“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God*, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”
The principle of Step 11, found both in scripture and the 12-Steps, offers clear direction. It advises starting each day by considering the next 24 hours, seeking God’s guidance while purging negativity and selfishness from our thoughts. By aligning with higher motives, we can confidently use our mental faculties as the gifts they are. Before sleep, we review our actions, checking for resentment, selfishness, or dishonesty, striving for kindness and selflessness in our interactions. Yet, we’re warned against dwelling on worry or regret, as it hinders our ability to serve. After reflection, we seek forgiveness and guidance from God for improvement.
In our quest to understand and follow God’s will throughout the day, we may face moments of indecision. Turning to the Holy Spirit and Jesus for inspiration and clarity, we navigate these uncertainties with ease, avoiding unnecessary struggle. Remarkably, with persistence, the right answers often reveal themselves in time.
- Do I seek God’s will daily in a disciplined manner? Consistently? Purposefully? If so, how? If not, what keeps you from doing so?
- In what ways do you seek to God to help you direct your thinking? What tools and practices do you use? How are they working? What else could you include in your daily walk to stay connected with and concsious of God?
- Discuss your answers with your Recovery partner. Together ask God to strengthen your consciousness contact with Him and the Holy Spirit.
Bible verses to consider:
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10
Source: page 86 Alcoholics Anonymous
