From the BB:
Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn't be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. It would be easy to be vague about this matter. Yet, we believe we can make some definite and valuable suggestions.
When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once? Were we kind and loving toward all? What could we have done better? Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others, of what we could pack into the stream of life? But we must be careful not to drift into worry, remorse or morbid reflection, for that would diminish our usefulness to others. After making our review we ask God's forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.
On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions we can employ our mental faculties with assurance, for after all God gave us brains to use. Our thought- life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives.
In thinking about our day we may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here we ask God for inspiration, an intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while. What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.
We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn't work. You can easily see why.
If circumstances warrant, we ask our wives or friends to join us in morning meditation. If we belong to a religious denomination which requires a definite morning devotion, we attend to that also. If not members of religious bodies, we sometimes select and memorize a few set prayers which emphasize the principles we have been discussing. There are many helpful books also. Suggestions about these may be obtained from one's priest, minister, or rabbi. Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer.
As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day "Thy will be done." We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.
It works - it really does.
Thanks for the post...Wow...I pray when I get up in the morning & then when I'm driving into work....I prayed for openness & willingness this morning so I could see what I needed to see and hear what I need to hear.........
God uses me and others to speak for him and I am grateful today that I could hear things I need to hear....
Practice, practice, practice....
I hope you have a great day, Miss Katbird....
xoxo
God uses me and others to speak for him and I am grateful today that I could hear things I need to hear....
| QUOTE |
| As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. |
I hope you have a great day, Miss Katbird....
xoxo
When I was very new to recovery, like less than a month I used to go to a couple of other recovery boards for support. I remember I was chatting with a lady that had double digits and asked her how on earth did she remember to pray every day. It was just beyond me. I couldn't remember a simple prayer in the morning let alone during the day and at night. It's funny how all that changed with practice. I got in the habit of thanking God during the day for little things like birds singing and flowers and now it is just second nature to me. I thank Him for gifts and non gifts all thru the day. Just like the saying "God gave me AA and AA gave me God." There is so much to talk to God about if we think about it.
For me, I use to pray only when I was in trouble or needy and even then my prayers didn't make sense....When I was finally sick & tired and was at my ropes end and was willing to do anything, go to any lengths to be clean & sober, I remember my first prayer that I said that came straight from my heart..."God, I cannot do this alone, I need help, please help me" and he answered and he continues to answer my prayers....what I have found is he answers all of my prayers but I have to be open & willing to see the answers and a lot of times, it might not be what I might have expected, planned or hoped but I have faith and have learned that as long as I am doing the right thing in front of me, he will take care of the rest....
Not only did I find God in AA, I learned how to pray and I have found faith.....
Not only did I find God in AA, I learned how to pray and I have found faith.....
Like and Old friend once told me.......Put your shoes or your glasses or something you will need the next day, under your bed the night before and that will get you on your knee's first thing in the morning. While on your knee's it's easier to start your day out with a prayer.
I love that advice.
Sharon
I love that advice.
Sharon
