Sought through PRAYER AND MEDITATION TO IMPROVE OUR CONSCIOUS CONTACT WITH GOD,as we understood HIM, PRAYING ONLY FOR KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL FOR US AND THE POWER TO CARRY THAT OUT.
ODAT Reading: God is present in all His creatures, but all are not equally aware of His presence.
MY SHARE
I believe that Prayer is talking to God and Mediation is listening to God. I had to learn to listen to the "Still small voice within, instead of the loud negative voice I always listened to.
Again with this Step, I worked it out of order. After I had reconciled with the God of my understanding in Step 2, I reviewed all the other Steps and thought it an impossible task for me. I knew that these Steps held the key to living my life differently and I was determined to continue on this journey. I decided that in order to get the courage to move forward I needed to jump the Steps so that I could obtain the clarity and courage to do the work of Steps 4 thru 9
Reading the Steps was very easy--- Acting on them and using them in my life very, very hard.
I looked thru each Step and Slogan and found I could do Step 11 with ease The reason for that is in Step 11, I not only pray for the knowledge for HPs will for me but I also ask for and receive the Power to carry it out!!!
What a gift!! What a promise!!! HP is not going to ask anything of me that He does not provide the courage, wisdom and strength for me to succeed.
I started small. Each morning I asked HP to show me His will today and give me the power to go forth. Then I said the serenity prayer and started my day.
Any time during the day that I felt angry, resentful, sad, I would repeat the serenity prayer and trust HP to guide my actions and words. At the end of the day my sponsor and I would review the day as in a 10th Step and would see clearly how HP had guided my actions and what courage I had been given. I handled/ handle situations that use to confuse me and make me want to run. I spoke my truth with courtesy and kindness all this was new for me. I usually tried to manipulate situations so I would obtain my will. Here I was trusting HP, being Honest, Open and Willing and my days were falling into place like never before.
I work this Step each and every day. I ask HP for the courage, wisdom and serenity to live through this day only and trust that I will be lead.
Just a note, my HP did not promise a Rose Garden. I have had many a heart break on this Spiritual Journey. Some that sent me into a tail spin. The loss of my precious son to this disease was major. I felt the sadness; the anger, the grief the huge loss and I also felt deep down a peace that surpasses understanding. I did receive the power to face this very difficult loss with HPs help I will always miss and love my child and have a deep sadness at his loss however I also am oh so grateful that this beautiful gift from HP, was in my life for over 40 years and I can recall the many joys and love we shared.
I love this Step
Thanks for letting me share.
Activities
1. Have you begun the discipline of prayer in your life? What does that consist of? What are your feelings and fears about praying, about talking to God? What time of day works best for prayer? Do you have a favorite place?
2. How do you meditate? Do you like meditation books? Which are your favorites? When is you best time for reading a meditation? Do you like tapes? Have you experimented with any other forms of meditation?
3. What other activities help you relax and get in touch with yourself?
4. The next time you get stressed, instead of pushing harder, you might want to walk away from what you are doing and find a way to get quiet and centered. If you are at work, you may want to retreat into a private area-your office, if you have one, or even a bathroom will do. Breathe deeply, then let go of your thoughts, worries, and chaos. Allow peace and healing to enter your body. Stay with it as long as you can or as long as you need
--
-- Edited by hotrod on Friday 31st of January 2014 11:49:37 PM
tracy said
Feb 2, 2014
this is my favourite step.
As a little girl I used to chat with something when things were bad. As I got older I would pray at difficult times asking for god to help me. When I joined al anon my praying changed from asking for what I wanted and only in times of need.
Today I start my day with steps 123
I pray admit my powerlessness and ask hp to help me to keep the focus on myself and my life.
I tell my Hp I believe in him and that I hope he to be returned to sanity.
Then I say I hand over my life and will and ask to have knowledge of his will as he knows what is best for me and the power to carry his will out.
I talk to my Hp all through the day various times and places.
At night I thank Hp for my life , family, recovery etc, I try and do a step ten but lots of room for improvement here.
I have a tape a guided meditation tape that really helps me to hear my HP but if I am honest I should use it more.
