Here are three that i really like:



Morning Prayer
Dear God
So Far today, I've done all right
I haven't gossiped
I haven't lost my temper
I haven't been greedy
grumpy, nasty or even
over-indulgent
I am thankful for that.

But in a few minutes, God,
I'm going to get out of bed
and from then on I'm going
to need a lot of help!

Rev. Dott Brown

Thomas Merton's Prayer

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude"


The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Thanks Reed

Another prayer I try to use through my day and like.It is in the 12x12 I think page 100. I dont have it with me.

ST. FRANCIS' Prayer

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace,
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.

God Bless
Lionel

Lord,

Cleanse my heart of all deceit and teach me to be true.
Help me to have integrity in all I say & do.

I got that from Daily Word, and taped it to my bathroom mirror. That way, I remember to read it daily.

Prayers can be as simple as this.

AM waking up "Just for today God help me not to take the first drink"


PM going to sleep "Thankyou God for today's sobriety".

God bless


Lionel

Good morning to all.


The Big Book says

Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power?
Well, I was taught that if you were talking to God, You were praying and if you were listening, you were meditating.
Therefore, the problem becomes, how do we talk to God? Well, the Big Book gives us some thoughts and direct prayers for just this reason.

Prayers of the Big Book:

The Third step prayer:
Many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him: 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! pg. 63

The Seventh step prayer:
When ready, we say something like this: 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. Amen. (Pg76)

I try to use these prayers whenever possible. In the morning when I wake, or when I am out walking. Especially the Seventh step prayer it grounds me when my mind starts to wonder if I use it as a mantra it brings me back into the now so I can enjoy the beauty that surrounds me. There is so much to see its not like before when everything was looked at through blinkers and was just grey.

Have a sober day keep well, keep safe
God Bless
Lionel

The 23rd Psalm is my prayer for courage and strength. When I was a little girl at school we used to sing it often at morning assembly. It is a popular choice at funerals in the UK and has always brought me comfort at sad times.


The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want:
He maketh me down to lie
In pastures green; he leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for His own Name's sake.

Yea, though I walk in Death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.

Scots Metrical Psalter, 1650.

Hi Gailly another version of the 23 Psalm for those in recovery it is not ment to replace the original.

Hope you like it.


23rd Psalm of Recovery

The Lord is my sponsor, I shall not want.
He makes me to go to many meetings.
He leads me to sit back, relax & listen with an open mind.
He restores my soul, my sanity & my health.
He leads me in the path of sobriety, serenity & fellowship for my own sake.
He teaches me to think, to take it easy, to live & let live & do first things first.
He makes me more humble & grateful.He teaches me to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can & gives me the wisdom to know the difference.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of despair, frustration, guilt & remorse, I will fear no evil.
For Thou are with me, your program, your way of life, your twelve steps, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: rationalization, fear, anxiety, self-pity, resentment.
You anoint my confused mind & jangled nerves with knowledge, understanding & hope.
No longer am I alone, neither am I afraid, nor sicken, nor helpless, nor hopeless.
My cups runs over.
Surely sobriety & serenity shall follow me every day of my life, one day at a time, twenty-four hours at a time.
As I surrender my will to You & carry Your message to others, I will dwell in the house of Higher Power, as I understand him, one day at a time, forever & ever.
Amen

God Bless...

Lionel

Lionel, I like the version for the alcoholic, I have never heard that before. Thank you so much for sharing it!

This topic is great to read in general, it is great to share these prayers of inspiration and hope. Thanks to everyone.

I believe you can't recover without prayer.

Its Sunday afternoon and I am about to drive into the City and pick my wife up from work.

Its been a really quite day . Wow this almost sounds normal.

How life can change in recovery and when your having fun.

I remember when I couldnt leave the front door to go to work or even check the mail without alcohol in my body because of the unfounded fears and paranoia.

Then or Now.

Now, Now, Now.

Enjoy your day. This is a prayer I take with me always.

God Bless.

Lionel


Five finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the priminister, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

I could not carry on my life without prayer. I like the Serenity Prayer which keeps me sober but I also pray daily to my favourite Saints to help me cope with what life throws at me. The St. Francis Prayer is sung in our church very often. Yes I believe in prayer.

Hi everyone I have just come back from my granddaughters school where she and two others were awarded gold medallions for outstanding achievements. I am so grateful I am sober and was able to attend. These a precious moments in recovery for me.
God bless All have a great 24
Lionel

A Prayer from one who is willing,
but does not yet believe


I want desperately to refrain from using alcohol and drugs.
I am willing to follow the path taken by those who are already sober.
They say I must come to believe in a Spiritual Power.
I would like to do that.
So, here I go..

Dear Spirit,
It is not for me to say there is no God, but
I do not know of your existence. Please reveal yourself to me.
I do not know your name. Please tell me what to call You.
I do not know your nature. Please help me to not worry about that right now.
I do not know your church.
Please help me not to be concerned with theology
until, if ever, You think it is important to me.

I do not know how to pray.
Please teach me.

I ask that my prejudice about things spiritual be removed.
I ask that I be willing to be willing to accept the reality that is You.
Help me to learn from those who already know You.
Above all, though, at this time, keep me sober.

May this beginning be the beginning of my knowing You.
Help me to be willing always to see and know You.
Let me see Your works.
Let me be open to Your working within me.
I invite You to be alive within me.

