12 Step Prayers – A Prayer For Each AA Step
Wherever you are on your recovery journey, and however you define your Higher Power, you will find spiritual support in the 12 step prayers.
First Step Prayer
Dear Lord,
I admit that I am powerless over my addiction.
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 denial of my addiction.
Second Step Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I know in my heart that only you can restore me to sanity.
I humbly ask that you remove all twisted thought &
Addictive behavior from me this day.
Heal my spirit & restore in me a clear mind.
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!
Fourth Step Prayer
Dear God,
It is I who has 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 I will also include that which is good.
I pray for the strength to complete the task.
Fifth Step Prayer
Higher Power,
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 do it.
Sixth Step Prayer
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 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 and bad.
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.
Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do your bidding.
Eighth Step Prayer
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 restitution.
This I pray.
Ninth Step Prayer
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.
Tenth Step Prayer
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 & tolerance of others as my code; and
To continue in daily prayer how I can best serve You,
My Higher Power.
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.
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.
Twelfth Step Prayer
Dear God,
My spiritual awakening 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
On the 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 the program every hour of every day.
This is a better way to live.
Many of the people who are in recovery have found that the 12 step prayers not only aid in helping you find your own higher power, but that the 12 step prayers also bring a feeling of serenity and hope. There are more prayers, besides the 12 step prayers, that are quite common in AA, and in other recovery programs as well. See this page for more prayers.