Where is the St Francis prayer in AA?
The Saint Francis Prayer is often referred to as the 11th Step Prayer in AA. In some meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, the prayer is said followed by a period of mediation. The words in the prayer have such depth and weight that we should take some time to reflect on them to fully absorb the meaning.
From page 63 of Alcoholics Anonymous - the Big Book: We were now at Step Three. Many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him: "God, I offer myself to Thee - to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is offence, let me bring pardon. Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Eleventh Step Prayer
Open and clear from the confusion of daily life. 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.
On page 86 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, the first 11th step prayer is: “God, direct my thinking, especially that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest, or self-seeking motives.” This is meant to be prayed in the morning before we start our day.
Second Step Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know in my heart that only you can restore me to sanity. Addictive behavior from me this day. Heal my spirit & restore in me a clear mind.
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!
We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use.
"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."
origin of the prayer
For many years the prayer was attributed to St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), but modern research has established, beyond argument, that it is not his work. In fact he had been dead almost 700 years when it was first printed, anonymously, by a French clerical magazine, La Clochette, in 1912.
What is the meaning of the Prayer of St. Francis?
Francis" reflects the spirit and outlook of the man for whom it is named. The prayer is a petition to God that we might live up to the true way of being-in-the-world that God intends for the human family.
St. Francis of Assisi, who was born in the 12th century, probably had nothing to do with it. An article published this week in L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, said the prayer in its current form dates only from 1912, when it appeared in a French Catholic periodical.
10th Step Prayer
God, please help me watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment and fear. When these crop up in me, help me to immediately ask you to remove them from me and help me discuss these feelings with someone.
Step 11 helps guide members in moments of confusion or unbalance, teaching them to stop and ask themselves or their higher power for the right way to proceed. For many, this exercise is self-reflection; for others, it is asking God for guidance. The end result usually turns out the same.
Step 11 Promises
“What used to be the hunch, or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.” Page 87.
What Is Step 12? In Al-Anon, the twelfth step reads "try to carry the message to 'others'" and in Alcoholics Anonymous it says "to alcoholics." But the principle is the same. In order to work all 12 of the steps, you must try to help others.
The process of overcoming a resentment is a two-step process: Firstly, we express compassion for the person who has angered us, by saying the fourth step prayer, as described on page 66 of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous), then.
At the end of most AA meetings, we join hands and recite the Lord's Prayer. Some people find this appalling, feeling as if it forces us to accept a specific definition of a Higher Power.
Actually, there are many prayers associated with the Fourth Step, such as this 4th step Resentment Prayer, also from the Friends of Bill W website: God, Please help me to be free of anger and to see that the world and its people have dominated me.
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.”
What is the AA 6th step prayer?
Sixth Step Prayer
Dear 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.
To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Forever and ever in the next.
So, Lord, I come to You now praying for healing for my sick pet, (pet's name). I am in need of Your help. Help them, Lord, deliver (pet's name) from any pain and suffering. Grant (pet's name Your peace as I place him/her in Your capable hands.
Francis" reflects the spirit and outlook of the man for whom it is named. The prayer is a petition to God that we might live up to the true way of being-in-the-world that God intends for the human family.
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.”