Prayers for Living

[MajestyJo]

The following were received from Al-Anon, yet some are taken from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

I am sure that no matter what fellowship you call home, you will be able to utilize them in your own life.

Step One:

Today, I ask for help with my "ism"
Denial has kept me from seeing how powerless I am and how my life is unmanageable.

I need to learn and remember that I have an incurable illness and that acceptance is the only way to deal with it.

Step Two:

I pray for an open mind so I may come to believe ins a Power greater than myself.

I pray for humility and the continued opportunity to increase my faith.

I don't want to be crazy anymore.

Step Three:

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 my bear witness
To those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love and Thy Way of Life.
May I do Thy will always!

Step Four:

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 Ill also include that which is good.

I pray for the strength to complete this task.

Step Six:

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 recovry.

Help me to continue being honest with myself and guide me toward spiritual and mental health.

Step Seven:

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 usefullness to you and my fellows.

Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do your bidding. Amen.



Step Eight:

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 restitutions. This I pray.

Step Nine:

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.

Step Ten:

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.

Step Eleven:

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.

Step Twelve:

Dear God,

My spiritual aakening 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 ont he 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 Program every hour of every day.

This is a better way of life.

I will to will your will, not mine be done. Amen!

Prayer can be a thought. Be careful of what you ask for.