In May, we began a journey exploring the prayers associated with the AA/NA recovery program, starting with the Serenity Prayer. During May and June, we reflected on both stanzas of this powerful prayer and how they guide us toward acceptance, courage, wisdom, and trust in God. (Click HERE to read those previous newsletters.)

This month, we turn our attention to another cornerstone of recovery—the Third Step Prayer. This prayer expresses the critical act of spiritual surrender: turning our will and our lives over to our Higher Power for guidance, freedom, and recovery.

Beyond addiction recovery, the Third Step Prayer speaks to a universal truth: real transformation begins when we relinquish self-reliance and place our trust in God's wisdom. It is a prayer of humility, faith, and surrender that invites each of us to align our lives with a purpose far greater than ourselves.

"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."

This prayer is a formal expression of the decision to surrender, trust, and let go of self-will—which, for most people in recovery, is what led them into addiction in the first place. We depended on ourselves, believing we could manage our lives through our own strength and determination. As the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous reminds us, our "self-will has run-riot." We come to recognize that we are no longer in control, our addiction has become the driving force in our lives.

The Third Step Prayer asks God to free us from the "bondage of self" so that we may better do His will. This is surrendering – releasing our need for control, pride, and self-direction—our ego—realizing that our own will cannot overcome the challenges of addiction. We make the life-changing decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him.

As our self-centeredness begins to fade, we become more attentive to God's guidance rather than our ego-driven desires. Instead of asking, "What do I want?" we begin asking, "What is God's will for me today?"

The Third Step Prayer marks a profound turning point in recovery. It moves us from simply thinking about change to actively committing our lives to God, laying the spiritual foundation for the remaining steps of recovery.