Francis, this prayer was almost certainly not written by him. The nightly inventory will help you work step 11 and includes information taken directly from page 85 of the big book which states. I began talking to my higher power and getting out into nature to experience a great peace and joy. To continue in daily prayer how i can best serve you, my higher power. God, show me what i need to do to take care of any problems. Once more we read our prayer, and again try to see what its inner essence is. Atheist, agnostic, and the faithful are in these pages in an unbelievable narrative.
Francis of assisi is affectionately known as the eleventh step prayer as it appears in the book 12 steps and 12 traditions in the reading for the eleventh step. Help me to discuss this with someone immediately and make amends quickly if i have harmed anyone. Alcoholics anonymous is well known for their 12step program that focuses on helping people achieve sobriety, make amends, and improve the quality of their life. Bill wigmore in the 11th step, we are directed to improve our conscious contact with god through the practice of prayer and meditation. Here is the step 11 worksheet created for our group. The 12 step prayer book a collection of 12 step prayers. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with god as.
In step 11, even an atheist could get in better contact with love, embrace love, and let that love ooze out into humanity. Emotional sobriety and food step 11 inventory 12212014 emotional sobriety and food step 11 inventory 12212014 how to listen to god below are various versions of the pamphlets how to begin practicing quiet time a. Many of us have heard of the ninth step promises from page 8384 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Yet, we believe we can make some definite and valuable suggestions. Step 11 sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with god as we understood god, praying only for knowledge of gods will for us and the power to carry that out. You may find the complete text on the official web site of alcoholics anonymous on this page you can discover what this book tells about. There are, however, additional promises in the big book. In a nutshell, step 11 says to discover the plan god, as you understand him, has for your life and find the power to carry it out. Morning prayer god, direct my thinking today so that it be empty of self pity, dishonesty, selfwill, selfseeking and fear. There is a direct linkage among selfexamination, meditation, and prayer. Recovery eleventh step morning and nightly prayers. Well think now about the man who fi rst uttered the prayer.
All bb quotes are from the 1st edition of the big book depression is not a sign of weakness. We especially ask for freedom from selfwill, and are careful to make no requests for ourselves only we may ask for ourselves, however, if. The seventh step prayer big book alcoholics anonymous. Prayer of saint francis the aa 11th step prayer as we jump into december and the christmas season, please let this prayer help you like it helps me. The problem is some are written in the big book alcoholics anonymous or in the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and others are only inspired by or derived. Download pamphlets and handouts to use in big book group sessions our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. We asked his protection and care with complete abandon. An 18 minute session of prayer and contemplation as suggested by the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Whereas step ten kept you mindful of yourself, step eleven changes the focus to god, or your chosen higher power. The eleventh step prayer twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. This is the blue print of the 12 step recovery programs. God, direct my thinking today so that it be empty of self pity, dishonesty, selfwill, selfseeking and fear. My creator, i am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad.
The following is a list ofapproximately 150 promises that i compiled from the first edition of the 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. Step eleven 101 in a mood in which we can focus undisturbed on constructive imagination, we might proceed like this. Please keep my thought life clear from wrong motives and help me employ my mental faculties, that my thoughtlife might be placed on a higher plane, the plane of inspiration. For many people in recovery, step 11 presents a bit of a challenge. After all, i feel like thats really what we all want deep down. We especially ask for freedom from selfwill, and are careful to make. Prayers in the big book of alcoholics anonymous concord. 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.
The text used to develop the prayers are shown at the end of the prayer in parenthesis. Steps by the big book step 11 steps by the big book. The twelve step prayers were created using the text of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Or try simply using the na 3rd step prayer as a chant. Did you know, before the big book was published, the early members of aa studied the bible. Its a good idea to read steps ten and eleven out of the big book each day for a few months, as part of your morning time with god, until you internalize the incredibly effective way of life these two steps offer. Step 11 relaxationmeditation prayer steps by the big book. Steps by the big book step 10 steps by the big book. Beginning the 11th step practice of quiet time by fr. The foundation of the program, as laid out in the big book and elaborated on more fully in the twelve steps and twelve traditions, is very succinctly described in the following statement. Step 11 relaxationmeditationprayer steps by the big book. The eleventh step starts at the bottom of page 85 and extends through page 88.
Twelve steps and twelve traditions 11th step meditation. Links to more information about spirituality and the 11th step. This prayer acts as a great guideline for how we can begin to strengthen our contact with our higher power. Bookmarks and wallet cards can be custom made with your logo or personalbusiness information printed on the back before laminating.
First written in 1939, the 4th edition was published in 2001. Francis of assisi from the aa twelve steps and twelve traditions book, page 99 lord, make me a channel of thy peace that where there is hatred, i may bring love that where there is wrong, i may bring the spirit of forgiveness. Renoux aa prayer 12 step prayers recovery prayer humility prayer chapter 6 into action alcoholics anonymous aa 12 steps 12 steps of aa audio book. It helps me to focus on others and to keep me humble and grateful for all the blessings in my life that i have received from god. Prayer and meditation are our principal means of con. Step 11 overview 11th step prayer recovery cpnnection. Guide me through this day and show me my next step. Step 11 prayers and meditations overeaters anonymous.
Alcoholics anonymous aa 12step program as described in the the big book, aas guide for people recovering from alcoholism, has many references to god and religious themes, and step 11 is no different. Addiction recovery, christian 12 steps, 11th step prayers. Addiction recovery, christian 12 steps, 10th step prayers. God, i offer myself to thee to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt. Prayers from the big book of alcoholics anonymous big. God, inspire my thinking, decisions and intuitions. Some of the promises are directly associated with completion of a step. Step ten marked the first in a series of what are called maintenance steps, those that you continue working daily. Chapter 6 into action of the big book contains the 7th step prayer which describes the 12 step program of alcoholics anonymous. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it.
God, i offer myself to thee to build with me and do with me as thou wilt. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of. This step, like step seven, can be difficult for agnostic and atheist participants, but even the most devout members of alcoholics anonymous fumble a bit. This version of the prayer of st francis of assissi is taken from step 11 chapter 11, page 99 of the twelve steps and twelve traditions, a book published by alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. 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. 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. Big book of alcoholics anonymous 11th step meditation. Reprinted from the book alcoholics anonymous twelve steps and twelve traditions with permission of a.
God please direct my thinking and keep my thoughts divorced from self pity, dishonest or selfseeking motives. The step 7 prayer, from page 76 of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, is. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that i may better do thy will. The eleventh step prayers derived from the text found page 86 of alcoholics anonymous the big book. Derived from the text found page 86 of alcoholics anonymous the big book. Morning we usually conclude the period of mediation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. The big book bunch on taking step 11 aussie chuck on a nontheist view of step 11. Aa big book 10th step prayer god remove the selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear that has cropped up in my life right now. As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. Twelve step prayers alcoholics anonymous cleveland. My hope is that these prayers will provide a framework for you to develop your own or expand on the wording below.
We especially ask for freedom from selfwill, and are careful to make no requests for ourselves only we may ask. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day thy will. A person facing this step may not understand what it means, how to apply it in his or her life, or may have shunned religion and spirituality altogether. For nearly 20 years, im sad to report that the real.