The AA Prayer: What Is It and What Role Does It Play In Recovery?

In most cases, the term AA prayer refers to the Serenity Prayer used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. The prayer is recited at the beginning and end of all meetings, and it is part of the core tenets of the 12-step program. There are a few other prayers in AA literature, but they’re not part of the framework for every meeting.

The Primary AA Prayer: The Serenity Prayer

Prayers, reflections, and meditations are common in the AA world as self-reflection and self-evaluation are critical for successful recovery. The Serenity Prayer is often truncated to a shorter version, which states, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And the wisdom to know the difference.”

The theme speaks to a few key ideas that are deeply rooted in AA culture. Acceptance of things you can’t change helps you recognize that you must live with or endure the things in your life that you can’t control.

Courage is necessary because deep, meaningful change is hard and there is much to overcome, from self-pity to self-destructive patterns. Wisdom and cultivating discernment are skills and habits that have to be developed, recognizing when you’re powerless and relying on God or a Higher Power to pull you through.

The complete Serenity Prayer states:[1]

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And the 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 things right

If I surrender to His Will;

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him

Forever and ever in the next.

While the tone is religious or faith-based, its purpose goes deeper, and you don’t have to ascribe to the faith elements of AA to participate. The idea is that you’re willing to surrender yourself to a Higher Power or something greater than yourself to get the most out of some of the steps and prayers.

Someone who is in recovery must relinquish control to experience the life-altering inner peace. The twelve steps help you walk through this systematically, and the Serenity Prayer is like a mantra helping you set your intention every day as you break the cycle of addiction.

The History of The AA Prayer

This is a somewhat contested topic, with credit usually attributed to the Catholic friar, St. Francis of Assisi, who lived in the 12th century. There are other references to a similar prayer on the Tannenberg War Memorial in Olsztynek, Poland, which is credited to 18th-century pietist, Friedrich Otenger.

Aside from these ancient historical references, the version written and made popular in AA curriculum was penned by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). He was an American pastor, reformed theologian, and Union Theological Seminary professor who notably influenced some of our nation’s political and social heroes of his day.

Other AA Prayers

The Big Book is the core curriculum of Alcoholics Anonymous teachings and contains the personal stories and experiences of the earliest AA members. It also contains prayers, mantras, and guidance for anyone in recovery or helping someone through recovery (like a sponsor, mentor, or loved one).

Daily Prayers and Reflections

The AA Daily Reflections are 366 reflections that are excerpts from The Big Book paired with a prayer or reflection, intended to aid in mindfulness and improve self-awareness. You can purchase the printed version of the book or view the reflections each day directly on the AA website.

The Third Step Prayer

In Chapter 5 on page 63, it states “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!”[2]

The Seventh Step Prayer

In Chapter 6 on page 76, it states, “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.”[3]

The Tenth Step Prayer

There are a few versions of the tenth-step prayer, and while popular, none of them are officially sanctioned. We do find in step 10, on page 93, a prayer-like recitation or mantra that is “Not my will, but Thine, be done.” [4]

The Lord’s Prayer

This prayer is recited in some AA meetings, but is not a core ideology and may not suit the needs or worldview of every group. The Lord’s Prayer is found in Matthew chapter 6, verses 9 to 13, and states: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (ESV)

How Do The AA Prayers Help In Recovery?

The AA prayers are intended to enhance self-awareness, promote self-reflection, and cultivate acceptance during recovery. Sobriety is not the only goal of treatment or recovery, but rather personal growth, spiritual growth, healing, and accountability.

As you eliminate self-seeking patterns, you become more productive, more empowered, and better equipped to get and remain sober, and to navigate life with a renewed sense of purpose. It’s about creating a new way of thinking to support a new way of life. Seeking positive perspectives and focusing more on the future than the past.

Mindfulness and Prayer In Recovery

Studies have shown that spiritual and mindfulness practices, like prayer, can help those in recovery foster a sense of purpose and hope.[5] It can increase social connectedness and provide a practical structure. Prayer can also provide deep inner comfort and help reduce stress and anxiety. Each of these benefits has a significant impact on personal well-being and recovery success.

Additionally, mindfulness and meditation are essential metrics for developing recovery capital and maintaining motivation for change. Studies have shown that regular meditation practice was meaningful for cultivating recovery capital and that the amount of time dedicated to the practice was less relevant.[6]

Connect The AA Prayer With Professional and Peer Support

The AA prayer alone isn’t enough to replace addiction treatment or fully address mental health issues. Adding the prayer to your daily life, as an evening or morning prayer, will likely help with mental clarity and peace, but successful recovery requires dedicated support, coping skill-building, and professional drug rehab. Connect with a treatment center near you to address alcohol or substance use disorder and begin building a new and healthy life.