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.

This month, we turn our attention to another cornerstone of recovery—the Seventh Step Prayer, which emphasizes humility and surrender.

My creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do your bidding.

After identifying our personal imperfections and shortcomings in Steps 4, 5, and 6, Step 7 asks us to humbly seek help from a Higher Power to remove these “defects of character,” recognizing that self-will alone cannot create lasting change. This step is about letting go of pride and self-reliance and opening ourselves to spiritual growth and transformation.

This is not an easy step, because it requires us to honestly recognize our shortcomings—many of which are rooted in our ego. Our ego lives in our heads and can speak VERY loudly, sometimes overshadowing the quiet voice of God that speaks to our hearts. Learning to recognize our shortcomings and consciously reframe our responses—from immediate reactions to thoughtful, spiritually guided responses—is a lifelong journey.

This ongoing work is reflected in Step 10, which calls us to continue taking a personal inventory, promptly admit when we are wrong, and apply the principles of recovery to our everyday lives. In doing so, we become more self-aware, less reactive, and better able to maintain emotional sobriety and continue growing spiritually.

Step 7 reminds us that we don't have to overcome our shortcomings through our own strength. Surrender creates space for God to work within us. When we acknowledge our limitations and invite God to transform the parts of us that stand in the way of His will, we become more capable of living with humility, purpose, and love.

As we lift our daily prayers—for our loved ones, for the men and women at Helping Up Mission, and for all those on our prayer list—may we trust that God, our Higher Power, is in control. May He grant us the humility to recognize our shortcomings, the strength to change, and the wisdom to seek His will for our lives.