set aside prayer a.a. pdf
The Set Aside Prayer in Alcoholics Anonymous
The Set Aside Prayer, also known as the lay aside prayer, is a popular prayer within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs. It is a prayer of humility and openness, asking for the ability to let go of preconceived notions and embrace new experiences. This prayer encourages individuals to approach recovery, the steps, and even their relationship with a Higher Power with a fresh perspective.
Introduction
In the realm of recovery and personal growth, the Set Aside Prayer stands as a beacon of humility and openness. This powerful prayer, frequently utilized within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs, encourages individuals to release their rigid beliefs and embrace a fresh perspective on their journey. It’s a call to surrender preconceived notions about oneself, the recovery process, and even the concept of a Higher Power, allowing for a more profound and transformative experience. The prayer’s simplicity and universality have resonated with countless individuals seeking guidance and transformation, making it a cornerstone of many recovery programs.
The Set Aside Prayer is not merely a set of words; it’s a powerful tool for self-reflection and spiritual exploration. It invites individuals to confront their ingrained assumptions and biases, paving the way for a more honest and authentic connection with themselves and the world around them. This prayer’s impact extends beyond the confines of AA, finding resonance in various settings where individuals seek growth and change. It serves as a reminder that true progress often requires a willingness to relinquish control and embrace the unknown.
Origins and History
The origins of the Set Aside Prayer are shrouded in a certain degree of mystery, with various accounts and interpretations circulating within the AA community. While its exact authorship remains unclear, its roots can be traced back to the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous, “The Big Book.” The prayer draws inspiration from the chapter “To the Agnostic,” which emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and willingness to explore a power greater than oneself. The prayer’s popularity is attributed to its concise and impactful message, resonating deeply with individuals seeking to break free from self-imposed limitations and embrace a new way of being.
The prayer’s widespread adoption can be linked to the teachings and experiences of various AA speakers and members who recognized its profound value. One notable figure often associated with the prayer is Joe H. of Santa Monica, California, whose sobriety date was in August 1982. He was known for incorporating the Set Aside Prayer into his talks and encouraging its use as a tool for personal growth. The prayer’s influence has extended beyond individual testimonies, finding its way into Big Book study guides and tapes, further cementing its place within the AA tradition.
The Prayer’s Text and Variations
The Set Aside Prayer exists in various forms, with each iteration reflecting the unique experiences and perspectives of those who have embraced its message. While the core essence remains consistent, the wording can differ slightly, catering to individual preferences and interpretations. Here’s a common version of the prayer⁚ “Dear God, please help me set aside everything I think I know about myself, my disease, these steps, and especially You; for an open mind and a new experience with myself, my disease, these steps and especially You.”
Another widely circulated version focuses on a broader perspective⁚ “Dear God, please set aside everything I think I know about myself, this book, my disease, these steps, and especially about you dear God so that I might have an open mind and a new experience with all these things. Please help me to see the truth.”
The variations often emphasize specific aspects of the prayer’s core message, such as the importance of letting go of preconceived notions about oneself, the program, or a higher power. This flexibility allows individuals to personalize the prayer, making it a more meaningful and impactful tool in their recovery journey.
Meaning and Intention
The Set Aside Prayer goes beyond mere words; it embodies a profound shift in perspective. It encourages individuals to let go of their rigid beliefs and embrace a state of openness and receptivity. The prayer’s intention lies in creating a space for new experiences, insights, and understandings to emerge. It acknowledges that our preconceived notions, particularly about ourselves, our struggles, and our relationship with a higher power, can often obstruct our path to recovery and growth.
By asking to “set aside” these ingrained beliefs, the prayer invites us to approach recovery with a fresh perspective, free from the limitations of past assumptions. It acknowledges that our understanding of ourselves, our disease, and the recovery process may be incomplete or even inaccurate, and that true progress requires a willingness to let go of these limitations. The prayer also emphasizes the importance of openness to new experiences, suggesting that true growth often comes from stepping outside of our comfort zones and embracing the unknown.
The Set Aside Prayer, in its essence, is a call to humility, a recognition that we are not always the best judges of our own needs and that seeking guidance from a higher power or through the support of others can be essential to our journey.
