Dear Lord, I know you are faithful and will give me the wisdom to help my friend. I trust that whatever comes from this prayer session that you will use it for the ultimate good of my friend, Rev. Emily Langston. I ask that you would give her guidance and peace of mind as she sets out on this new chapter in her life. I pray that you would protect her and guide her through any difficulties she might encounter during this time of change. Allow Your presence to be known throughout everything she does during this transition. Thank you for being with each of us throughout our lives and for always guiding us when we reach for your help.
The 3rd step prayer in big book states “heal my self-centeredness and help me to gain a better understanding of my own insufficiencies. Give me strength.”
3rd Step Prayer Meaning
For recovering addicts, the third step means letting go of self-will that blocks them from being useful to others and their “higher power.” It’s a type of spiritual surrender, giving up the need to try to control things outside of themselves.
Attempting to manage problematic relationships or situations is unnecessary stress. For those new to recovery, this kind of behavior can lead to depression, anxiety, and even relapse. The third step prayer comes early in the 12-steps for good reason.
In addition, the prayer asks for guidance about their “higher power’s” will for them. So, if their “higher power” is the recovery community, they may look for ways to better serve the group.
Both surrendering self-will and serving the community helps people in 12-step support groups to deepen their recovery. Also, it allows them to be a positive role model for newcomers struggling with the first two steps.
Finally, the third step and its associated prayer are considered the first “action step” in the 12-step model. Both steps one and two calls for acceptance and reflection. The 3rd step pray has recovering addicts making the decision to abandon what’s beyond their control.
Is the 12-Step Approach to Recovery Right for Me?
This is a very personal question. It comes with a caveat. Most health care experts don’t consider 12-step groups a replacement for addiction treatment. Often, though, it is an excellent aftercare option for people working on their recovery.
Success rates for 12-step groups are difficult to track for a number of reasons. Likely the biggest reason, though, are many members want to remain anonymous and don’t participate in studies.
That said, one long-term study found that a combination of addiction treatment and AA improved sobriety outcomes in the one to three-year range.
What’s most important is getting help if you need it. Addiction is treatable and countless people have recovered, repaired damaged relationships, and are living better lives now.
3rd step prayer in my own words
3rd step prayer in big book
God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and 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!
The third step prayer is a prayer from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, written by the co-founder of AA, Bill Wilson. It is intended to help people who are struggling with alcoholism to regain control over their own lives, and to find peace and hope for the future.
The prayer begins: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…
3rd Step Prayer
God, I offer myself to you – to build with me and do with me as you will. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do your bidding. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of your power, love and way of life. May I do your will always!
Dear God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and 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!
God, I offer myself to Thee.
To build with me and do with me as Thou wilt.
Take away my defects of character, my limitations, my sins.
I offer them to Thee, for I cannot reform them myself.
All that I am or hope to be, I owe to Thee.
original 3rd step prayer
It isn’t fully clear who first wrote the Third Step prayer. Many people have attributed it to either Bill W. or Dr. Bob, the co-founders of AA in the early 1900s. But recent research into this question has led to a different possibility.
Program member Harold Hill may be the actual author, and at a much later date. He published a form of it in his 1976 book, How to be a Winner. Here is an excerpt:
“Lord, take over the management of my life, my affairs, everything about me. Take over the decision making, because I haven’t done too well on my own. Take over the parts of my life that I’m ready to surrender to You, and help me to surrender more. Thank You, Lord, for understanding how hard it is for me to give up myself.”
Since anonymity is built into the AA philosophy, authorship seems to matter less to people than the power of the message. Millions in recovery, as well as the family and friends who support them, have been challenged by this call to release their lives and themselves over to God’s authority.
Third Step Prayer Reflected in Scripture
Though this prayer is most associated with recovery programs, it’s theme is universal: living a self-directed life versus becoming more self-less. Everyone faces this choice as part of the maturing process.
Christians can see this truth in Scripture. All through the Bible, God challenged people to release control of their lives into His hands. He wanted them to become more like Him, willing to see and respond to the needs of others. Most of all, He wanted believers to show the world His love.
Looked at in this light, each section of the Third Step prayer corresponds closely to God’s Word. Every phrase of it reflects the heart of someone who wants to live rightly.
God, I offer myself to Thee:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. – James 4:7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. – 1 Peter 5:6
To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:9
Relieve me of the bondage of self:
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. – Luke 18:14
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. – Philippians 2:3
That I may better do Thy will:
…so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God… – Colossians 1:10
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 7:21
Take away my difficulties:
But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. – Psalm 22:19
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:16
That victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life:
Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. – Psalm 66:16
I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises. – Hebrews 2:12
When read altogether, The Third Step prayer is like a beautiful response to this request the Apostle Paul makes of the early church in Rome:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. – Romans 12:1