Favorite Recovery Prayers and Poems

[SunnyGirl]

~ The Serenity Prayer ~

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 hardship as the
pathway to peace.

Taking this
sinful world as it IS,
not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make
all things right if I
surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy
in this life, and supremely
happy forever in
the next.

By Reinhold Neibuhr

[SunnyGirl]

"The Lord's Prayer"

Our Father, who art in Heaven
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom
And the Power
And the Glory
Forever.

~Amen~

[SunnyGirl]

"Prayer of St. Francis"



Lord, make me a channel of thy peace -
that where there is hatred, I may bring love -
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness -
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony -
that where there is error, I may bring truth -
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith -
that where there is despair, I may bring hope -
that where there are shadows, I may bring light -
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.

Lord, grant that I may seek
rather to comfort than to be comforted -
to understand, than to be understood -
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.

~Amen~

[SunnyGirl]

Broken Dreams

As children bring their broken toys
with tears for us to mend.
I brought my broken dreams to GOD
Because He was my Friend.

But then instead of leaving Him
in Peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.

At last I snatched them back and cried
"How can You be so slow"?
"My child," He said,
"What could I do?
You never did let go."

Author: Lauretta P. Burns


Let Go ~ Let God!

The greater the adversity, the brighter the light of opportunity!

[SunnyGirl]

~ Let Go, Let God ~

To Let Go doesn't mean to stop caring;
it means I can't do it for someone else.

To Let Go is not to cut myself off;
it's the realization that I can't control another.

To Let Go is not to enable,
but to allow learning from natural consequences.

To Let Go is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To Let Go is not to try to change or blame another;
it's to make the most of myself.

To Let Go is not to care for,
but to care about.

To Let Go is not to fix,
but to be supportive.

To Let Go is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.

To Let Go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own destinies.

To Let Go is not to be protective;
it is to permit another to face reality.

To Let Go is not to deny,
but to accept.

To Let Go is not to nag, scold, or argue,
but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To Let Go is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes, and to cherish myself in it.

To Let Go is not to regret the past,
but to grow and live for the future.

To Let Go is to fear less and to love more.

~ Author Unknown ~

[SunnyGirl]

Just For Today

Just for today
I will try to live through this day only,
and not tackle all my problems 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 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 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 exercise my soul in three ways:
I will do somebody a good turn, and not get
found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not
count. I will do a least two things I don't want
to do--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, keep my voice low, be
courteous, criticize not one bit. I won't find fault
with anything, nor try to improve or regulate
anybody but 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.

--- Author Unknown

[SunnyGirl]

"The Awakening"

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when,
in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead
in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head
cries out...ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying and blaming
and struggling to hold on. Then, like a child quieting down
after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look
at the world through new eyes.
This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something
to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically
appear over the next horizon.

You realize that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale
endings, and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must
begin with you... and in the process a sense of serenity is born
of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not
everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or
what you are... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own
views and opinions.

You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself...
and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of
self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things
they did to you - or didn't do for you - and you learn that the
only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn that people don't always say what they mean or
mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there
for you and that everything isn't always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself...
and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of
self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept
people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and
human frailties... and in the process a sense of peace and
contentment is born of forgiveness.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view.
You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what
you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and
you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown,
or should never have bought into to begin with.

You learn that there is power and glory in creating and
contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely
as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not
the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds
together the foundation upon which you must build a life."

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to
save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You
learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry
and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships
as they really are and not as you would have them be. You
learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.
You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and
the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.
You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside,
smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to
care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a
balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to
exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty
and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels
the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to
laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you
believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is a
self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for
and that wishing for something to happen is different than
working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success
you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn
that no one can do it all alone, and that it's OK to risk asking
for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You
learn to step right into and through your fears because you
know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in
to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.
You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under
a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what
you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen
to unsuspecting, good people... and you learn not to always
take it personally.

You learn that nobody's punishing you and everything isn't
always somebody's fault. It's just life happening. You learn to
admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and
resentment must be understood and redirected or they will
suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that
surrounds you.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the
simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people
upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator,
clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself
and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself
and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.
You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to
stay open to every wonderful possibility. You hang a wind
chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.

Finally, with courage in your heart, you take a stand,
you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life
you want to live as best you can.

