
I admit that my life is unmanageable when I try to control it.
Help me this day to understand the true meaning of powerlessness.
Remove from me all denial of my addiction.

~Second Step Prayer~

Heavenly Father,
I know in my heart that only you can restore me to sanity.
I humbly ask that you remove all twisted thought and
addictive behavior from me this day.
Heal my spirit and restore in me a clear mind.



~Third Step Prayer~
(Page 63 - A. A. Big Book)

God,
I offer myself to Thee
To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do
Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear
witness to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love and
Thy Way of life,
May I do Thy will always!


~Fourth Step Prayer~

Dear God,
It is I who have made my life a mess.
I have done it, but I cannot undo it.
My mistakes are mine, and I will begin a
searching and fearless moral inventory.
I will write down my wrongs,
but I will also include that which is good.
I pray for the strength to complete the task.


~Fifth Step Prayer~

Higher Power,
My inventory has shown me who I am,
yet I ask for Your help in admitting my wrongs
to another person and to You.
Assure me, and be with me, in this Step,
for without this Step I cannot progress in my recovery.
With Your help, I can do this, and I do it.



~Sixth Step Prayer~

Dear God,
I am ready for Your help in removing from me the defects of character
which I now realize are an obstacle to my recovery.
Help me to continue being honest with myself
and guide me toward spiritual and mental health.



~Seventh Step Prayer~
(Page 76 - A. A. Big Book)

My Creator,
I am now willing that you should have all of me,
good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me
every single defect of character
which
stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows.
Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do your bidding.
Amen


~Eighth Step Prayer~

Higher Power,
I ask Your help in making my list of all those I have harmed.
I will take responsibility for my mistakes,
and be forgiving to others as You are forgiving to me.
Grant me the willingness to begin my restitution.
This I pray.



~Ninth Step Prayer~

Higher Power,
I pray for the right attitude to make my amends,
being ever mindful not to harm others in the process.
I ask for Your guidance in making indirect amends.
Most important, I will continue to make amends by
staying abstinent, helping others, and growing in spiritual progress.



~Tenth Step Prayer~

I pray I may continue:
To grow in understanding and effectiveness;
To take daily spot check inventories of myself;
To correct mistakes when I make them;
To take responsibility for my actions;
To be ever aware of my negative and self-defeating attitudes and
behaviors;
To keep my willfulness in check;
To always remember I need Your help;
To keep love and tolerance of others as my code;
And to continue in daily prayer how I can best serve You,
my Higher Power.



~Eleventh Step Prayer~

Higher Power,
As I understand You,
I pray to keep my connection with You open and
clear from the confusion of daily life.
Through my prayers and meditation I ask especially for
freedom from self-will, rationalization, and wishful thinking.
I pray for the guidance of correct thought and positive action.
Your will Higher Power, not mine, be done.



~Twelfth Step Prayer~

Dear God,
My spiritual awakening continues to unfold.
The help I have received I shall pass on and give to others,
both in and out of the Fellowship.
For this opportunity I am grateful.
I pray most humbly to continue walking day by day on
the road of spiritual progress.
I pray for the inner strength and wisdom to practice the principles of
this way of life in all I do and say.
I need You, my friends,
and the Program every hour of every day.
This is a better way to live.

The origins of AA's adopted prayer The Serenity Prayer

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