Applications Beyond AA
The Set Aside Prayer’s profound message of openness and humility transcends the specific context of addiction recovery. Its principles can be applied to a wide range of situations where individuals find themselves clinging to rigid beliefs or resisting new perspectives. Whether it’s navigating personal relationships, embracing new opportunities, or confronting challenging life experiences, the Set Aside Prayer offers a framework for approaching these situations with greater receptivity and a willingness to learn and grow.
For instance, in personal relationships, the Set Aside Prayer can help individuals release preconceived notions about their partners, their roles within the relationship, or the dynamics of communication. It encourages a willingness to listen with an open mind, to see things from another’s perspective, and to embrace the possibility of growth and change within the relationship. Similarly, in the professional realm, the Set Aside Prayer can foster a spirit of openness to feedback, new ideas, and different approaches. It can help individuals overcome entrenched beliefs about their abilities and their limitations, allowing them to embrace new challenges with greater confidence and a willingness to learn.
Ultimately, the Set Aside Prayer’s value lies in its ability to cultivate a mindset of openness and humility, a mindset that can benefit individuals across various aspects of their lives. It reminds us that growth often requires a willingness to let go of our assumptions and embrace the possibilities that lie beyond our current understanding.
The Set Aside Prayer’s Impact
The Set Aside Prayer has had a profound impact on countless individuals seeking recovery and personal growth. Its simplicity and directness resonate with those struggling with addiction, offering a powerful tool for overcoming resistance to change and embracing a new way of life. The prayer’s emphasis on openness and humility fosters a sense of vulnerability, encouraging individuals to let go of their defenses and embrace a more authentic approach to their recovery journey.
For many, the Set Aside Prayer serves as a reminder that true healing and transformation require a willingness to question their own beliefs and assumptions. By setting aside their preconceived notions about themselves, their disease, the recovery process, and even their relationship with a Higher Power, individuals create space for new insights, experiences, and possibilities to emerge. This process of letting go and opening up can be transformative, fostering a sense of hope and renewal as individuals discover new strengths and perspectives they never knew they possessed.
The Set Aside Prayer’s enduring impact is a testament to its power to unlock potential for change and growth. Its message of humility, receptivity, and willingness to learn resonates with those seeking recovery from addiction and those embarking on any journey of personal transformation.
Criticism and Controversy
Despite its widespread popularity, the Set Aside Prayer has also attracted some criticism and controversy. Some argue that it promotes a passive acceptance of external authority, potentially undermining an individual’s agency and sense of self-reliance. Critics suggest that the prayer’s emphasis on relinquishing control could lead to dependence on a Higher Power or external guidance, hindering individuals from taking ownership of their recovery and growth. Others express concerns about the prayer’s potential to reinforce traditional religious beliefs, potentially alienating individuals who identify as agnostic or atheist.
The prayer’s focus on letting go of preconceived notions has also been interpreted by some as encouraging a blind acceptance of the 12-Step program’s teachings, potentially discouraging critical thinking and individual exploration of alternative approaches to recovery. This perspective suggests that the Set Aside Prayer could inadvertently limit individuals’ ability to question the program’s tenets and explore other recovery pathways that might better align with their unique circumstances and beliefs.
The Set Aside Prayer’s impact on individual beliefs and recovery journeys remains a subject of ongoing discussion and debate. While many find it a source of comfort, guidance, and transformation, others view it with caution, raising concerns about its potential to limit individual agency and critical thinking.
The Set Aside Prayer, despite its simplicity, serves as a powerful reminder within the Alcoholics Anonymous program and other 12-step fellowships. It encourages a state of open-mindedness and humility, essential for individuals seeking to overcome addiction and embrace a new path. By inviting individuals to relinquish preconceived notions and embrace new experiences, the prayer fosters a receptiveness to the program’s principles and the possibility of a transformative journey. Its impact extends beyond addiction recovery, resonating with those seeking personal growth and a fresh perspective on life’s challenges.
While the prayer’s focus on surrendering control might raise concerns for some, its core message of openness and humility remains invaluable. It encourages individuals to approach their recovery journey with a willingness to learn, adapt, and embrace the unknown, ultimately fostering a sense of hope and possibility. The Set Aside Prayer continues to be a vital part of the 12-step tradition, offering a potent reminder to approach life with an open mind and a willingness to embrace change.
The prayer’s enduring popularity speaks to its relevance and power. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of challenges, a willingness to let go of preconceived notions and embrace new possibilities can lead to profound personal growth and transformation.
