Third Step Prayer in AA and NA

The Third Step Prayer plays a tremendous role in the Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous recovery process. Reciting this prayer from the Big Book affirms the spiritual decision to turn over your will to a Higher Power as you understand it.

AA and NA programs are powerful tools for maintaining sobriety during the ongoing recovery process. They’re invaluable motivators after leaving treatment.

Purpose Healing Center counselors recommend a community-based program and encourage our clients to include drug/alcohol addiction support groups and additional resources locally as part of their aftercare plan.

We know that connection to others can help those in recovery accept responsibility for building the path to a successful future.

This post will break down the Third Step Prayer line by line to help you understand the power of its words. Please keep reading to gain guidance from its message, and remember our team is here at any time for additional sobriety support if you or someone you loved needs a firm foundation to start with the steps and getting sober.

What Is the 3rd Step of AA or NA?

Before we continue, let’s brush up on Step 3 of AA and NA. It states we:

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Step 3 means consciously giving up control and care of our lives to our Higher Power and trusting their wisdom. We admit that our ego and self-will have become insurmountable obstacles that have led to addiction. When we pray in the third step, we see the nature of our substance abuse and understand that nothing, not even alcohol, is stronger than God.

What Is the Third Step Prayer?

Here is the language of the prayer:

Dear 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 always. 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.

-Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, Chapter 5

In the context of AA and NA Third Step prayer, God refers to any Higher Power. It suggests a spirituality based on a Higher Power without favoring any particular denomination or religion.

In NA, the prayer is sometimes simplified to:

Take my will and my lie, guide me in recovery. Show me how to live.

-Modified NA prayer

The shorter version is still acknowledging a Higher Power and is a surrender of control to that Being.

Analyzing and Understanding the Third Step Prayer

Next, we will start breaking down and analyzing each line of the Third Step Prayer to help us understand the intentional meaning of every word. If you want to memorize the prayer, write it down while you read the words.

As we analyze the Third Step Prayer, we will refer to God or the Higher Power as “He.” Don’t get too hung up on the semantics – if your idea of God is a “She,” that’s okay, as well.

Dear God, I offer myself to thee

The first line reveals a new willingness to surrender to God. It recognizes our personal limitations and asks the Higher Power to hear our prayer at that moment.

To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt

The next phrase of the Third Step Prayer, we’re acknowledging that we’re a work in progress. We may not know the path we will take, but we are willing to surrender to God. We have faith, trusting this is a Higher Power with great compassion and love. We are ready to invite his light into our daily life.

Relieve me of the bondage of self

This passage refers to the cause of many difficulties of addiction – becoming trapped into thinking we can control our drug or alcohol abuse. When we ask to be relieved of this “bondage of self,” we are asking for specific help.

We plead for liberation from our self-imposed bondage, which has kept us stuck in addiction. We are facing our fear and becoming ready to relinquish control to God in order to have victory over addiction.

That I may better do Thy will

This line of the Third Step Prayer is a request. We’re asking God to help us align how we act with His desire for us. It shifts our focus from self-will to being of service to the Higher Power. We admit we are ready to listen to His voice, not our own. We have ceased fighting our own desire and crave the peace He offers.

Take away my difficulties

This phrase asks a second request – to remove obstacles and challenges that stand between us and recovery. This statement requires vulnerability in admitting we need help overcoming our difficulties. This part of the prayer admits that we cannot reach sobriety alone.

That victory over them may bear witness to those I would help

With this phrase of the Third Step Prayer, we recognize that our recovery can – and should – give hope to others who desire victory over sobriety. It’s the concept of paying it forward – just as we have found the path to be free from addiction, we can provide spiritual guidance to others.

Of Thy power, Thy love, and Thy way of life.

This line invokes the power, love, and thy way of life, reflecting on the qualities of God in all His goodness. It shows that we aspire to live with his continued support. When we show how we fully accept His way, we are ready to live an impactful life, just as He intended.

May I do Thy will always.

The final line of the Third Step Prayer, we close by reaffirming our promise to living a life that will please God. It sets the intention of continuing to let God stay in control.

Tips for Completing the Third Step of AA

AA/NA Step Three work can be a challenging part of addiction recovery. Accepting the newfound knowledge of God is one thing; but, asking God to take control of your life can be a bit trickier. Other prayers to contemplate and potentially adopt as part of your program include:

Finally, going back to the Step 3, here are some tips to work through the Third Step of the AA recovery program.

Work on the Third Step Starts with Attending Weekly Meetings

Take the time to study the 3rd step. Attend your weekly local AA group to stay connected with others who understand the life changes you’re making.

If you have questions, speak with other group members, the facilitator, or your sponsor to make progress. Remember, the people in AA also follow the program and understand the promise to bear witness and help others.

Define Your Higher Power

Defining your Higher Power and how they can help you overcome addiction. Your deity may be the traditional concept of God or a spiritual concept you believe is greater than yourself, like the Universe.

Once you’ve painted a picture of your version of God in your mind’s eye, you’ll be more likely to commit to recovery and find it easier submit yourself into their or its service.

Pray the Third Step Prayer Daily

Pray the words of the Third Step Prayer daily, reflecting on them and taking their essence to heart. Pause and hear them as you recite them. This advice applies to other AA and Narcotics Anonymous readings as well, as taking the time to read aloud let’s us truly hear the words being read. You’ll start to see how to apply them to life and how you can turn addiction into a service to others.

The prayer becomes self-affirming, uplifting thoughts when you say them aloud every day. It turns the hope of the prayer into a daily act or habit. If you feel uncomfortable reciting the prayer, then write it down.

Reflect and Write in Your Journal

Use your journal to reflect on the Third Step Prayer. Putting your thoughts about submission to a greater power onto paper can help you fully comprehend the prayer.

Here are three journal prompts to try:

Prompt 1: “God I offer myself to Thee.” What does it mean to offer myself to a greater power. How can I practice surrender in my life?

Prompt 2: “To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.” How can I open myself up to the transformative work of recovery? What changes have I already made?

Prompt 3: “Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will always.” How can I seek relief from the burdens of my substance use and better

Purpose: Offering Effective, Lasting Recovery for a Better Life

AA helps support many in recovery as they seek to restore their sanity. If you’re thinking that you need professional treatment beyond what AA or NA can provide, the Purpose team is here to help.

We know that addiction disrupts life and can lead to job loss and financial strain. That’s why we work with most of the top insurance programs, such as AHCCCS or Arizona Medicaid. We don’t want you to be held back from living life to the fullest because of cost.

Our team even calls your insurance company to get your recovery plan approved in advance. You have peace of mind knowing that treatment will cost you little to nothing with insurance benefits applied.

Call us today with your insurance information handy. We’re glad to listen to your questions or concerns and make the calls to get your treatment covered today.