Suggestions About Prayer And Meditation From The Big Book

Make no requests in prayer for yourself only.

Never pray for your own selfish ends.

Select and memorize a few set prayers that emphasize the principles of the steps.

Ask a priest, minister, or Rabbi about helpful books and prayers that emphasize the principles of the Steps.

Be quick to see where religious people are right.

Make use of what religious people have to offer. (Page 87 BB)

Morning Prayer

God direct my thinking today so that it be divorced of self pity, dishonesty, self-will, self-seeking and fear.

God inspire my thinking, decisions and intuitions. Help me to relax and take it easy. Free me from doubt and indecision.

Guide me through this day and show me my next step.

God give me what I need to take care of any problems.

I ask all these things that I may be of maximum service to you and my fellow man in the name of the Steps I pray. AMEN

Evening Prayer

God forgive me where I have been resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid today.

Help me to not keep anything to myself but to discuss it all openly with another person - show me where I owe an apology and help me make it.

Help me to be kind and loving to all people. Use me in the mainstream of life God.

Remove worry, remorse or morbid (sick) reflections that I may be of usefulness to others. AMEN

Twelve Step Prayers

First Step Prayer: GOD, I admit I am powerless. 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 of my denial.

Second Step Prayer: God, I pray for an open mind so I may come to believe in 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.

Third Step Prayer: 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! AMEN

Fourth Step Prayer: GOD, It is I who has made my life a mess. I have done it, and 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: GOD, 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 will do it.

Sixth Step Prayer: GOD, I am ready for Your help in removing from me the defects of character which I now realize are obstacles to my recovery. Help me to continue being honest with myself and guide me toward spiritual and mental health.

Seventh Step Prayer: MY CREATOR, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good & bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you & my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do Your bidding. AMEN

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

Ninth Step Prayer: GOD, give me the strength and direction to do the right thing no matter what the consequences may be. Help me to consider others and not harm them in any way. Help me to consult with others before I take any actions that would cause me to be sorry. Help me to not repeat such behaviors. Show me the way of Patience, Tolerance, Kindliness, and Love and help me live the spiritual life. AMEN

Tenth Step Prayer: GOD, remove the Selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear that has cropped up in my life right now. Help me to discuss this with someone immediately and make amends quickly if I have harmed anyone. Help me to cease fighting anything and anyone. Show me where I may be helpful to someone else. Help me react sanely; not cocky or afraid. How can I best serve You - Your will, not mine be done. AMEN

Eleventh Step Prayer: GOD, I’m agitated and doubtful right now. Help me to stop and remember that I've made a decision to let You be my God. Give me the right thoughts and actions. God, save me from fear, anger, worry, self pity or foolish decisions and that Your will, not my will, be done. AMEN

Twelfth Step Prayer: GOD, Having had a spiritual experience, I must now remember that "faith without works is dead." And PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. So, God, please help me to carry this message to other alcoholics! Provide me with the guidance and wisdom to talk with another alcoholic because I can help when no one else can. Help me secure his confidence and remember he is ill.