Praying Steps 1, 2 and 3 of The Twelve Steps

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous have been an enormous help to millions of people who have struggled not only with alcohol but a variety of other substances and addictive habits from  food addiction to pornography, gambling or anger issues.  The list is long. 

The steps are set out in a particular order for good reasons.  The first three are a package that really seem to go together and they really do echo numerous references in the Bible where these principles are laid out.

We first admit that we are powerless over something and that our life has become unmanageable. 

Step One - For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  Romans 7:18

Then we embark on a journey where we “come to believe” that a power greater than ourselves can restore us – yes us – to sanity (although we’re not even sure what sanity looks like.) 

Step Two - It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  Philippians 2:13

Finally, we make a decision to turn our will and our life over to the care of God as we understand Him.  It’s only in the presence of real care that we can dare to be ourselves and let down our guard, own our pain and insecurities, and find the help that we need. 

Step Three - God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

And then hundreds of years before any of those words were written and thousands of years before the Twelve Steps of AA were produced we find such common experience in Psalm 34.  It strikes me every time I read it.  It fills me with hope and reminds me to call out to God and seek God’s help today, no matter how strong or weak I feel.  Here are just the first few verses:

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.  Psalm 34:1-3

Thank you so much God, that when we were helpless we found help by calling out to You.  We’re grateful that we don’t have to pretend to be strong and have all the answers but to simply come to You for whatever we need.  We can freely admit that we are powerless and that are lives are unmanageable without You.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.  Psalm 34:4-6

You took us one tiny step at a time from not knowing You to not trusting You hardly at all, to the point where we knew that we’d always find a welcome and comfort and loving support.  Thank You so much for You saving help.  I don’t think we can even imagine how many troubles You have saved us from let alone the ones we are aware of. 

Thank You, most of all, for freeing us from all our fears and lifting the weight of shame off our shoulders.  We ask You to keep informing us of any residual bits that give us heavy hearts and help us to let those accusations and condemning thoughts go.  We are so glad to be able to look up and stand tall as the people You have created us to be.  Those You set free, God, are free indeed.

For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!  Psalm 34:7-8

We’re thankful for each day of goodness that You have given us.  We don’t want to get lost in what was missed in our yesterdays or get in a fuss over what we don’t know about tomorrow.  Help us today to simply live in Your care, in this day, trusting Your loving understanding of us and our situation to prepare all we need to have a good and joyful day.  We’re not quite sure how You do it but we know You can as we make that decision to turn our will and our life over to Your care, one moment, one situation, one day at a time. 

And so together today we pray that God, the source of hope, will fill us* completely with joy and peace because we trust in him. Then we will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 

*pronoun change from You to us