Prayer to Mary, Mother of Recovery
My Lady,
I come to you seeking your help,
and to invite you to walk with me on my journey in recovery.
Without God’s help, I know that life is completely unmanageable.
There is much over which I don’t have power,
and it is Our Father alone who has power over all things.
Help me to turn my will and my life over to his care as you did,
and to have the courage to look over my days
with a careful and honest eye.
Help me to bring order to my disordered thinking,
and to lay aside those things
that do not contribute to the Father’s will.
Intercede for me with your son,
that I may find forgiveness for my sins,
the courage to make amends,
and the prudence to know when to move on.
Lead me deeper and deeper into the heart of your son,
so that like you I may find peace through communion with him,
and sing always of the goodness of God,
who has forever changed my life,
by awakening me to the glory he has in store for me.
Amen.
Marian Step Prayers
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous contains prayers for the individual making the steps to seek the guidance of God during his/her step-work. Provided here are those prayers, as well as Marian variations.
Step Prayers
Third Step Prayer
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
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. Amen.
Marian Variation
Third Step Prayer
My lady, take my hand as I offer myself to our Father, so that like you, he can take me and do with me what he wills. Help me to lay aside my selfishness, my pride, and my ego, that I may better do his will. Guide me to overcome my shortcomings, that my victory over them may bear witness to those who are in need of your power, your love, and your way of life. May it likewise be done to me according to the Father’s will!
Seventh Step Prayer
My lady, I am now willing that Our Father in heaven should have all of me, the good and the bad. I pray that you intercede for me now and ask that He remove from me every defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to Him, and to my fellows. May He give me all the strength I need, as I go out from here, to do his bidding in all things, like you did. May we then one day stand together in His presence, to praise and glorify Him forever. Amen.