One of my short comings is my listening skills I ray well but need to listen and meditate more.
Hp is inside me with me all the time I have had a connection since childhood I do not know how cause no one in my family taught me it was just there, al anon has nurtured this relationship it is the biggest gift of my recovery.
tracy xxx
Jerry F said
Feb 2, 2014
Mahalo Betty and Tracy. My prayer and meditation also changed a bunch to where it is now because of the program and fellowship support. I use to pray as taught as a Catholic (no hair on my knees) and repetitious. It was all talking and no listening either with my ears or eyes and then gratefully because of alcoholism and drug addiction I got to meet the "walkers" in Al-Anon...people who "did" rather than just said and I wanted what they had...peace and serenity of mind and soul. I learned program prayers and built my meditation based upon HP leading me to "keep it simple" as I could/can get lost in wordiness. I loved the 3rd step prayer and still my HP found me to be too wordy..."Keep it simple" HP instructed me and so I do and the prayer at my morning awakening is "Place me where you want me...tell me what to do". I know that God is already awake and knows everything about what I need and where I can and will help. MY meditation has also been brought to a simple "God is" (period) because that is true and I can hold on to that meditation 24/7 no matter what else is going on in my life.
Step 11 is a daily practice...a necessity required by step 1. ((((hugs))))
hotrod said
Feb 3, 2014
Dear Tracy
I appreciate your honest, thougthful share on this Step. It is wonderful to feel and hear how others work this Step and how beneficial they find it
Dear Jerry F
Thank you so very much for your powerful, insightful share on this wonderful Step. I cannot imagine HP finding you too wordy.
I Love reading your posts and processing your thoughts
Thanks again Jerry for connecting
-- Edited by hotrod on Monday 3rd of February 2014 01:13:16 AM
grateful2be said
Feb 3, 2014
Step 11 is my favorite step, too. I utilize it together with the ODAT method of discerning God's will for me each day when I am going through especially difficult times. There is a calming rhythm for me to this step. It helps me focus on what is most important to me each day - God and God's purposes - and it helps me know I am not alone and there is a purpose to my life each day. Otherwise, my life just feels like it is a random bunch of events and I'm sitting in a rowboat banging oars on water but going nowhere but straight to discouragement and depression if I keep trying to row the boat of my life on my own steam.
hotrod said
Feb 3, 2014
I agree grateful2be What a true gift this program is.This Step reinfores the power of prayer and meditation. Being connected to my HP, knowing I have a purpose and will be guided is such a fantastic reward for simply working this program
We are not alone and will not be asked to do anyting that we are not given the power to do
What a promise!!!
siminotes said
Feb 3, 2014
Hello....New to online recovery.....Loved the way Jerry says the steps lead him to a Simple God....
Everything Does indeed change........thank you
hotrod said
Feb 3, 2014
Welcome seminotes Keep coming back. This is a Step work Board. We have a Main Alanon Board where you can continue to share
So happy to be here but had to change my name.. had a hard time logging in with old; wouldn't let me .. MeTwo2 .. but anyway .. Step 11 .. well i worked to step 9 the first time, worked to step 4 5 now again for second time but prayer and meditation ? i still do this step even now .. with praying for knowledge of Gods will .. i used to get confused with this .. felt alot like a feely thy will be done .. i just couldn't wrap my fingers around it .. so one day while praying I began to think of .. praying for knowledge .. of thy will be done .. knowledge to know what that really means .. you tell me about it, God .. and he began to bit by bit .. still has to .. My way led me straight to insanity through the doors of alanon .. my way never really did work, regardless of what i'd done; i'd tried everything .. So i am beginning to see it, however slow .. why would i pray for things to Again go back to My way .. what a mess i've had to clean .. do i really know what i'm asking for when i ask for things to be My way .. half lol .. i'm in a whirlwind on my 4th step right now; deep level; how many more of those do i wanna do .. i mean i will always have them but .. how often and few between do i want them because they are my way .. it's why i need them because i've made a mess .. but I relate with hotrods sharing up there too, prayer talking .. meditating listening .. i really never knew how to pray before alanon .. i did many traditional prayers; some i still do but it's expanded .. sitting in the rooms of alanon realising everytime someone shares from the heart, it's really a prayer .. we place it in the center of the room before god to heal .. we listen .. we hear .. we heal a small piece of our past, ourselves, and our todays .. i love this because i get confused at times how to pray with my youngest (10) .. last night we got together to pray (hard for me to do this) and again i began wondering how do we really do this .. i was praying to a god of my past, i didn't understand .. it hit me .. we can just talk about our day or anything we're going through as if we're talking to a friend because we are .. and include others .. it went from there and a little light was shown in my darkness .. speaking of light i heard a beautiful thing before coming in .. with hp giving just what we need for a day .. as in just enough courage to sit through a meeting one day at a time in the beginning until we grow more, etc .. i heard we get enough light for one day .. if we veer into the future we will only see darkness because it isn't time to see the light there yet .. it's in today .. helps me rethink one day at a time .. today .. love this program, the fellowship, and hp .. the loving God expressing himself in group conscience is good .. i have to keep reminding myself that .. my perception of higher power has been clouded for years ..
