Speaking on panel and looking for some stirring conversation. I read some posts about "The Lord's Prayer" being said in meetings and loved the different views on that. So that's what I was gonna speak on a liitle, because I learned a bit from that. So any comments, reading, or suggestions will be appeciated. I think?
Hmmm. Personally I really don't like it. I'm not religious and my Higher Power is not a "god." I don't mind saying the serenity prayer along with everyone at meetings, because even though it uses the word "god" it isn't particularly religious otherwise, but the Lord's Prayer is. I also think that for newcomers, it makes AA seem more religion-centric than it actually is, which is a misconception many have to begin with.
Just to give a little bit of variety, I actually like the Lord's prayer a lot and I find it really encouraging in meetings. I actually am a believer and it reminds me that the 12 steps are rooted in the teachings of Christianity and I find that encouraging. Twelvesteps is correct that it's really the only overtly religious thing in AA.
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Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's.
When I chair meetings, I always end by saying "help me close this meeting with the Lords prayer, or a prayer of your choice." I always go for the prayer of my choice. I agree with GG...the God of organized religion has no place for me in my recovery. I was raised in a strict religious home, and formed a resentment against that God very early on. I'm grateful that AA taught me that I could find my own God. I was finally able to get rid of religion, and learn how to live life happy. I know there's something out there who has control of things, but I don't believe there were any books written about him.
But that's just me...YMMV
Brian
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Nothing ever truly dies. The universe wastes nothing. Everything is simply, transformed. :confuse:
I'm not a Christian. This prayer is bigger than Christianity and PERFECT for AA.
"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name (The Big It everywhere) Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (no matter where I am...Thy WILL not mine be done) Give us this day our daily bread (basic subsistence & sobriety is enough for a good day) and forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us (AS WE FORGIVE...the willingness of Steps 4 - 9) lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (good motto for ANYBODY) for Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever & ever (one last reminder of the humility needed for this program to work) Amen" ("You can open your eyes now.)
When this prayer is pushed out of my face I don't get hung up on the language. I feel the intent.
I have a very different view of things these days but I stayed away from AA for many years because of the "God" bit in step three. I didn't know much but I really didn't want to be preached to. Maybe things like the Lords Prayer would do the same.
Now it wouldn't bother me and I'd say it with feeling but I'm not sure that I would have been ready to hear it in my first couple of meetings. Sometimes it's hard enough to get people to walk in when they have that streak of stubbornness and a mixed up brain without giving them another reason not to try the program.
For a newcomer meeting I think it would be an AWFUL idea, however the OP said "Speaking at Panel" and where I am from Panels happen at "events" such as conventions, so the idea of having a panel on The Lords Prayer is a good idea, I have read a lot of good stuff about it being a "perfect" prayer, and the explanation why makes for interesting conversation and debate, Panels are like "electives" at school, we only attend the ones whose topics we find interesting, So while I am not a big fan of Christianity or The Lords Prayer, I might go to learn something, or I might attend the panel down the hall about AA and playing country music songs backwards to see if they know where my dog and my truck are
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it's not the change that's painful, it's the resistance to change that is painful
Our society has gotten really far from the idea that God is a presence in our everyday lives, and I think a lot of that is due to previous generations just being really lousy in communicating the beauty of the idea to their children. I think that's why so many people reflexively reject it while bringing up their childhoods as the reason.
As far as the prayer being bigger than Christianity, it actually comes right out of the mouth of the founder of Christianity, as recorded word-for word in the bible. The simplicity of it just makes easy to employ for more general situations.
Just expressing my view, I see Christianity as bigger than all the other things in the world combined. It is a great, great help to me.
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Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's.
The abbreviated version of the prayer that AA, since 1956, uses as "The Serenity Prayer" is an explicitly Christian prayer. Surprise! Here it is---hope those of you who think it's not "religious" keep saying it anyway.
The Complete Original Prayer for Serenity by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
