Prayer and A.A.

[24hrsAday]

hi all. i recently attended a meeting (that i don't often attend) the subject of Prayer was brought up and a few people voiced the opinion that you are supposed to pray on your knees i don't believe i have ever read that in the A.A. Big Book? anyone know where some get this idea about praying on their knees?? thanks in advance!

[Db1105]

It's just their opinion. I don't think my Higher Power really gives a crap where or how I pray, just as long as I do it.

[2granddaughters]

I was told by the Priest in the Recovery Home and my first AA sponsor to get down on my knees to pray.

My AA sponsor said it would likely be the only time that day that I would be close to humble......

I'm an alcoholic and I have a VERY hard time doing what I'm told to do.

I had to make the decision to do what the winners were telling me to do... for my own good.

When I stand in front of the Judge I remove my hat or he'll knock it off for me. My choice.

I think my Higher Power appreciates that I get on my knees morning and night.... HE has kept me sober for 23 yrs.

Does your sponsor pray on his/her knees. Might be a good question to ask.

All the best.

Bob R

[pipparina]

I certainly don't think being on one's knees is a requirement for prayer. I talk to God all day long.
However, I will say that when I was newly sober, and trying to connect to my higher power, there was something about doing it on my knees that made it more serious. I was asking God to help me stay sober, and the act of "kneeling' before him gave me great comfort. Don't know why, but it worked for me.
You can always try it a few times, and if it feels wrong, then don't do it. But don't rule it out without trying.

[2granddaughters]

Originally Posted by pipparina

You can always try it a few times, and if it feels wrong, then don't do it.

No disrespect but that is the essence of my disease. I have to "follow the rules" if I want the rewards.

I have to learn to do it whether I like it or not.

I didn't get on my knees for the first couple of months and I was full of fear. I finally "did what I was told" and the fear NEVER returned to the degree that it was.

As it says in "How It Works" half measures availed us nothing. I am still reminded of that simple truth in recovery as I struggle along some days.

The 10 Commandments are not "take it or leave it"
The 7 Deadly sins are not "take it or leave it".
The 12 Steps are not "take it or leave it".

All the best.

Bob R

[awuh1]

The words "on our knees" was removed from step 7 (how it works) between the original manuscript for the big book and its first run off the press in April of 1939 (see “The book that started it all” or this link Original Manuscript, Chapter 5 -"How It Works").

That being said, Dr. Bob typically had new AAs pray on their knees (and this is generally a more accurate description of how it worked from 1936-1939. For a description see ”Dr Bob and the good old timers”).

[KnowHope]

Originally Posted by 24hrsAday

hi all. i recently attended a meeting (that i don't often attend) the subject of Prayer was brought up and a few people voiced the opinion that you are supposed to pray on your knees i don't believe i have ever read that in the A.A. Big Book? anyone know where some get this idea about praying on their knees?? thanks in advance!

In the current form of the Big Book, it doesn't say to get on our knees to pray.

However, the 7th step in the original manuscript of How It Works was:

7. Humbly, on our knees, asked Him to remove our shortcomings - holding nothing back.

[KnowHope]

I believe getting on one's knees was the custom for the 3rd and 7th prayers in the early days of the fellowship. That's what I like to do too.

You are welcome to pray in whatever way works for you. Some religions actually discourage prayer on one's knees, which I think may have been part of why they changed it in the 7th step.

Personally, I pray on my knees, in bed, in the shower, walking down the street, while cooking, driving, swimming, running, biking, in meetings, before doing something, after doing something, you get the point.

Bookends in the morning and at night, then throughout the day in whichever way feels right in my heart.

[pipparina]

I've been sober almost 15 years, following the principles of AA. Forcing someone to do something that may turn them away from AA, in my opinion, is counterproductive.

No offence.

[2granddaughters]

Originally Posted by pipparina

I've been sober almost 15 years, following the principles of AA. Forcing someone to do something that may turn them away from AA, in my opinion, is counterproductive.

No offence.

Not "forcing" anyone to do anything.
Just "reinforcing" the fact that "If you want what we have then you are ready to take certain steps".

No offense taken. Congrats on 15 yrs

All the best.