-- Edited by Serenity4uNme on Tuesday 11th of February 2014 03:54:28 PM
Serenity4uNme said
Feb 10, 2014
even seeing Only for his will helps today .. just sharpens the perception -- think i was so used to being left out for years I thought he wanted to leave me out too .. like hp wasn't caring at all what i wanted .. made it hard for me to keep turning to him .. i expected him to let me down; ignore me .. -- Edited by Serenity4uNme on Tuesday 11th of February 2014 03:59:06 PM
-- Edited by Serenity4uNme on Tuesday 11th of February 2014 07:55:48 PM
hotrod said
Feb 16, 2014
Serenity
I can so identify with your share. I too finally "SAW "when i realized that I was praying ONLY for" MY Will "and then feeling rejected if my prayer went unanswered.
It did work when I changed my prayer to" His Will."
Serenity4uNme said
Feb 17, 2014
wow .. Thank you for the simple very powerful reply .. See why we need to pray only for His will .. it's the only way to see ..
enjoylife said
Mar 30, 2014
Hi Step 11 is my favorite. Lately (actually for a long time now) I have been using this Step in a state of desperation to feel better emotionally and to find my way thru my own life. I selected the name enjoylife because I don't know how anymore. I want to find out where I belong in life, what I should be doing and asking trying to make that conscious contact to help me get there.
hotrod said
Mar 30, 2014
Welcome enjoy life,
I am so pleased that you found MIP and appreciate your honest share on step 11. I agree, this is my favorite step as it promises that when I do HP's will I will be given the power to carry it out. What a promise!!!!!
I know that life is difficult and if I am given the courage, serenity and wisdom necessary, I can live life on life's terms and find joy and happiness.
Step 11
Sought through PRAYER AND MEDITATION TO IMPROVE OUR CONSCIOUS CONTACT WITH GOD,as we understood HIM, PRAYING ONLY FOR KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL FOR US AND THE POWER TO CARRY THAT OUT.
ODAT Reading: God is present in all His creatures, but all are not equally aware of His presence.
MY SHARE
I believe that Prayer is talking to God and Mediation is listening to God. I had to learn to listen to the "Still small voice within, instead of the loud negative voice I always listened to.
Again with this Step, I worked it out of order. After I had reconciled with the God of my understanding in Step 2, I reviewed all the other Steps and thought it an impossible task for me. I knew that these Steps held the key to living my life differently and I was determined to continue on this journey. I decided that in order to get the courage to move forward I needed to jump the Steps so that I could obtain the clarity and courage to do the work of Steps 4 thru 9
Reading the Steps was very easy--- Acting on them and using them in my life very, very hard.
I looked thru each Step and Slogan and found I could do Step 11 with ease The reason for that is in Step 11, I not only pray for the knowledge for HPs will for me but I also ask for and receive the Power to carry it out!!!
What a gift!! What a promise!!! HP is not going to ask anything of me that He does not provide the courage, wisdom and strength for me to succeed.
I started small. Each morning I asked HP to show me His will today and give me the power to go forth. Then I said the serenity prayer and started my day.
