Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step program that uses prayer and daily reflection as tools for maintaining sobriety. While AA is non-denominational, it was founded on spiritual principles, and prayer is woven into the structure of its meetings and steps. The most recognized of these is the Serenity Prayer, but several step-specific prayers also guide members through the recovery process.
The concept of a “higher power” in AA does not require belief in a specific religion or deity. It refers to something a person views as larger than themselves, whether that is God, nature, the group itself, or another source of meaning. This flexibility makes AA accessible to people across a wide range of spiritual backgrounds.
The Serenity Prayer
The Serenity Prayer is recited at the close of most AA meetings. It is the most widely recognized prayer in the program and serves as a daily reminder of the principles that support recovery: acceptance, courage, and wisdom.
The full version of the Serenity Prayer reads:
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
In most meetings, the shorter version is used:
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.
For people in recovery from alcohol or substance use disorder, the desire to control outcomes, emotions, and circumstances is often a central driver of addictive behavior. The Serenity Prayer addresses this directly. It frames acceptance not as defeat, but as a path toward inner peace and freedom from the cycle of substance use.
Who Wrote the Serenity Prayer?
The Serenity Prayer is attributed to American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, who used versions of it in his sermons during the 1930s and 1940s. AA adopted the prayer in 1948, and it has been central to the program ever since.
Although the prayer’s origins are Christian, its message applies broadly across spiritual traditions. The shorter version, in particular, removes denominational language while preserving the core themes of acceptance, agency, and discernment.
Other Prayers Used in AA
Before the publication of the Big Book, early AA meetings were guided by the Bible. One of the program’s earliest names was “The James Club,” a reference to the Book of James. Over time, the program developed its own set of prayers tied to specific steps in the 12-step process.
These step prayers are not required, but many members find them useful as a structured way to engage with the spiritual work of each step.
First Step Prayer
The First Step Prayer accompanies Step One, which asks members to acknowledge powerlessness over addiction and the unmanageability of their lives without help.
Dear Lord,
I admit that I am powerless over my addiction.
I admit that my life is unmanageable when I try to control it.
Help me this day to understand
The true meaning of powerlessness.
Remove from me all denial of my addiction.
Third Step Prayer
Step Three involves making a decision to turn one’s will and life over to the care of a higher power. The Third Step Prayer is a formal expression of that commitment.
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
Step Seven asks members to humbly request the removal of character defects that interfere with their recovery and their ability to help others.
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.
Eleventh Step Prayer
Step Eleven focuses on strengthening one’s conscious contact with a higher power through prayer and meditation. The Eleventh Step Prayer reflects that ongoing practice.
Higher Power, as I understand You,
I pray to keep my connection with You
Open and clear from the confusion of daily life.
Through my prayers and meditation I ask especially for
Freedom from self-will, rationalization, and wishful thinking.
I pray for the guidance of correct thought and positive action.
Your will Higher Power, not mine, be done.
Why the Serenity Prayer Matters in Addiction Recovery
The Serenity Prayer resonates in addiction recovery because it speaks directly to one of the core psychological patterns associated with substance use disorder: the compulsive need for control.
Bill W., co-founder of AA, described this pattern in the Big Book, characterizing the person with alcohol use disorder as someone who wants to manage every outcome and every relationship. The Serenity Prayer offers a counterpoint: a daily, deliberate practice of distinguishing what can be changed from what cannot.
For men in recovery, this distinction is often particularly meaningful. The pressure to maintain control, project strength, and manage outcomes without help can delay the decision to seek treatment. The prayer reframes surrender not as weakness, but as a prerequisite for lasting change.
AA as Part of a Broader Recovery Plan
AA is a valuable support structure for many people in recovery from alcohol use disorder, but it is not a clinical treatment program. It does not provide medical detox, psychiatric evaluation, or evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or medication-assisted treatment.
For men with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder, medically supervised detox is often the necessary first step before any peer support program can be effective. Alcohol withdrawal carries serious medical risks, including seizures and delirium tremens, and should not be managed without clinical oversight. [PUBLISHER TO FILL: cite SAMHSA or NIAAA on alcohol withdrawal risk]
AA and similar 12-step programs work best as a complement to formal addiction treatment, not a replacement for it. If you or someone you care about is ready to take that step, speaking with an admissions counselor can help clarify what level of care is appropriate.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Po-Chang Hsu, M.D., M.S.
Written by
Briana Sefcik
