Each 24

AA few years back I was sponsoring a Chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps. The following is a cut & paste email that I sent to him. The reason for running it here is because he said that here found it very effective. (As do I and millions of recovered alkies as well as the co-founders of “Alcoholics Anonymous”) Here it is presented, unedited and exactly as it was sent to him. If its good enough for a USMC chaplain – it ought to be good enough for us!!

Message—–
From: Trudger57@aol.com [mailto:Trudger57@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 8:00 AM
To: dschwarzhoff@ft.newyorklife.com
Subject: (no subject)

Subject: (no subject)

This may be helpful to anyone following along who is just starting
out on this path. I keep a printed sheet of my night morning prayers
on my nightstand next to my bed so I don’t’ forget any of the prayers
which my Big Book tells me are part of this Program.

Maybe its it’s just me, but I WILL get lazy and complacent over time
and probably cut short these procedures unless I keep some prescription in
this manner. The following is exactly what I do each night and
morning in keeping up a healthy meditation and prayer life.

I believe this is how my Big Book tells me I should do this, but I do
not represent AA as a whole. These actions and prayers are not any
official part of this study, they are my own only, as I have
extrapolated from out Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

If I have left anything out, or if there is anything in this which
does not adhere precisely to the prayer portions of our Program of
recovery as outlined in the Big Book, then please ignore it. And
please correct me.

(But it is as exacting as I could get it)

EACH EVENING

I start with the 12 evening questions from P. 86 I try to be
constructive as much as possible. I try to look at the good I have
done during the day so I am not zeroing in on my objectionable traits
only. After all, God has made some changes in me.
1. Where was I resentful?
2. Where was I selfish?
3. Where was I dishonest?
4. Where was I afraid?
5. Do I owe an apology?
6. Have I kept something to myself, which should be discussed with
another person at once?
7. Where was I kind toward all?
8. Where was I Loving toward all?
9. What could I have done better?
10.Where was I thinking of myself most of the time?
11.Where was I thinking of what I could do for others?
12. Where was I thinking of what I could pack into the stream of life?

” Forgive me God for each of these areas where I have failed you and
fallen short of being able to be as effective as I could have been
for you. Forgive me and help me live Thy will better tomorrow by
showing me how to correct these errors. Guide me and direct me to do
better tomorrow. Remove my arrogance and my fear. Show me how to make
my relationships with my others right. Grant me the humility and
strength to do Thy will. Amen”

If I was resentful, dishonest, selfish, unkind, unloving, if I owe an
apology or if I have kept things to myself, I remember these for my
morning prayers so I can include these specifically and ask God for
help and improvement in these areas. If an answer comes to me, try to
remember it. (Some people do this as a written exercise, I personally
do not) When I say my morning prayers, I ask God for help in those
areas, if it is His will.

Now I spend 10-15 minute in meditation.

EACH MORNING
Upon awakening, prior to even rising out from bed, I take care of
these areas:

1) I think about the 24 hours ahead: I contemplate what I would like
to be and what God might want me to be.

2) I consider my plans for the day: I think about what God wants me
to do and how I am to live His will. I determine what my vision for
what God’s will is for me today. I already am remembering the amends
I’ve discovered from last night’s 10th step. I start out my day with
the making of these amends in my plan and I ask myself what else
would God want me to do today?

Now, I usually need to use the bathroom. I do so.

Upon returning I start these Big Book prayers. These are in addition
to my meditation, (Which many confuse with reading anything called “Meditation” and contemplative prayers) I keep my prayers & meditation as two very distinct activities.

“God I am yours to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Release me at long last God from the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties, especially the trouble I am having with ___________________that YOUR victory these may bear witness to those I would help of Love, Thy Power and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always! Remove my fears and direct my attention toward what you would have me be, not what I would have me be. Instead God give me whatever intuitive thought, and inspirations you require for me to have in order that I may know your will and receive the power you give to carry that out. Help me to have an intuitive thought or a
decision with regard to __________________ which I face today. Father, help me to not struggle with this. Help me to relax and take it easy instead. Help me know what I should do, keeping me mindful that You are running the show.

Direct my thinking today God, and keep it divorced from self-pity, dishonesty and self-seeking motives. Help me employ my mental faculties, that my thought-life may be placed on the
higher plane of inspiration and help me to pay attention throughout
the day to this vital sixth sense.”

“My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, both
good and bad. I ask that you now remove from me every single defect
of character, which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my
fellows. Grant me strength, God as I go out from here to do Thy
bidding. Show me today how to find Patience, Tolerance, Kindness and
Love in my heart, my mind and my soul and help me demonstrate these
to my family and to those about me.

Remove from me my selfishness, all dishonesty, resentment and fear.
Whichever of these crop up today God, help me to immediately share
these feelings with others and guide me toward making immediate
amends if need be, that I might live serenely with the people about
me.

Lord, help me to not think of myself, instead, help me think of
others and help me be loving and tolerant toward them. Father, keep
me spiritually fit today, by helping me to not fight with anything or
anyone — even alcohol. Show me what I can do today for the man who
is still sick.”

“My Father, help me live the twelve steps of my recovery life, the
twelve traditions of my Group and my family life and all the
principles of AA in my entire life. Remove from me my character
defects, specifically profanity, dishonesty, arrogance, false pride,
sarcasm, judgment of others and fear, especially God the fear of what
others think of and about me.

Watch over me, protect me and care for me. Give me the strength,
courage and faith I need to do Thy bidding. Keep me mindful of Thy
presence Lord and help me know you better and help keep my house in
order.

“God, should I find myself agitated, doubtful or indecisive today,
give me inspiration. Show me all through this day, what my next step is to be. Give
me the strength, faith and courage I need to take care of the
problems in my life today. I ask especially Lord, that you free me
from self-will and fear. Amen”

Then I spend 10-15 minute in meditation. I use a simple non-religious
non “Eastern” method, which I find non-hypnotic, and extremely
effective.

Peace and Love,

Danny S – RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com