Spiritual practices such as prayer may be an aid in establishing a foundation for recovery from alcohol use. In Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), prayer is not used to achieve spiritual perfection. Instead, it is a means to develop humility, accept what cannot be changed, and grow on a personal level.
There are two common examples of this type of prayer: the AA Serenity Prayer, which is the most commonly referenced; and AA Step Prayers (one for each of the twelve steps), which some people use as a way of moving through their respective programs. As with all aspects of life, how someone views or participates in prayer will vary based upon the individual’s own beliefs and spiritual traditions.
What Does the AA Prayer Really Mean?
People looking for an AA Prayer typically want to find the Serenity Prayer. This is the prayer that most people see at the beginning or end of their local AA meeting. Members have a chance to collectively think about what they will be discussing or reflecting upon. Although the Serenity Prayer was created prior to the existence of Alcoholics Anonymous, many believe that its author was theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. Over time, the Serenity Prayer became closely tied to the goals of AA, due to its themes of accepting what you cannot change, having the courage to do what you can change, and discerning which ones those are. These concepts all directly relate to the goals of the Twelve Step Program.
The Serenity Prayer
Most commonly found in AA meetings is a very simple version:
“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.”
Many AA meetings conclude the prayer with “Amen,” although this is a matter of group custom rather than an AA requirement.
What Does the Serenity Prayer Mean?
The Serenity Prayer is more than a few comforting words. For many people in recovery, it serves as a daily reminder of how to navigate life’s challenges with greater peace, healthier thinking, and emotional balance. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous emphasizes that recovery is about letting go of self-will and learning to live differently. The Serenity Prayer reflects that same idea by encouraging acceptance, courage, and wisdom—qualities that support both long-term recovery and overall mental health.
“Accept the Things I Cannot Change”
Acceptance does not mean giving up or pretending everything is okay. Instead, it means recognizing what is outside of your control, such as someone else’s choices, the past, or situations you cannot change. Continuing to fight these realities often leads to frustration, resentment, and emotional exhaustion.
By accepting what cannot be changed, you free yourself from the constant struggle of trying to control everything through self-will. This allows you to focus your time and energy on the parts of your life you can influence, which is an important step toward healthier mental health and lasting recovery.
“The Courage to Change the Things I Can”
This part of the prayer is about taking responsibility for your own actions. Recovery is built on the small choices you make every day, such as attending a meeting, calling your sponsor, practicing healthy coping skills, or asking for help when you need it.
Courage in recovery is rarely one dramatic moment. More often, it is choosing to do the next right thing, even when it feels uncomfortable. The Big Book teaches that recovery happens through consistent action rather than relying on self-will alone, and those daily choices gradually build a healthier, more fulfilling life.
“The Wisdom to Know the Difference”
The final line asks for the wisdom to recognize the difference between what you can change and what you cannot. That insight is not something most people have right away. It often develops over time through recovery, personal growth, and learning from both successes and mistakes.
As your recovery progresses, you become better at recognizing when to take action and when to let go. This growing wisdom can strengthen your recovery, improve your mental health, and help you respond to life’s challenges with greater confidence and peace.
| Prayer Line | Recovery Application |
| Accept | Focus on what cannot be controlled |
| Courage | Take healthy action |
| Wisdom | Know the difference |
Why Prayer Matters in Alcoholics Anonymous
Prayer is incorporated into several of the 12-step programs directly, such as Step 3 (turning toward a Higher Power), Step 7 (humble reliance on a higher power), and Step 11 (ongoing relationship with a higher power). Some members find that prayer helps them develop a sense of gratitude and be grounded emotionally when they are experiencing difficult times.
Prayer can also provide a way for members to experience an element of mindfulness — the ability to focus intentionally upon the present moment while being aware of your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and environment without judgment. Some members also choose to read other recovery-related prayers, such as the Prayer of St. Francis, although these are not official AA prayers.