Any time during the day that I felt angry, resentful, sad, I would repeat the serenity prayer and trust HP to guide my actions and words. At the end of the day my sponsor and I would review the day as in a 10th Step and would see clearly how HP had guided my actions and what courage I had been given. I handled/ handle situations that use to confuse me and make me want to run. I spoke my truth with courtesy and kindness all this was new for me. I usually tried to manipulate situations so I would obtain my will. Here I was trusting HP, being Honest, Open and Willing and my days were falling into place like never before.
I work this Step each and every day. I ask HP for the courage, wisdom and serenity to live through this day only and trust that I will be lead.
Just a note, my HP did not promise a Rose Garden. I have had many a heart break on this Spiritual Journey. Some that sent me into a tail spin. The loss of my precious son to this disease was major. I felt the sadness; the anger, the grief the huge loss and I also felt deep down a peace that surpasses understanding. I did receive the power to face this very difficult loss with HPs help I will always miss and love my child and have a deep sadness at his loss however I also am oh so grateful that this beautiful gift from HP, was in my life for over 40 years and I can recall the many joys and love we shared.
I love this Step
Thanks for letting me share.
Activities1. Have you begun the discipline of prayer in your life? What does that consist of? What are your feelings and fears about praying, about talking to God? What time of day works best for prayer? Do you have a favorite place?
2. How do you meditate? Do you like meditation books? Which are your favorites? When is you best time for reading a meditation? Do you like tapes? Have you experimented with any other forms of meditation?
3. What other activities help you relax and get in touch with yourself?
4. The next time you get stressed, instead of pushing harder, you might want to walk away from what you are doing and find a way to get quiet and centered. If you are at work, you may want to retreat into a private area-your office, if you have one, or even a bathroom will do. Breathe deeply, then let go of your thoughts, worries, and chaos. Allow peace and healing to enter your body. Stay with it as long as you can or as long as you need
--
-- Edited by hotrod on Friday 31st of January 2014 11:49:37 PM
this is my favourite step.
As a little girl I used to chat with something when things were bad. As I got older I would pray at difficult times asking for god to help me. When I joined al anon my praying changed from asking for what I wanted and only in times of need.
Today I start my day with steps 123
I pray admit my powerlessness and ask hp to help me to keep the focus on myself and my life.
I tell my Hp I believe in him and that I hope he to be returned to sanity.
Then I say I hand over my life and will and ask to have knowledge of his will as he knows what is best for me and the power to carry his will out.
I talk to my Hp all through the day various times and places.
At night I thank Hp for my life , family, recovery etc, I try and do a step ten but lots of room for improvement here.
I have a tape a guided meditation tape that really helps me to hear my HP but if I am honest I should use it more.
One of my short comings is my listening skills I ray well but need to listen and meditate more.
Hp is inside me with me all the time I have had a connection since childhood I do not know how cause no one in my family taught me it was just there, al anon has nurtured this relationship it is the biggest gift of my recovery.
tracy xxx
Mahalo Betty and Tracy. My prayer and meditation also changed a bunch to where it is now because of the program and fellowship support. I use to pray as taught as a Catholic (no hair on my knees) and repetitious. It was all talking and no listening either with my ears or eyes and then gratefully because of alcoholism and drug addiction I got to meet the "walkers" in Al-Anon...people who "did" rather than just said and I wanted what they had...peace and serenity of mind and soul. I learned program prayers and built my meditation based upon HP leading me to "keep it simple" as I could/can get lost in wordiness. I loved the 3rd step prayer and still my HP found me to be too wordy..."Keep it simple" HP instructed me and so I do and the prayer at my morning awakening is "Place me where you want me...tell me what to do". I know that God is already awake and knows everything about what I need and where I can and will help. MY meditation has also been brought to a simple "God is" (period) because that is true and I can hold on to that meditation 24/7 no matter what else is going on in my life.
Step 11 is a daily practice...a necessity required by step 1. ((((hugs))))
Dear Tracy
I appreciate your honest, thougthful share on this Step. It is wonderful to feel and hear how others work this Step and how beneficial they find it
Dear Jerry F
Thank you so very much for your powerful, insightful share on this wonderful Step. I cannot imagine HP finding you too wordy.
