Spirituality During Recovery
Regardless of who you were before your addiction, how you were raised or what you believed, experts agree that prayer during addiction and recovery is a critical part of success. While they may seem extremely similar, religion and spirituality can be approached from different perspectives. Many men and women suffering from addiction find comfort and success in spiritual belief while not believing in or practicing any formal religion. Holistic forms of spiritual meditation, such as tai chi, yoga or being out in nature are all great ways to connect to something greater without having to commit to religion.
Groups and recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous heavily lean into spirituality. While they try to keep themselves as neutral as possible, they do focus most of their steps on deference to a Higher Power, usually referred to as God. AA and NA also present many Christian prayers to help keep their guests grounded and positive. Of course, there are alternatives to this such as SMART Recovery – which attempts to keep its program more research and fact based.
Whichever way you feel most comfortable is ultimately up to you. Because we are a program that believes in the power of healing the soul as well as the body and mind, we are going to discuss prayer during recovery.
A Higher Power to Fight Addiction
Believing in a Higher Power is the Second Step of the 12 Step Program. Many individuals identify this as God and as such, their prayers are directed toward Him. Those who are not comfortable with religion may choose to make their Higher Power something they can see in nature, such as the sun or the ocean. The idea is that this controlling force is greater than us, and in connecting to it, we are connecting with the universe itself.
Step 2 states:
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.
Finding your Higher Power and realizing you are part of something much bigger, helps you to see the world outside your own box. Having some kind of faith will reduce overall stress and depression, to help you live a more healthy and grounded life.
At Royal Life Centers, we support all religions and all forms of spirituality – as long as it is not toxic or detrimental to yourself or others. We make it our goal to allow guests to explore themselves and develop a deeper connection with the Higher Power they choose. We have experienced beautiful transformations in this spiritual relationships, we so we believe in the power it has.
Praying During Addiction
During active addiction, most of your actions and thoughts are controlled by your addiction. Instead of praying for health and happiness, you plead for that next high. You may maintain religion or spirituality, but it looks very different. Spirituality may be lost all together, as some substances make us lose all sense of ourselves. Your mind has been taken over by force greater than you – your addiction. This is not the Power that you want in control. As you begin to transition toward a life of recovery, you shed the skin of begging for money or drugs, and begin to pray for true meaning instead.
Praying During Recovery
True prayer to a Higher Power is not only healthy, but highly recommended by sponsors and by the 12 Step Program. This time, you are seeking healing and strength – not temporary relief. You wish to fix your body, mind and soul, not get a fix of your drug of choice. While you are in recovery, praying should be a regular part of your everyday routine and should continue on to keep you positive and grounded throughout your life.
Prayers We Recommend:
Depending on your spirituality or faith of choosing, there are countless prayers out there that may assist you in your journey. Here are just some of the ones that we recommend, which have helped our guests get through their times of need. Depending on your higher power of choice, you can replace the title in the brackets.
The Serenity Prayer
Dear [higher power],
I ask you to turn this weakness into strength, this suffering into compassion, sorrow into joy, and pain into comfort for others.
May I trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness,even in the middle of this struggle.
Fill me with patience and joy in your presence as I breathe in your healing life.
St. Francis’ Prayer
[Lord],
make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
The Third Step
[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!
Prayer for Children in Recovery
I trust that you understand my son/daughter. You have carried him in the hardest times. Only you have seen each despairing moment, and only you have walked beside him. Now I ask that you, with your gentle, healing hands would lead him away from his drug addiction. Cover his mind and body as he faces the withdrawal, and fill his heart with songs of hope. Help him to see what you can already see. My son, cleansed of all the upset and brokenness, free to live and love, restored and redeemed.
The Recovery Prayer
“Today, I heal my body, my mind, my spirit, my life. Drugs are a part of my past; they are not part of my now, they are not part of my future. Today, I am clean. Today, I am clean and free. Today, I am becoming strong one second at a time, on thought at a time, one action at a time. I am learning how to live and to be the best parts of me today. Today, I am clean and free.”
– Abby Willowroot
General Prayers
Dear [Higher Power],
Thank you for keeping me sober another day. I pray only for the knowledge of your will for me, and the power to carry that out. I pray that you keep me sober again tomorrow.
Dear [Lord],
I ask you to turn this weakness into strength,
this suffering into compassion,
sorrow into joy,
and pain into comfort for others.
May I trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness,
even in the middle of this struggle.
Fill me with patience and joy in your presence as I breathe in your healing life.
[Lord],
look upon me with eyes of mercy.
May Your healing hand rest upon me,
may Your life-giving powers flow into every cell of my body
and into the depths of my soul,
cleansing, purifying, restoring me to wholeness and strength.
I cleanse myself of all
selfishness, resentment, critical feelings for my fellow beings, self-condemnation, and misinterpretation of my life experiences.
I bathe myself in generosity, appreciation, praise and gratitude for my fellow beings, self-acceptance, and enlightened understanding of my life experiences
Reach Out
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse of any sort, please reach out to us at (877)-RECOVERY or 877-732-6837. Our team of addiction specialists make themselves available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here to help, to be a friend, to show support and to be a positive life in a dark time. Because We Care.
