Experience, Strength and Hope Today: The Set Aside Prayer

I first heard about this prayer from a fellow in another 12 Step program. He told a story of how my husband, many years ago, shared a prayer with him.  My husband was fresh out of prison and with racially segregated ways, from both of them, this man typically would not have been a friend.  With recovery, our hearts and minds open to new experiences and people and so they became friends.  That was 21 years ago.  The prayer my husband shared is this:

“God, please help me set aside everything I think I know about myself, my addiction, the steps, the fellowship, and especially you; for an open mind and a new experience with myself, my addiction, the steps, the fellowship, and especially You. Amen.”

12 STEP WITHIN: Working our program and assisting others in the age of COVID-19

A message from our Intergroup Chair

Hello Everyone,

Proscribed from gathering for one or more reasons, we battle with loneliness and isolation. Rather than help, social media and the news seem to only add to our distress. Many of us, myself included, would prefer to stay in bed, under the covers, with a pillow protecting our head rather than walk through what this year has to offer.  However, these days require that we get up, suit up, and move through. As 12-Step people, we are called to work with others as a way of helping ourselves.

Keep Coming Back

There are so many great slogans and words of wisdom that I have heard in OA meetings and literature.  But the most meaningful one to me is the simplest: “Keep Coming Back.”  I recall my first meeting, feeling extremely uncomfortable and anxious to leave.  But before I could make my great escape I had to hold hands with complete strangers, pray unfamiliar words and then cheer “Keep coming back! It works if you work it, and you’re worth it!” followed by applause and hugs.  Gross.