The Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference Morning Prayer God direct my thinking today so that it be divorced of self pity, dishonesty, self-will, self-seeking and fear. God inspire my thinking, decisions and intuitions. Help me to relax and take it easy. Free me from doubt and indecision. Guide me through this day and show me my next step. God give me what I need to take care of any problems. I ask all these things that I may be of maximum service to you and my fellow man in the name of the Steps I pray. AMEN Night Prayer God forgive me where I have been resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid today. Help me to not keep anything to myself but to discuss it all openly with another person - show me where I owe an apology and help me make it. Help me to be kind and loving to all people. Use me in the mainstream of life God. Remove worry, remorse or morbid (sick) reflections that I may be of usefulness to others. AMEN Just For Today Just for today, I will try to live through this day only and not tackle my whole life problem at once.I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime. Just for today, I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that "most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." Just for today, I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. Just for today, I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it. Just for today, I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don't want to--just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it Just for today, I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself. Just for today, I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision. Just for today, I will have a quiet half hour all by myself,and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life. Just for today, I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me. -Kenneth L. Holmes Just for tonight Just for tonight, I will be grateful. As I prepare for sleep, I will give thanks for the passing day―its failures as well as its successes, its sadness as well as its joys, and its pain as well as its pleasures. I will take comfort in the knowledge that no event occurred, or circumstance arose today, that God could not use for my good and the good of others. Just for tonight, I will accept that I have done the best I could, remembering that my goal is “Progress Not Perfection.” I will let go of any disappointment, shame, or guilt I feel for not having achieved perfection today, or any day in the past. I will offer up my shortcomings to God, in the belief that God can bring about changes in me I could not bring about in myself. Just for tonight, I will try not to solve tomorrow’s problems or rectify today’s mistakes. I will remind myself that I am better able to receive guidance about right actions and right amends when my mind and body are rested and refreshed. Just for tonight, I will set aside my fears, frustrations, and aspirations. I will take a few minutes to review the abundance that exists in my life today and place my future in the care of a loving God, trusting my needs will be met at a time, and in a way, which is best for me. Just for tonight, I will turn my loved ones over to God’s care. I will free myself from trying to do the impossible―changing the actions, attitudes, or future of anyone other than myself. Just for tonight, I will set aside all anger, resentment, envy, and hurt feelings. I will ask God to bless those whose actions I feel troubled by, and to change my attitude toward them, myself, and all other human beings to one of love, acceptance, and compassion. Just for tonight, I will try to find a safe, comfortable place to lie down and close my eyes. I will remind myself I am a precious child of God, and that I am both deserving and in need of rest. By Robin T., Florida Third Step Prayer God, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always! Seventh Step Prayer My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good & bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you & my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do Your bidding. Eleventh Step Prayer (often attributed to St. Francis) Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life. |
Today's Hope is a Recovery themed site with a focus on Friends and Families of Alcoholics and problem drinkers. We are not affiliated with any 12 Step program. The daily sharings contain a reading from
Al-Anon's Conference Approved publication The Forum, an inspirational quote/saying and a recovery based reading/meditation. The intent of Today's Hope is to share experience, strength and hope. Please take what you like and leave the rest. |