Please note that prayer is only one of many tools available to help people in recovery and is used in many 12-Step programs. Research has found that Alcoholics Anonymous and professionally delivered 12-Step programs can support abstinence and other recovery outcomes for people with alcohol use disorder.[1]
AA Step Prayers
AA has no single formal prayer required at any of its steps; however, most of the prayers you see in AA meetings are either taken from AA literature or passed down through generations of AA members. It’s common for sponsors to teach their sponsee specific prayers associated with each of the steps they are working on. Each group may also be unique in the prayers it uses.
Common AA Step Prayers
Mostly, when an individual works through each step of AA, there will be a general subject or theme related to each step within a prayer. This may include:
- First Step Prayer: Honesty and being willing to accept that one is powerless over their addiction.
- Second Step Prayer: Hope and being open to change.
- Third Step Prayer: Surrendering oneself to a Higher Power and becoming willing to follow its will rather than their own.
- Fourth Step Prayer: The act of looking into the past honestly.
- Fifth Step Prayer: Being accountable for past wrongs
- Sixth Step Prayer: Being ready to release the old ways of living that have contributed to addiction.
- Seventh Step Prayer: Humility, which focuses on becoming willing to let go of character defects.
- Eighth Step Prayer: Being willing to make amends.
- Ninth Step Prayer: Having courage while making amends.
- Tenth Step Prayer: Daily self-reflection.
- Eleventh Step Prayer: A focus on using prayer and meditation in my daily life.
- Twelfth Step Prayer: Service to others who are recovering from addiction
How AA Members Use Prayer to Help Them Stay in Daily Recovery
Some members create small, regular times for prayer in their daily lives. A simple prayer first thing in the morning may help them define how they want to live that day. Before going to sleep, many members use time quietly to reflect on what happened during the day. In addition to these daily routines, many members will pray when experiencing cravings, anxiety, or other stressful situations. They find that praying allows them to take a deep breath and calm down before acting. Many members also pray either before or after attending meetings as well, and often relate to the “looking within” idea from Step 11.
Do You Have to Be Religious to Say Prayers?
No. The language of the “Higher Power” was chosen by AA so that it would be inclusive to people of all religions. While some members believe that the “higher power” means a deity, other members see it as nature, community, or their personal values. Those members who do not identify themselves as being religious can use prayer in ways similar to using meditative practice, time for quiet reflection, or simply creating a silent intention. The ability to define what prayer means to each individual member makes AA’s program one that is open to individuals regardless of what they believe.
Beyond Meeting Time: The Value of Prayer in Support of Your Recovery
The value of combining your prayers or meditation practice with other tools you have developed during your recovery is that they provide an additional opportunity to work through some of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that impact how you live your daily life.
Research has found that a combination of reflection and mindfulness helps to develop the ability to regulate emotions and decrease over time reactivity to stressful situations.[2] This increased capacity for emotional regulation will help increase the individual’s overall resilience; increase their appreciation for small victories each day; and result in fewer impulsive responses. There are no guarantees regarding the degree to which these changes occur in individuals; however, most members report that incorporating prayer into their overall routine has helped them create more consistent, intentional ways of living.
When Prayer Alone Isn’t Enough
While prayer can certainly be beneficial as part of someone’s recovery process, it does so best when used with a variety of other forms of support. Professional addiction treatment, counseling, medications when necessary, peer support networks, and the active participation of supportive family members are critical for recovery from alcoholism and other substance use disorders.[3] In general, recovery programs that combine both spiritually oriented practices with evidence-based treatments will generally offer a more comprehensive base of support.
Compassionate Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
One reason why the Serenity Prayer has remained such an important tool for those seeking recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is due to both the simplicity of this prayer as well as the idea it conveys about accepting what we cannot change, having the courage to change what we can, and having the wisdom to know the difference.
While not officially sanctioned by AA nor mandatory for membership, many AA members have found value in reading the AA Step Prayers as a way of reflecting upon their own personal growth and humility during each stage of their journey in completing the Twelve Steps. Many people have also found that utilizing a combination of prayer along with the benefits of support from others in a group setting, evidence-based treatments, and continued follow-up care provides them with a solid foundation for creating long-term positive change.
If you are struggling with alcoholism or another form of addiction, reach out to The Freedom Center today. Our admissions team is ready to walk you through your options and help you take your next steps.
