AA Prayer: Serenity Prayer and Step Prayers in Addiction Recovery

What is the AA Serenity Prayer?

The Serenity Prayer generally refers to the short prayer found in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other places where alcoholics or addicts gather for support in their recovery process. The prayer serves as a reflection and encourages the addict to take responsibility for their actions, make thoughtful choices, and accept what he or she cannot change about their past. It is often attributed to St Francis of Assisi but was actually written by Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

Text of the AA Serenity Prayer

The Serenity Prayer is usually recited in Alcoholics Anonymous as follows:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.”

Some recovery establishments provide a longer version of the AA Serenity Prayer, which includes additional themes such as patience, trust, and growth. However, both versions have their core base in the AA Serenity Prayer principles.

Origins and History of the AA Serenity Prayer

The Serenity Prayer was originally written in the early 1930s by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. The prayer, after being discovered by an AA member in a newspaper obituary, was later shared with the group. Over the years, the Serenity Prayer has become ingrained into AA culture and traditions surrounding recovery.

Spiritual and Secular Versions of the AA Serenity Prayer

Even though the Serenity Prayer is associated with God, members of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that everyone has their own interpretation of what a Higher Power is to them. This means that a Higher Power could be defined as:

• Spiritual support or collective consciousness.
• Nature or personal values.
• Another form of spiritual or physical energy.

Because of the AA Serenity Prayer’s flexibility in its interpretation, it is open to individuals with a variety of beliefs, including those who identify as spiritual but not religious.

Ways to Integrate the Serenity Prayer into Your Daily Recovery

In AA Meetings

The Serenity Prayer is usually recited at the beginning or end of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Reciting the Serenity Prayer together creates a collective intention and support for participants, fostering connection and emotional grounding.

Daily Application of the Serenity Prayer

While going through human emotion and decision-making stresses in daily life, many individuals use the Serenity Prayer as a daily recovery prayer. The Serenity Prayer may be repeated many times in one day if necessary. This allows for:

• Emotional regulation of family, friends, jobs, or other obligations during times of stress or cravings.
• A slowing down of “split” or “regressive” thinking.
• Encouraging individuals to engage in reflective or thoughtful thinking regarding their choices.

Integration with 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous

In addition to being united with other emotion-regulating tools such as journaling, mindfulness, and sponsorship, the use of the Serenity Prayer is frequently incorporated with other 12-step program resources. Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally focusing on the present moment with non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings. These combined practices support individuals in becoming emotionally regulated and self-aware.

Adapting the Serenity Prayer to Individuals

When individuals utilize the AA Serenity Prayer, many choose to adapt the word “God” to reflect their beliefs regarding their own Higher Power. By incorporating their personal beliefs, individuals often feel more comfortable with and connected to the prayer while still maintaining its core principle.

Benefits of the AA Prayer in Recovery

Encouraging Acceptance

Acceptance is an underlying principle of addiction recovery. The AA Serenity Prayer reinforces acceptance of that which cannot be changed, which allows addicts to experience reduced levels of emotional distress and fewer triggers for relapse. Learning how to accept the limitations in life can help individuals develop healthier coping skills to begin their recovery from alcohol or drug use.

Cultivating Courage in Recovery

The AA Serenity Prayer teaches individuals to have courage in order to take action in the recovery process by seeking help or participating fully in recovery meetings and resources. Courage is a critical element in pursuing the goals of recovery, even when discomfort may arise.

Promoting the Ability to Discriminate and Reflect in Recovery

While the prayer does not refer directly to cognitive skills of reflection and processing, these skills—related to knowledge and understanding—are strengthened through the 12 steps and therapy. With continued focus and reflection on the AA 12 Step program, addicts will have a greater ability to distinguish their positive behaviors that support sobriety versus the negative behaviors that increase risk.

Belonging, Isolation, and Supporting One Another

Reciting the same prayer fosters belonging, decreases isolation, and increases peer support while at a residential treatment center and in early recovery.

What Are AA Program (Step) Prayers?

What Are They?

AA program prayers (i.e., “Step Prayers”) are specific prayers or meditations that go along with the various steps of the AA program. They are intended to offer spiritual support, comfort, and guidance through the different stages of recovery.

Examples of Step Prayers

While step prayers can vary in their wording, there are several common reflections that many people relate to at different stages of recovery:

• First Step Prayer: Emphasizes admitting powerlessness to addictions and accepting help.
• Third Step Prayer: Emphasizes that the individual must turn over their will and actions to their Higher Power as they understand them.
• Fifth Step Prayer: Focuses on admitting the exact nature of your wrongs to God (or a Higher Power), yourself, and another human being.
• Seventh Step Prayer: Directed at asking for help for defects of character and unhealthy habits or patterns.
• Eleventh Step Prayer: A request for finding clarity and guidance toward recovery through prayer and meditation.

These prayers may be used in discussions with a sponsor and/or in private reflection.

How Do Step Prayers Support Recovery?

The Step prayers reinforce recovery commitments and encourage thoughtful actions. Prayers or meditations for emotional sobriety support individuals to feel their feelings without becoming too overwhelmed or too reactive. Over time, this strengthens executive functioning skills—the ability to manage oneself, plan ahead, and reach goals.

Differences Between AA and Step Prayers

The AA Serenity Prayer is similar to the prayers of the AA Step process, but each has a unique purpose.

• The AA Serenity Prayer: A reflection that can apply at any time to finding acceptance, strength, and wisdom for the day.
• Step Prayers: Offer more targeted reflection or advice as it relates to the specific step to be worked on (e.g., Step 3—Learning to Turn Your Will/Actions Over to God).

Together, these prayers support both daily coping and long-term recovery development.

Incorporating AA Prayer Into Treatment

Role in Clinical and Holistic Recovery

At Alpas Wellness, spiritual reflection can be integrated with evidence-based care. Evidence-based means the practical application of findings from the best available current research. Practices such as the Serenity Prayer may complement therapies like:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A form of talk therapy focusing on identifying and changing unhelpful behaviors.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Helps people manage intense emotions and behaviors.

Twelve-step facilitation can also include relapse prevention planning, as well as mental health treatment for dual diagnoses (such as PTSD) and can assist with grounding techniques or journaling.

Practical Use for Clients in Residential Treatment

Using a Serenity Prayer may support clients by developing skills during morning routines and preparation for coping planning. This is especially useful when there is emotional distress or a full-blown craving; grounding techniques, journaling, or meditation can assist the client’s recovery transition.

After Completing a Residential Treatment Program

Using AA Prayers can provide ongoing structure and a supportive system through participation in aftercare, AA alumni programs, and continued participation in AA groups.

Frequently Asked Questions