I Love reading your posts and processing your thoughts
Thanks again Jerry for connecting
-- Edited by hotrod on Monday 3rd of February 2014 01:13:16 AM
I agree grateful2be What a true gift this program is.This Step reinfores the power of prayer and meditation. Being connected to my HP, knowing I have a purpose and will be guided is such a fantastic reward for simply working this program
We are not alone and will not be asked to do anyting that we are not given the power to do
What a promise!!!
Hello....New to online recovery.....Loved the way Jerry says the steps lead him to a Simple God....
Everything Does indeed change........thank you
Welcome seminotes Keep coming back. This is a Step work Board. We have a Main Alanon Board where you can continue to share
here: http://alanon.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=42727
So happy to be here but had to change my name.. had a hard time logging in with old; wouldn't let me .. MeTwo2 .. but anyway .. Step 11 .. well i worked to step 9 the first time, worked to step 4 5 now again for second time but prayer and meditation ? i still do this step even now .. with praying for knowledge of Gods will .. i used to get confused with this .. felt alot like a feely thy will be done .. i just couldn't wrap my fingers around it .. so one day while praying I began to think of .. praying for knowledge .. of thy will be done .. knowledge to know what that really means .. you tell me about it, God .. and he began to bit by bit .. still has to .. My way led me straight to insanity through the doors of alanon .. my way never really did work, regardless of what i'd done; i'd tried everything .. So i am beginning to see it, however slow .. why would i pray for things to Again go back to My way .. what a mess i've had to clean .. do i really know what i'm asking for when i ask for things to be My way .. half lol .. i'm in a whirlwind on my 4th step right now; deep level; how many more of those do i wanna do .. i mean i will always have them but .. how often and few between do i want them because they are my way .. it's why i need them because i've made a mess .. but I relate with hotrods sharing up there too, prayer talking .. meditating listening .. i really never knew how to pray before alanon .. i did many traditional prayers; some i still do but it's expanded .. sitting in the rooms of alanon realising everytime someone shares from the heart, it's really a prayer .. we place it in the center of the room before god to heal .. we listen .. we hear .. we heal a small piece of our past, ourselves, and our todays .. i love this because i get confused at times how to pray with my youngest (10) .. last night we got together to pray (hard for me to do this) and again i began wondering how do we really do this .. i was praying to a god of my past, i didn't understand .. it hit me .. we can just talk about our day or anything we're going through as if we're talking to a friend because we are .. and include others .. it went from there and a little light was shown in my darkness .. speaking of light i heard a beautiful thing before coming in .. with hp giving just what we need for a day .. as in just enough courage to sit through a meeting one day at a time in the beginning until we grow more, etc .. i heard we get enough light for one day .. if we veer into the future we will only see darkness because it isn't time to see the light there yet .. it's in today .. helps me rethink one day at a time .. today .. love this program, the fellowship, and hp .. the loving God expressing himself in group conscience is good .. i have to keep reminding myself that .. my perception of higher power has been clouded for years ..
-- Edited by Serenity4uNme on Tuesday 11th of February 2014 03:54:28 PM
even seeing Only for his will helps today .. just sharpens the perception -- think i was so used to being left out for years I thought he wanted to leave me out too .. like hp wasn't caring at all what i wanted .. made it hard for me to keep turning to him .. i expected him to let me down; ignore me .. -- Edited by Serenity4uNme on Tuesday 11th of February 2014 03:59:06 PM
-- Edited by Serenity4uNme on Tuesday 11th of February 2014 07:55:48 PM
Serenity
I can so identify with your share. I too finally "SAW "when i realized that I was praying ONLY for" MY Will "and then feeling rejected if my prayer went unanswered.
It did work when I changed my prayer to" His Will."
Welcome enjoy life,
I am so pleased that you found MIP and appreciate your honest share on step 11. I agree, this is my favorite step as it promises that when I do HP's will I will be given the power to carry it out. What a promise!!!!!
I know that life is difficult and if I am given the courage, serenity and wisdom necessary, I can live life on life's terms and find joy and happiness.
Love the name that you selected. It shows hope.
Please keep coming back