I use prayer as my way of setting a clear intention with my higher power. I never felt comfortable “worshipping” a long-bearded man sitting on a cloud and calling that my god, so I formulated a spiritual concept that I truly believe in instead.

Prayer is like an affirmation, a way of affirming what kind of spiritual course I want to live by. Aligning my thoughts  with the energy of what I do believe in helps shift my energy, and I find I can meet calamity with serenity more easily. The tiny annoyances stop picking at me. I don’t react; I can pause. It doesn’t change my circumstances, but it can help me be open to changing the way I think about them and how I feel about them. That’s what prayer does. It lets my higher wisdom guide me.

When I first got sober, I quickly and judgmentally noticed that commonly used recovery prayers were Christian and I shuttered. I didn’t want to revisit the doctrines of a religion I didn’t believe in, specifically because my religious school and church interpreted the concepts of Christianity in a way that upset me as a child. Eventually, I found a spirituality I believe in, and can now clearly see the spiritual messages in these religious prayers.

I’ve found countless sponsees and friends felt the same way, and that the language of these suggested prayers barred them from connecting with their higher power. If 12-Step recovery asks me to formulate my own concept of spirituality, why not prayer, too? 

So here are two common prayers I translated into spiritual terms to help anyone who gets stuck on the Christian-based language of the originals. They’re written with messages from Taoism and A Course in Miracles, both of which resonated with me in early sobriety. (Lines of the original prayers included in parentheses).

If you would like any other prayers translated to spiritual terms, e-mail me (charlotte@charlottegreywritings.com)! Whatever you’re struggling with is probably what someone else is struggling with, too.

OUR FATHER

Higher wisdom that exists everywhere and works through everything, (Our Father who art in heaven,)

I acknowledge that you are a power greater than me. (Hallow be Thy name.)

Grant me the willingness to connect with you, (Thy Kingdom come,)

And let the greater purpose of my life, not my willpower, be carried out, (Thy Will be done,)

Through nature and my ancestors, in connecting with others, and through our source of life. (On earth as it is in heaven.)

Help me to stay in the present moment, (Give us this day our daily bread,)

And help me to forgive myself for any harm I’ve done to others, (And forgive us our trespasses)

As I become willing to forgive those whom I am hurt by. (As we forgive those who trespass against us.)

Help me to stop listening to my disease, to not act in my characters defects, and to not seek escape as a solution, no matter how familiar it is for me, so that I may be a channel of my higher wisdom’s message in service to others, (And lead us not into temptation,)

And grant me the willingness to connect to you for all things big and small, and to let go of my pride so I may live in peace and contentment. (But deliver us from evil.)

I know that this universal calm and love has always existed deep down within me, that I am powerless against my addictions, ego, and my defects without actively seeking a higher connection. I know that consciously living in this solution offers me a timeless and limitless serenity. For living happily, joyously, and freely are the Promises of this solution and are not barred from those who seek it. (For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, forever and ever.)

THIRD STEP PRAYER

Higher wisdom, I turn my pride, self-will, and the circumstances in life over to your care, (God, I offer myself to thee)

because no matter how joyous, painful, or infuriating, I trust that this path is leading me to something better and is nurturing my growth. Please plant me where you want me to grow. (to build with me and do with me as that wilt.)

Help me to not act from my character defects, from my maladjusted coping mechanisms that hinder my growth, in all situations big or small, (relieve me of the bondage of self,)

so my mind can be quiet enough to hear inner guidance and take action that aligns with my values and the greater love of all things, instead of harming others. (that I may better do thy will.)

Please help me heal those deepest wounds, many of which I have been unknowingly carrying since childhood, (Take away my difficulties)

so that my healing can be a beacon of hope for others who are suffering, and for those who have been deliberately placed in my path for me to help, (that victory over them may bear witness to those whom I would help)

that it shows them that recovery from anything and everything is possible with an active practice of humility and connection. (of thy power, thy love, and thy way of life.)

Help me be willing to allow all my thoughts and attitudes be transformed. Help me to see a way forward and that inner peace is possible in all my circumstances. (May I do that I will always.)

Disclaimer Charlotte Grey does not claim any professional training in social work or psychiatry. The suggestions listed on this page and on this website are meant to inspire supplemental treatment options for self-help. It is recommended that professional treatment be combined with any solutions discussed herein for suspected or known psychological or psychiatric malady, and that the content of this website not be used as substitute for professional treatment.

writing © Charlotte Grey Writings

*For writing requests, please contact Charlotte via e-mail.