--Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him--
...Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:
a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives.(Step 1)
b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.
c) That God could and would if he were sought.(Step 2)
Being convinced, we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we understood him. Just what do we mean by that, and just what do we do?
Alcoholics Anonymous pp60
Suggested reading: Chapter 5 "How It Works" pp58-63
3rd 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!
We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him. Alcoholics Anonymous pp63
cheri said
Jun 14, 2005
Practicing Step Three is like the opening of a door which to all appearances is still closed and locked. All we need is a key, and the decision to swing the door open. There is only one key, and it is called willingness. Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself, and looking through it, we shall see a pathway beside which is an inscription. It reads: "This is the way to a faith that works." In the first two Steps we were engaged in reflection. We saw that we were powerless over alcohol, but we also percieved that faith of some kind, if only in AA itself, is possible to anyone. These conclusions did not require action; they only required acceptance.
Like all the remaining Steps, Step Three calls for affirmative action, for it is only by action that we can cut away the self-will which has always blocked the entry to God-or, if you like, a Higher Power-into our lives. Faith, to be sure, is necessary, but faith alone can avail nothing. We can have faith, yet keep God out of our lives. Therefore our problem now becomes just how and by what specifiic means shall we attempt to let Him in? Step Three represents our first attempt to do this. In fact, the effectiveness of the whole AA program will rest upon how well and earnestly we have tried to come to "a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him."
--Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him--
...Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:
a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives.(Step 1)
b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.
c) That God could and would if he were sought.(Step 2)
Being convinced, we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we understood him. Just what do we mean by that, and just what do we do?
Alcoholics Anonymous pp60
Suggested reading: Chapter 5 "How It Works" pp58-63
3rd 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!
We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him. Alcoholics Anonymous pp63
Practicing Step Three is like the opening of a door which to all appearances is still closed and locked. All we need is a key, and the decision to swing the door open. There is only one key, and it is called willingness. Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself, and looking through it, we shall see a pathway beside which is an inscription. It reads: "This is the way to a faith that works." In the first two Steps we were engaged in reflection. We saw that we were powerless over alcohol, but we also percieved that faith of some kind, if only in AA itself, is possible to anyone. These conclusions did not require action; they only required acceptance.
Like all the remaining Steps, Step Three calls for affirmative action, for it is only by action that we can cut away the self-will which has always blocked the entry to God-or, if you like, a Higher Power-into our lives. Faith, to be sure, is necessary, but faith alone can avail nothing. We can have faith, yet keep God out of our lives. Therefore our problem now becomes just how and by what specifiic means shall we attempt to let Him in? Step Three represents our first attempt to do this. In fact, the effectiveness of the whole AA program will rest upon how well and earnestly we have tried to come to "a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him."
12x12 pp 34