Discussion and Sharing Welcomed!

[CarolD]

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscience contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

[CarolD]

My favorite step. My glory step!

My God and I are best friends.
We walk and talk together as good friends do.

He takes my hand..gives blessings and comfort.
I honor Him.

I find sayubg the 23rd Psalm gives ne a clear
connection when I falter.

Thanks for letting me share.

[501]

Hi Carol,

Thanks for inviting me here. This is a part of my program I need to work on. If I would take time to pray and meditate each morning, I know I would be more likely to live my life that day to the fullest. Yet, I find myself running from one project to another without a clear plan for the day and waste valuble time. But if I take that time, rest in the knowledge that God has a plan for me, review the steps and remind myself to adhere to them just for today, I will be blessed. How will that bless me? It blesses me by allowing me to make the right descions and treat people fairly thus casing less friction and conflict that if it runs rampant, would cause me to stumble. I hope this makes sense.

[GlassPrisoner]

I pray and meditate in the morning and at night. Also, throughout the day whenever it's "needed".

My morning prayer is a please God. Knowledge of his will, power to carry it out and sobriety. I also pray for my families basic needs to be met.

My evening prayer is a Thank You God. A prayer of thanks and gratitude for all my blessings and all the opportunities I had to be of service during the day.

I'll say the Serenity Prayer when I get squirrelly.

I find my connection with God to be interment. Sometimes, it's obvious and wide open, like a good internet connection. Other times, it's dim or hardly there. I guess that's why the step says "Sought to improve....."

Lastly, I've been practicing breathing meditation. I find it really helps. Simply sitting somewhere quiet, concentrating on my breathing or a mantra, I find that 15 minutes will go by when my brain thinks it's been a minute or two.

[lanie67]

I don't have a formal prayer and meditation program. I do pray a lot throughout the day. I pray every night, just about, in bed. It looks like the 10th, 11th, and 12th steps are really lacking in my life right now. I feel guilty about that sitting here, feeling like, well *knowing*, having learned through bitter experience lately, just what I have been given in this life, what I was given in my early twenties that I see so many friends my age now trying to get, on their own, and failing over and over, and I just think that I am not grateful, and that I am treating this precious gift, of knowing what it is that can keep one sober one day at a time, and treating it like it doesn't have any value. At least I know what is wrong, and that is a start.

[bballdad]

my favorite step also Carol

I have found from my experience;

prayer can be spoken,written out,or silent
the meditation usually is the hardest.I try and sit still and to quiten my mind and insides and try and listen for that small still voice inside.
The more I try the better it gets

[savoy]

Originally Posted by bballdad

my favorite step also Carol

I have found from my experience;

prayer can be spoken,written out,or silent
the meditation usually is the hardest.I try and sit still and to quiten my mind and insides and try and listen for that small still voice inside.
The more I try the better it gets

When asked what that voice sounds like, sing this.

"Do you hear what I hear, do you hear what I hear"

[CarolD]

Yes! Another awesome step for emotional peace.

God and I are best friends and I would not be
joy filled without His grace.

Thanks for letting me share

[AW2486]

A few months ago I made this for a sponsee who was seeking structure on the 11th step. Everything is taken from the Big Book. Disclaimer .. just want to make clear this is not the only way to work Step 11. Just an idea for a sponsee.

Step 11 in the Morning
On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead
We ask to God to direct our thinking
1. To be divorced from self pity, dishonest or self seeking motives
2. For inspiration, an intuitive thought or decision.
3. For freedom from self will
We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends

Read two pages from the Big Book & Daily Reflections for the Day

3rd Step Prayer
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!

Step 11 in the Evening
When we retire at night we constructively review our day
We ask ourselves
1. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid?
2. Do we owe an apology?
3. Have we kept something to ourselves, which should be discussed with another person at once?
4. Were we kind and loving toward all?
5. What could we have done better?
6. Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time?
7. Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life?
After making our review we ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.

7th Step Prayer
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.
Please Remember Progress not Perfection

All quotes taken from Alcoholics Anonymous 1st Edition.

[bballdad]

great stuff Andy,and it really works