- Author Unknown

[SunnyGirl]

Reason ~ Season ~ Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a
lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know
exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually
to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or
inwardly. They have come to assist you through a
difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to
aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may
seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for
the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up or out and force you
to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been
met,our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer
you sent up has been answered and it is now time to
move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is
because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They may bring you an experience of peace or make
you laugh. They may teach you something you have
never done. They usually give you an unbelievable
amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a
season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;those
things you must build upon in order to have a solid
emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson,
love the person/people (anyway), and put what you
have learned to use in all other relationships and areas
of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

~Unknown~

[lildee]

My Daily Prayer

God, I turn my will and my life over to You this day
for Your keeping. Your will, Lord, not mine. I ask for Your guidance
and direction. I will walk humbly with You and Your fellow men.
You are giving me a grateful heart for my many blessings. You are
removing the defects of character that stand in my way. You are
giving me freedom from self-will.

Let love, compassion, and understanding be in every thought,
word, and deed this day. I truly desire Your abundance of truth,
love, harmony and peace. As I go out today to do Your bidding,
let me help anyone I can who is less fortunate than I.

Amen

[lildee]

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking
along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes
from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints
in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked
back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times
along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and
saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about
it. "Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You'd
walk with me all the way. But i have noticed that during the
most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of
footprints. I don't understand why when I needed You most
You would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you
and would never leave you. During your times of trial and
suffering, when you only see one set of footprints, it was
then that I carried you."

[lildee]

23rd Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green
pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.

Amen

.

[lildee]

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and lonliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Strive to be happy.

[lildee]

Sanskirt Proverb

Look to this day,
For it is life,
The very life of life.
In its brief course lies all
The realities and verities of exsistence,
The bliss of growth,
The glory of power.
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, Therefore, to this day.

[/b]

[lildee]

Lord, I'm Hurting

Yes, Lord I hurt.
The pain is deep,
And I feel the mountains
are so steep.
I cannot seem to stand.
Please dear Lord,
Take my hand.
I cannot seem
to find my way.
For me the sun
Is not shining today.
I know You're there;
I've felt Your presence near
But now, my Lord,
My heart is gripped with fear.
Lord, help the sun to shine
And to know
That You are mine.
Heal this pain I feel;
Make Your presence
Very real.
Today, Lord, I give You all.
Help me, dear Lord,
Not to fall.
Hold me tight,
So I can feel
Your strength and might.

[lildee]

THE SERENITY PRAYER
(another version)


GOD SAYING THIS WORD I AM ADMITTING THE EXISTENCE OF A
CONSCIOUSNESS OR? OF? A HIGHER POWER THAT IS
GREATER THAN I.

GRANT SAYING THIS SECOND WORD, I AM ADMITTING THAT THIS
CONSCIOUSNESS OR HIGHER POWER IS ABLE TO BESTOW AND
GIVE TO ME AND TO OTHERS.

ME THE I AM ASKING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF. HOLY BOOKS SAY THAT
IF I ASK SINCERELY, IT SHALL BE GIVEN. IT IS NOT WRONG TO ASK
FOR IMPROVING MYSELF. FOR WITH THE IMPROVEMENT OF MY
CHARACTER, BOTH I AND PEOPLE AROUND ME WILL BE HAPPIER,
AND MY RELATIONSHIPS WILL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO IMPROVE.

SERENITY I AM ASKING FOR CALMNESS, COMPOSURE AND INNER PEACE IN MY
LIFE WHICH WILL ENABLE ME TO TRANSCEND MY EGO, TO THINK
STRAIGHT AND TO GOVERN MYSELF PROPERLY.

TO ACCEPT I AM RESIGNING MYSELF TO CONDITIONS AS THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.
I AM LIVING IN THE NOW, THE PRESENT MOMENT.

THE THINGS I ACKNOWLEDGE MY TRAGEDY, DEATH, SUFFERING, ILLNESS AND PAIN,
AS A PART OF MY LIFE, NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD. I ACCEPT MY
HUMANNESS AND FALLIBILITY. I AM ACCEPTING MY LOT IN LIFE AS IT IS.
UNTIL I HAVE THE COURAGE TO CHANGE ANY PART OF MY LIFE I DON'T
LIKE, I MUST ACCEPT IT, WITHOUT DOING SO GRUDGINGLY.

I CANNOT I CAN'T PREVENT THESE EVENTS OR CONDITIONS FROM HAPPENING TO
CHANGE... ME OR TO OTHERS.

COURAGE A QUALITY WHICH ENABLES ME TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS AND
REALITIES OF LIFE WITHOUT RELIANCE ON ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. A
DETERMINATION TO STAND MY GROUND AND "SLUG IT OUT" WITH
ALL ISSUES, PLEASANT OR OTHERWISE, THAT MIGHT RETURN ME TO
DRINKING OR USING. A STRENGTH OF MY SPIRIT TO FACE AND HANDLE
THE NEGATIVE. FEARLESSNESS IN THE PRACTICE OF FAITH, HUMILITY
AND HONESTY.