Please show me Your path for me.
Please help me to climb onto Your path.
Please turn me in the right direction, and
Please prod me gently to move toward You.

Help me to pray better next time, and
Let that be soon.
Thank You.

This is only one persons version of the Serenity Prayer
something to look at. How you perceive it may be totally different thats up to you.
God Bless

Lionel


The Prayer For Serenity

God, Grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and Wisdom to know the difference.

Many folks do not understand the meanings of the Serenity Prayer, and of consequence are left in a limbo of constant confusion as they continue to battle the conditions of life. Let us examine this marvelous Prayer of Supplication to the Higher Power, which speaks to all human beings from deep down within.......

God.... A name and concept of this Higher Power, which most folks erroneously conceive to be outside themselves, separate from and alien to themselves, a "Santa Claus" god which is supposed to fulfill their dreams, their wishes and wants, to "make" the conditions of Life comply with their desire and their idea of "religious correctness"... Sorry about that, it just doesn't happen that way.... The Big Book of AA, on Page 55, establishes the conditions and locale of our relationship and understanding which we are to acquire of "Our" Higher Power.....
"We finally saw that faith in some kind of God was a part of our make-up, just as much as the feeling we have for a friend. [[ But of a much greater friend, for in fact it is our own self, Our Own True Self, that portion of localized divinity that He has given to each of His Children. ]] Sometimes we had to search fearlessly, but He was there. He was as much a fact as we were. We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us." ..... We are never separate from God. Separation from God is only an illusion that we have created.

Grant...to assure (in its original meaning) a knowingness of the orderliness of God's eternity, a prized condition that we earn through our efforts of learning to apply the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to our lives, not an "undeserved gift" as we hear so many times around the tables of AA.

Me... the I Am, of self, the True Self, that portion of self which knows that it is, in all instances.

Serenity... Again a word that is misunderstood, that most folks take to mean a quiet, unruffled, calm, undisturbed, tranquil condition in the circumstances of life about us. In truth what it really means is Presence of Mind in the Here and Now, viewing the Reality of whatever conditions and circumstances that may be occurring ... Not fighting Reality with illusions of how things should or should not be.

To Accept... to acknowledge the Truth of Reality, to take what is offered or given, to receive willingly... As we are given Life, one moment, one condition, one circumstance, one happening at a time...God's Life for God's Kids has to be a happening. It can't be any other way.

the things I cannot change....Reality, period...Reality cannot be changed. It simply is. And no amount of mind bending illusion creating will change it. The Truth is the Truth and it needs no defense. The only thing we humans can do with Reality is change our point of view, our perspective. Reality itself will remain unchanged
.
Courage... The ability to make the Responsible Decisions Necessary and take Action to DO the things we already know need to be done in the face of unknown outcomes and consequences.. Our Life is determined by the decisions and actions that we take and the thoughts that we hold, by no other forces. We must in all cases live with the consequences of our decisions or our lack of decision. Life cannot be lived any other way.

to change the things I can...The only thing that we can change is our perspective as we view Reality, learning to make better Responsible Decisions, living our way to better thinking each moment.

And Wisdom to Know the Difference... Wisdom, an acquired trait through the experience of life, a recognition and remembrance of the things which do or do not coincide with Reality, which do or do not work, of the things which are true, which are honest, for that is the meaning of Truth, Rigorously Honest.
It has been said that a Wise Man's education toward understanding his own universe and reality (and to some extent yours) will embrace as much folly as he can afford. It is only to the degree that he can afford it, that he will be able to laugh at himself. If he embraces more folly than he can afford, he will cry.
The wise man knows that success in life is achieved by simply putting a whole lot of mistakes together in a way that works.

I have found this prayer to also be very useful and when I read it and say it there's a sense of warmth that comes over me. It is from the WINGS OF SPIRIT FOUNDATION-
IT'S CALLED THE GRACE PRAYER

FOR THEE I THIRST
INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT (MY SOUL, MY BODY, MY LIFE, THIS PROBLEM, ALL UNFORGIVEN STATES).
THY WILL IS MY WILL.
THY WILL BE DONE THROUGH ME.
HEAL ME AT DEPTH.
REVEAL THAT WHICH NEEDS
TO BE REVEALED.
HEAL THAT WHICH NEEDS
TO BE HEALED
SO I CAN GLORIFY YOU, GOD
AND LIVE IN THE FULLNESS
OF GRACE.
IT IS FINISHED.

WINGS OF SPIRIT FOUNDATION

Seren I like this prayer I havent seen it before.

The Remind Me Prayer

Dear God, Help us remember that the
jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is likely a
single mother who worked nine hours that day and is
rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do
the laundry and spend a few precious moments with
her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced,
tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make
change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college
student, balancing his apprehension over final exams
with his fear of not getting his student loans for
next Term.

Remind us, God, that the scary looking bum,
begging for money in the same spot every day (who
really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions
that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the couple
walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and
blocking our shopping progress are savouring this
moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she
got back last week, this will be the last year that
they go shopping together.

Higher Power, remind us each day that, of
all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is
love. It is not enough to share that love with those
we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who
are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow
to judge and quick to forgive, show patience,
empathy and love.

God Bless

Lionel