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.”
“Step Eleven suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn’t be shy on this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85
Step 11 is a daily practice, not a one-time event. It’s the maintenance step that keeps the spiritual connection alive — the difference between a program that works and one that stalls.
What Step 11 actually involves
Prayer — talking to your Higher Power. It doesn’t need to be formal. Many people use the Third Step Prayer, the Seventh Step Prayer, or the St. Francis Prayer. Others just speak honestly.
“There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakeable foundation for life.” — Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Step 11
Meditation — listening. Quieting the mind enough to receive direction rather than generate noise. Even 5–10 minutes of stillness counts.
“In meditation, we ask God what we should do about each troubled area of living. In each case we are asking to be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86
Morning review — asking: What do I need today? Am I seeking self-will or God’s will?
“On awakening let us think about the twenty-four hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86
Evening review — asking: Where was I resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid? What could I have done better?
“When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once? Were we kind and loving toward all?” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 86
Common struggles
“I don’t know how to meditate.” You don’t need a technique. Sit quietly, breathe, and try to let go of the mental chatter. That’s enough to start.
“As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day ‘Thy will be done.’” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 87–88
“I don’t believe in God.” The step says “as we understood Him.” Your Higher Power can be the group, a principle, nature, or simply a force greater than your own thinking.
“We find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 87
“I do it inconsistently.” Most people do. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s returning. Every morning you pick it back up is a success.
“It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 85
“I don’t feel anything.” The feeling often comes later, or quietly. Many people report that the results show up in their behavior and reactions before they feel anything in prayer itself.
“We alcoholics are undisciplined. So we let God discipline us in the simple way we have just outlined.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 88
Practical suggestions
- Keep it simple and short at first — 5 minutes morning and evening
- Use a written prayer or the Serenity Prayer if you don’t know where to start
- Try reading a daily reflection book (AA’s Daily Reflections, ACA’s Strengthening My Recovery)
- Journal after meditation — even one sentence about what came up
“We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only.” — Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 87
Speaker talks on Step 11
- Dying to Live: Surrender and Eleventh Step Prayer — David M
- Steps 10–12 — Don M
- Connections With Self and Others Via the 12 Steps — ACA Meeting
Related tags
prayer · spirituality · daily-maintenance · god · step-10 · step-12
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