TO CHANGE IN FACING THESE NEGATIVES DIRECTLY AND HONESTLY, I AM ASKING
FOR MYSELF AND MY LIFE CONDITIONS TO BE DIFFERENT FOR ME.
I AM TAKING AN ACTIVE PART IN THIS CHANGING.

THE THINGS I AM ASKING FOR HELP TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.
I CAN EVERYTHING IS NOT THE WAY I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE IN MY LIFE.
I MUST CONTINUE TO FACE REALITY AND CONSTANTLY WORK TOWARD
MY CONTINUED GROWTH AND PROGRESS.


AND WISDOM I AM ASKING FOR THE ABILITY TO RISE ABOVE MY EGO AND FORM SOUND
JUDGMENTS ABOUT MYSELF AND MY LIFE. I THEN USE MY ABILITY TO ASK
FOR GUIDANCE FROM MYSELF, OTHERS AND A HIGHER POWER.

TO KNOW THE I WANT TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND CLEARLY TRUTHS OF FACT. I WANT
DIFFERENCE... TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY IN MY LIFE SO THAT I WILL BE MORE AWARE
OF MYSELF AND OF OTHERS. I NEED TO SENSE A DEFINITE VALUE IN LOVING
OVER BEING SELFISH.

From: "Alcoholism & Spirituality"
by Charles Whitfield

[Caressa2]

Oh Great Spirit

Whose breathe gives life to all the world...
Hear me, I am small and weak...
I need your strength and wisdom...
Teach me the lessons you have hidden under leave and rock...
Give me the strength--not to be greater than my brother...
But to fight my greatest enemy--myself.
Let me walk in beauty and ever behold the red and purple sunset...
And when the sunset fades
May I come to You with clean hands, straight eyes and no shame.

Origin Unknown

[lildee]

LEAD ME AND GUIDE ME

A lmighty God, I humbly pray,
L ead me and guide me through this day.
C ast out my selfish sin,
O pen my heart to let You in.
H elp me now as I blindly stray
O ver the pitfalls along the way.
L et me have courage to face each task,
I nvest me with patience and love, I ask.
C are for me through each hour today,
S trengthen and guard me now, I pray.

A s I forgive, forgive me too,
N eeding Your mercy as I do.
O h, give me Your loving care,
N ever abandon me to despair.
Y esterday's wrongs I would seek to right,
M ake me more perfect in Your sight.
O h, teach me to live as best I can,
U se me to help my fellow man.
S ave me from acts of bitter shame.

I humbly ask it in Your name.

[lildee]

THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER

Eternal Reality,
You are Everywhere.
You are Infinite Unity, Truth, and Love;
You permeate our souls,
Every corner of the Universe, and beyond.

To some of us You are Father, Friend, or Partner,
To others, Higher Power, Higher Self, or Inner Self.
To many of us You are all of these and more.
You are within us and we within You.

We know You forgive our trespasses
If we forgive ourselves and others.
We know You protect us from destructive temptation
If we continue to seek Your help and guidance.
We know You provide us food and shelter today
If we but place our trust in You and try to do our best.
Give us this day knowledge of Your will for us and the power to carry it out.
For Yours is Infinite Power and Love, Forever.

[lildee]

Prayer for Guidance

Lord, put courage into my heart,
and take away all that may hinder me serving you.

Free my tongue to proclaim your goodness,
that all may understand me.

Give me friends to advise and help me,
that by working together our efforts may
bear abundant fruit.

And, above all, let me constantly remember that
my actions are nothing unless they are guided
by your hand.

-- Prophet Mohammed

[lildee]

Cosmic Plan

Oh Mighty Father,
That which shineth behind all things,
We small beings upon this Earth
Will be forever indebted to the Great Ones
Who took compassion upon our plight
And evolved a Plan
To bring about Spiritual salvation and enlightenment
In our darkest hour,
Wonderful beings have come among us
To help us, guide us, teach us and fight for us.
So that we may have the opportunity
To learn and rise upon the ladder of evolution.
We are deeply grateful
For this awareness that has dawned upon us
Like a shining Sun
So that we too can become
A part of this plan and help our suffering world.
Let us always allow ourselves
To be guided by our Divine Aspect
So that the seeds of unselfish love
May blossom into the flowers of wisdom
And everlasting Truth.
May Thy Divine Will, at all times, be done.

--Alyson Lawrence