Praying Steps 6 and 7 of The Twelve Steps

 We’ve been looking at some of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous during the past couple of days.  One of the reasons we’re doing so is that a lot of behaviour has been “hidden” for many folks during this pandemic and times of social isolation.  A number of folks are fearful of coming back into company with others and having their weaknesses and defects put on display.  There’s a bit of “underlying panic” in some folks as they contemplate things opening up again. 

God is longing for us to know freedom and blessing and then to be able to bring that back into our work and social relationships as we get the opportunity to meet together again.

The evil one would love to twist and make something ugly of this wonderful new season that is ahead of us.  God wants it to be the best season ever in our lives.  So, we have a choice today – listen to the ugly accusations and fear-mongering of the evil one or give our attention to the instructions of God as He encourages us and shows us a reliable path forward.

This is where Steps 6 and 7 actually fit in so well.  They are:

Step Six:  We're entirely ready to have God remove all our defects of character.

Step Seven: Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings

Coming to the place where we are ready to hand over these issues to God and give Him control over the way and the timing of their removal isn’t easy.  It takes courage to come to God with issues that have made us vulnerable. 

Having the courage to change does not mean that we will never experience some fear. Courage means that we take advantage of the little strength we find within ourselves, that we find some ways to encourage ourselves, and that we stubbornly stick to God’s program for us. It means finding enough strength to take the next step and do the next right thing, trusting that God is working it all together for good in His plan for our lives.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6.   

As part of our prayer in asking God to give us the willingness to let go of our defects of character and then surrendering them to Him, let’s use these trustworthy words from Psalm 51:

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.  Psalm 51:1-4

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.  Psalm 51:7-12

In order to move into a life of living well, we will now have to establish a new lifestyle of integrity, kindness, and respect.  It seems an impossible task, a standard that we are unable to attain.  On our own it is!  But God is able and willing to help us complete the task if we will turn to Him and give Him permission to work in our attitudes and reactions. 

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

And I declare that: God is working in me*, giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Psalm 14:2-3, Philippians 2:13

*pronoun “you” changed to “me”

So as we said yesterday, if we are working on one day of behaviours and failures and hurts that need to be sorted out with God or a long period of time in our life, it doesn’t matter.  The time to begin sort it out with God is now.  Things will only improve when we do.  If it’s been a long time since you made an inventory of your heart and life, maybe you’ll want to find a trusted person to speak with who will encourage you and help you as you do this work. 

All of us have character defects and we all express them in one way or another every day of our lives and that’s why we need ongoing healing and cleansing from God that is available.  It is only God’s work in us that helps us let go of character defects and allows God to build us up in His love and grace.  It’s a great journey.  Let’s take one more step along the path today.