As you start going to 12-Step meetings to try to stop drinking and using, one of the things you hear people talking about is praying. You may really want to get up and walk of the meeting although you really need proof that you were in a meeting with your signature card that you can only get back at the end of the meeting. So you decide to stay and continue to listen to how members of the program talk about praying for others. Your mind is blown. Why in the world would you pray for those who wronged you?

The real answer to this question is that a 12-Step program can give you the tools to soothe your soul and praying just so happens to be one of those tools. Drugs and alcohol helped you cope by filling the void in your life. That empty space in your gut that never seems to go away is your spirituality not getting fed. Through connecting with your Higher Power, you are able to feed your soul and begin to feel much better by taking some time to pray.

Being in a 12-Step program means when you do start praying, you can pick whatever you want to pray to because you only need to find your own conception of a Higher Power that does not have to include any aspects of religion unless that is your choice. You could merely view prayer as a way of sending good vibes out into the universe like a Karmic boomerang to receive your blessings back.

There is no need to overthink the act of praying. Instead of praying selfishly for what you think you need, you would simply pray for others to have what you wish for yourself. You can make up your own prayers or you can memorize a few prayers that are offered in the program’s literature including one of the most well-known prayers, The Serenity Prayer.

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

Other prayers to look at are the 3rd Step Prayer, 7th Step Prayer, The Saint. Francis Prayer, and the Set Aside Prayer.

Adding a little intentional prayer time into your daily routine not only gives you the ability to connect to a Higher Power, but you will no doubt connect to others around you. The best thing you can do for your spirituality is to give prayer a shot before you completely condemn it because praying works – it really does.

The Kimberly Center can help someone who struggles with drugs and alcohol a chance to begin a new life in recovery. Our fundamental goal is to restore an individual with a healthier, happier, and more productive life through recovery measures.

Call us today to begin: 855-4-KCENTER (855-452-3683)