Bob R

[aasharon90]

Im not an on my knee kinda person, but I do
recall in early recovery hearing about when
awkening in the morning get on ur knees an
ask please to your Higher Power to help you
stay sober through out the day and at night
before retiring, get on your knees and say Thank
You for keeping me sober that day.

Some explained how hard it was to get on their
knees and as a suggestion, place your slippers
way under your bed so you'd have to get on ur
knees to get under the bed to get your slippers.
Then while you are down on the floor retrieving
your slippers you can say those simple please and
thank You prayers to the HP of your understanding.

For me, i dont wear slippers, , so getting on my
knees by the bed is not where I say my prayers. Mine
are anywheres and everywhere I am and in any situation.

Prayer are my own personal and private communication
to to all the Powers greater than I whether they are Saints,
My Lord, Jesus, God, Mary, Guardian Angels and people
that have passed on who have touched me in some way
or another during my 50 yrs. on Earth and even more so
in my 22 yrs in recovery.

[CousinA]

Going on 31 years in November and never got on my knees - and not much into prayer in the conventional sense. There are no rules and I think it's intensely personal. I'm a whatever works kind of guy and have worked with and have friends who run the spectrum. Just my .02.

[ebshot]

My sponsor asked me last week to get on my knees and pray in the morning and before I go to bed. I said, "literally or figuratively??" I assumed she meant figuratively but nope, she said literally. Huh. She has 21 years of sobriety. I have 60 days and most of those days have been miserable. I'll try whatever she says in order to have what she has. It can't hurt.

[RobC420]

Originally Posted by 24hrsAday

hi all. i recently attended a meeting (that i don't often attend) the subject of Prayer was brought up and a few people voiced the opinion that you are supposed to pray on your knees i don't believe i have ever read that in the A.A. Big Book? anyone know where some get this idea about praying on their knees?? thanks in advance!

My best guess is that they got that idea from reading the original manuscript or it's the instructions from their chosen religion. There is nothing in the big book saying you have to pray on your knees. I think you hit the nail on the head that they were just voicing their opinion.

Personally, I pray at night just before I fall asleep. I turn everything off, including the lights. Its dark and I lay in bed on my stomach and prop my head with my arms. Then when my prayer is finished I lay my head on my pillow and fall asleep. That is what has worked and continues to work for me.

[muvinon]

I follow the steps and pray to the God of my understanding. And I hope I can help others have their OWN spiritual awakening.

As to the specifics of their own religious beliefs or rituals, those are absolutely none of my business.

I personally do not share in this manner, because I do think it raises the question in many people's minds as whether this is part of AA or not. Those types of shares often do lead to division rather than unity.

[IndaMiricale]

To me you make it so much deeper than you need to...

Its just a simple form of respect, and almost meditative. Being humble..
I mean really am I to good to just take a minute to pray on my knees for the a daily repreive. I dont think so..

As Bob said. I am also just a alcoholic and in that I want to do it my way.. Well I have learned my way didnt work. So I choose to take something I that I didnt want to do , and do it anyway. Progress for this alcoholic is the key...

[freya]

I seriously doubt that God cares what position I pray in....and, in all honesty it's nobody else's business. However, I do pray on my knees, not because God is some arrogant, uptight, petty being that's going to hold it against me if I don't, but because it is, for me, a powerful and very visceral reminder of the true nature of my relationship with God, and of my appropriate "place" in that relationship.

freya

[Boleo]

Originally Posted by 24hrsAday

...you are supposed to pray on your knees i don't believe i have ever read that in the A.A. Big Book? anyone know where some get this idea about praying on their knees??

"7. Humbly, on our knees, asked Him to remove our shortcomings - holding nothing back."

Original Manuscript, Chapter 5 -"How It Works"

[Boleo]

Originally Posted by pipparina

I've been sober almost 15 years, following the principles of AA. Forcing someone to do something that may turn them away from AA, in my opinion, is counterproductive.

"Giving the newcomer options is not an act of kindness"

- Clarance Snyder; Founder of the Cleveland group. Sponsor to over 5100 members. First AA member to make 40+ years.

[tomsteve]

boy, if i had to get on my knees to pray all the time, there'd be days i would spend on my knees. for me, prayer doesnt matter how i do it. its where it comes from. been workin pretty good for me.