Bart Ross – Recovery Services Manager
When I first began my 12-Step journey, I relied heavily on the 3rd Step Prayer. It was a helpful part of my routine, a moment each morning when I made the decision to turn my will and life (thoughts and actions) over to a higher power. This prayer gave me hope and a sense of direction.
However, over time, I began to realize something important. While the 3rd Step was about making a decision, it didn’t necessarily translate into action.
Recovery isn’t just about what we decide; it’s about what we do.
One day, in meditation as I reflected on my spiritual progress, I recognized that I needed to shift my focus. The 7th Step Prayer became my inspiration and guidance. This prayer emphasizes humility, strength, the desire to grow, and to be more useful, urging me to take actionable steps in my recovery. I understood that if I wanted to truly live out my decision to change, I needed to embody that commitment every day.
So, I made a conscious choice to start each morning with the 7th Step Prayer rather than the 3rd Step Prayer. It became the new prayer in my morning ritual, a way to ground myself in action rather than just intention.
The 7th Step Prayer directs me to a sense of purpose, reminding me to seek opportunities for growth and service throughout the day.
“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.” (Big Book pg. 76)
As I moved through my daily life, I found that this shift made a significant difference. Instead of waiting for change to happen, I began actively engaging with it. Whether it was reaching out to someone for support, reaching out to be of service, or simply facing a difficult situation with courage, I discovered that action was the true essence of my recovery.
Each day became a new opportunity to apply the lessons I learned from living the 12-Steps.
The more I embrace action, the more I feel empowered and connected to my God and the people I meet each day. I realized that recovery isn’t just a decision; it’s a continuous practice of living authentically and courageously in the care of God.
Now, when I look back, I see how far I’ve come. By choosing to focus on action through the 7th Step Prayer, it transformed not just my mornings, but my entire approach to recovery. Each sunrise now symbolizes a fresh start, a chance to take meaningful steps forward in my life. I’m grateful for this shift, as I’m aware of the fact that there is a lot more growth to come.
Remember, it’s not just about what we decide to do; it’s about how we choose to act on those decisions every single day. Embrace the journey, and let your actions speak for your commitment to growth.
“We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.” (Big Book pg. 60)
However, I didn’t completely put the 3rd Step Prayer to rest. Whenever I rework the Steps, especially during a thorough 4th Step inventory, the 3rd Step is a vital reminder of surrender and commitment, grounding me in my purpose.
In those moments of reflection, the 3rd Step Prayer helps me approach my inventory with openness and honesty. I learned that both Steps are interconnected; the decision to surrender and the action to grow go hand in hand. This integration of the 3rd and 7th Steps created a more holistic approach to my recovery, reinforcing that it’s not just about what I decide but also about how I choose to live that decision each day.
By embracing the experiences from each of the 12-Steps, I’m learning how to continue navigating my path with resilience and intention, one day at a time.
“God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’t got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us.” (Big Book pg.164)
Please feel free to reach out to me at bross@hanleyfoundation.org.
Hanley Center has been helping people all over the country achieve wellness for more than 40 years. In addition to providing age- and gender-specific treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders, Hanley offers a Patriots Program for first responders and veterans and a boutique residential mental health program for adults. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1033.
