We have the framework for step 11 in place if we are doing the daily suggestions. 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. This collective wisdom succinctly captures the meanings of prayer and meditation so well. Big book of alcoholics anonymous 11th step meditation. The book became very popular and new aa groups began popping up all over as a result. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that i may better do thy will. It came to me that this is the spiritual axiom and the serenity prayer in the aa big book. Eleventh step prayer pleasant hill aa alcoholics anonymous. Twelvestep guide to using the alcoholics anonymous big book. Oct 16, 2020 step 11 we 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. They had quiet time in the morning where they would read a spiritual section. A guided meditation based on the 11th step of alcoholics anonymous and other 12 step programs. Like any spiritual practice, working step 11 of alcoholics anonymous will be intensely personal to you and reflect your relationship with your higher power.
Breaking down step eleven of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. The seventh step prayer tidewater intergroup council. This prayer can be found on page 63 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. In fact, it is our experience, that a practice of meditation will enhance the benefits of all the steps mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Twelve step prayers alcoholics anonymous cleveland. 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. Beginning the 11th step practice of quiet time by fr. Prayer and meditation are our principal means of con.
Many members choose to practice step 11 by participating in traditional expressions of prayer, be that a vocal or mental communication with your higher power. God, please forgive me and tell me what corrective measures should be taken. The eleventh step prayer twelve steps and twelve traditions, p. Page 67 of the book, alcoholics anonymous, states, resentment is the number one offender. Most members of alcoholics anonymous will say this simple suggestion about step 11. I also like the eleventh step prayer where we ask god what he would have me to be. Though hardly a bible student, bill wilson explicitly refers to god as creator twelve times big book, pp. Mar 26, 2015 big book page 8485 while the text above is referring to the efforts of step nine, it is our belief and experience that these are also the promises of meditation.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with god as we understood him, praying only for his will for us and the power to carry that out. Morning prayer god, direct my thinking today so that it be empty of self pity, dishonesty, selfwill, selfseeking and fear. 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. I have written and talked about the spiritual axiom. Please show me all through the day what my next step is to be and give me whatever i need to take care of such problems. Prayer is talking to god and meditation is listening to gods reply. On awakening 11th step meditation amanda hawse, insight timer. Morning before we begin our day, we ask god to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from selfpity, dishonest or selfseeking motives. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. The eleventh step prayers derived from the text found page 86 of alcoholics anonymous the big book. Big book of alcoholics anonymous, pleasant hill aa group, chapter 1 bills story, there is a solution, dr bobs nightmare, physican, heal thyself. The serenity prayer is said at almost every aa meeting.
May 18, 2018 alcoholics anonymous aa 12 step 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. Page 8788 bb drunks against mad mothers fear f everything and run. Prayers and promises of the big book daily reprieve. Bill wigmore in the 11th step, we are directed to improve our conscious contact with god through the practice of prayer and meditation. Inspirational wall art for aa meeting rooms, and colorful home. Reprinted from the book alcoholics anonymous twelve steps and twelve traditions with permission of a. I knew nothing about prayer or meditation so i turned to pages 86 and 87 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous where i found a morning and evening prayer and meditation outline that worked. Jul 30, 2018 i have been thinking about writing on the paragraph on the bottom of page 87 to top of page 88. Prayers from the big book of alcoholics anonymous big book. My creator, i am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. 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.
Step eleven 101 in a mood in which we can focus undisturbed on constructive imagination, we might proceed like this. How can i best serve theethy will not mine be done. Dec 19, 2019 however, if you want to progress to the final step, then you must integrate the alcoholics anonymous step 11 in your life. The third step prayer the seventh step prayer eleventh step prayer. They begin with we ask god in this thought, you did a great job about breaking down the 10th step prayer into its two distinct parts. Step 11 prayers and meditations evening prayer and meditation big book, page 86. This recording begins with a reading from pages 8688 of the big book, on awakening. Format for eleventh step guidance meeting big book sponsorship. 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. As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. Prayers from the big book of alcoholics anonymous i earnestly advise every alcoholic to read this book through, and though perhaps he came to scoff, he may remain to pray.
Step 11 meditation a closer look aa the original way group. Grant me strength, as i go out from here, to do your bidding. Step 11 overview 11th step prayer recovery cpnnection. Aa prayers, big book prayers and inspirational recovery 12. Dear god please help me to set aside everything i think i know about people. Eleventh step prayer as we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. One of the underlying principles of the alcoholics anonymous program is that nothing. The process, proven to be a lifesaver by these people, also enables. God, i offer myself to thee to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt. The reading is approximately 4 minutes followed by 5 minutes of music, guided and unguided meditation during. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day thy will be done. Derived from the text found page 86 of alcoholics anonymous the big book.
Resentment prayers alcoholics anonymous district 21 22. Commit to a spiritual practice what is step 11 of aa. Step four prayer freedom from resentment step 4 of the 12. For without this step i cannot progress in my recovery. Twelve step prayers spiritual alcoholics anonymous cleveland. In step 11, you discover the plan that your higher power has for you, and you gain the will to carry it out. For nearly 20 years, im sad to report that the real meaning of conscious contact had always eluded me. In the pages of alcoholics anonymous, users are encouraged to find a god of their understanding. Have you kept something to yourself which should be discussed with another person at once. Learning the process of overcoming resentment literally saves the lives of people who are afflicted with the disease of alcoholism. Jan 02, 2020 most members of alcoholics anonymous will say this simple suggestion about step 11. In early sobriety i was told that everyone who relapsed were not doing three things. The third step prayer from page 63 of alcoholics anonymous the big book.
As the step reads it states that we seek through prayer and meditation. The 11th step suggests continued prayer and meditation as part of a way of living. Step 11 of the program encourages people to reach out to god and to accept that he or she has a plan for their life. There are no requirements or exact instructions, however, aas founders did have a certain context in mind. Francis, this prayer was almost certainly not written by him. Nov 28, 2010 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. God, inspire my thinking, decisions and intuitions. Eleventh step prayer higher power, as i understand you, i pray to keep my connection with you open and clear from the confusion of daily life. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with god as we understood him, praying only. Many of us said to our maker, as we understood him.
Addiction recovery, christian 12 steps, 11th step prayers. Freedom from selfwill, rationalization, and wishful thinking. But heres a proven, ancient and modern approach that bill wilson used in his writing of the 11th step chapter of his twelve steps and twelve traditions classic, shared by aa, al anon and in part also by na as well. Resentment prayers these instructions are for the below prayer big book, freedom from bondage, p. 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. The seventh step prayer from page 76 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. An 18 minute session of prayer and contemplation as suggested by the big book of alcoholics anonymous.
1140 1398 735 651 744 90 557 1702 1168 1659 373 409 687 1379 1675 1541 1200 942 1717 694 585 453 1406 275 1405