Step 2 second step prayer i pray for an open mind so i may come to believe in a power greater than myself. Many members have learned, through times of quiet reflection, to work into their recovery life the answers their higher power has given them as a result of their active practice of prayer and. Chapter 5 how it works of the big book contains the 3rd step prayer which describes the 12 step program of alcoholics anonymous. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to know you better, by showing me what has been blocking me from you. God, i offer myself to thee to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt. Step two, whether you are following alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous, is a. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, courage to change the. A second edition with 44 new prayers of the bestselling book of. Lord, make me a channel of thy peacethat where there is hatred, i may bring lovethat where there is wrong, i may bring the spirit of forgivenessthat where there is discord, i may bring harmonythat where there is error, i may bring truththat where there is doubt, i may. Step 2 came to believe faith in one greater than oneself. The eleventh step prayer twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. God, grant me the serenity, to accept the things i can not change, courage to change the things i can. Recovery is a spiritual process and step three is when the doors of hope, faith and trust are opened allowing us to once again take a deep breath and feel the serenity. In fact, one of the possible names for aa then was, the james club after the book of james from the bible.
Step three prayer step 3 of the 12 steps of recovery. The step 7 prayer, from page 76 of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, is. In the big book, as the text alcoholics anonymous is known, we read the written words of the first 100 men and women of aa as they were put in the way of a spiritual awakening. God, relieve me of this fear and direct my attention to what you would have me be. This, the newcomer thinks, is just about the last straw. The step 2 phrase came to believe suggests a process and a progression of faith that evolves over time. The essence of step three is turning over your will, getting out of the way, and being restored to reality, honesty, balance and peace of mind. The text used to develop the prayers are shown at the end of the prayer in parenthesis. After you have accepted that you are powerless over your addiction and can no longer manage your life, you are prepared to begin on step two. Nothing short of continuous action upon these as a way of life can bring the muchdesired result. Breaking down step two of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Aa speaker powerless over alcohol and step 1 of alcoholism recovery part 1 of 5 duration.
My sponsor is strictly by the book he maid me start at the doctors opinion and when i got to the 3rd step prayer in how it works he asked me asked me the first to steps and i agreed then we went from there i took the third step and at once did. I will write down my wrongs but i will also include that which is good. Fifth step prayer higher power, my inventory has shown me. Step two is not about praying to a deity in which you do not believe. Probably the serenity prayer is most often associated with the 12 step program, but some other prayers that are commonly used are listed here for reference. Read about steps two and three from the aa big book, the 12 steps and 12 traditions and the little red book. Aa prayers the serenity prayer, both the long and short version of the prayer. Alcoholics anonymous aa helps recovering alcoholics work through 12 steps to aid with sobriety. Step 2 came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Here he shares insights into step two of aa, alcoholics anonymous 12 steps.
Meditation and prayer main channels to higher power. Steps by the big book step 2 steps by the big book. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with god as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out. I am so tired of drinking, and i know now that i cannot leave it on my own. Excerpts, reprinted from the big book, alcoholics anonymous, with permission of. Give me your protection and care as i abandon myself to you and give up my old ways and my old ideas just for today. He has helped so many individuals understand themselves by working these steps that father martin has made easy for all of us.
The 12 step prayer book a collection of 12 step prayers and inspirational readings second edition featuring 44 new prayers written and compiled by bill p. Step 1 we admitted we were powerless over alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable. Step one certainly serves as a foundation for future work, creating a firm underpinning on which the steps are erected. It opens the door to the rest of the steps and allows a person to begin the process of selfreflection step four and admitting the nature of ones wrongdoings step five. My creator, i am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. As the prior step was about letting go of pride, this step is about letting go of preconceived notions about what aa is and how it works, and making room for change. Step 4 took personal inventory inventory, and our ownership. God, grant me the serenity, to accept the things i can not change, courage to change the things i can, and wisdom to know the difference. In taking step 3 many of us said to our maker, as we understood him, the step 3 prayer found on page 63 of the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Breaking down step three of aa alcoholics anonymous. This step is described on roman numeral pages 25 32 xxv xxxii, on pages 1 44. The lords prayer sometimes referred to as the our father prayer. Connection between selfexamination and meditation and prayer. Stepbystep guide for sponsors a companion to aas big book.
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. We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready. Fourth step prayer dear god, it is i who has made my life a mess. Aa prayers from the basic text of alcoholics anonymous. God help me to show this person the same tolerance, pity and patience that i would cheerfully grant a sick friend. Daily meditations for twelve step beginnings and renewal.
The book alcoholics anonymous, aka the big book, is the basic text for the aa program of sobriety. Contents introduction guide for daily reading 1 serenity prayer 2 the lords prayer 3 prayer of saint francis of assisi 4 todays thought 5 sanskrit proverb 6 to be prayer. I pray for humility and the continued opportunity to increase my faith. Did you know, before the big book was published, the early members of aa studied the bible. Father, please show me if i have omitted anything and help me to. We, the authors of this book, believe a recovery program should be made up of meditation, prayer, and action. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that i may better do thy will. Twelve step prayers spiritual alcoholics anonymous cleveland. For those who are strong in their religious faith, step 2 can also present a challenge. The second step tells me i cannot do recovery alone. Aa prayers the serenity prayer god grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change. Step 6 ready to be released readiness for gods work in us. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. A collection of favorite 12 step prayers and inspirational readings 2rev ed by p.
Prayers in 12 step recovery program of alcoholics anonymous. This is a sick person, how can i be helpful to him. During step 3 of alcoholics anonymous, you create a plan for connecting with your higher power and learn the serenity prayer. Upon achieving step one the admission of powerlessness and step two agreeing that there is, in fact, a higher power, step three goes beyond words to actions. Jason wahler is a reality tv star in recovery and undoing the stigma around addiction. If you have a conviction as to the nature of god, it can be disconcerting to hear higher power being used rather than god. No matter what you believe in, this is the step in which you become open to the idea that faith in a higher power will help you. This step is described in parts of chapters 1, 2, 3, and all of chapter 4. This book, as with volume 1 of the 12 step prayer book, is a companion to the meditation book easy does it. Prayer, as commonly understood, is a petition to god.
As such, many people working a 12 step program have used certain prayers in relation to working certain steps or in their daily walk in recovery. The 12 step prayer book a collection of 12 step prayers. I love all of the 12 steps of aa, but step two is the one that gives us hope. Breaking down step two of aa alcoholics anonymous jason wahler. This book will try to help readers in each of these areas. Step 2 focuses on preparing alcoholics to let go of their need for control over everything in their lives by introducing the concept of a higher power. Father martin continues his life wisdom while speaking about step 2. Want jason wahler inperson for your next gathering. Step eleven 96 sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with god as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out. The twelve step prayers were created using the text of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. With step two we learn that we are not alone, and tha. The third step prayer big book alcoholics anonymous. First, we came, that is, we showed up and stumbled in the door.