"Lord make me a channel of thy peace -- that where there is hatred, I may bring love -- that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness -- that where there is discord, I may bring harmony -- that where there is error, I may bring truth -- that where there is doubt, I may bring faith -- that where there is despair, I may bring hope -- that where there are shadows, I may bring light -- that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted -- to understand, than to be understood -- to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life...
just thought I would share this again. hugs to you all. jj/sheila
Blessings JJ...this has been one of my almost dailies since about 1-2 years into recovery...I feared saying it at first because I wanted to stay away from people especially those I drank with and not be an instrument other than one of self...HP always has other plans. Mahalo ((((hugs))))
I agree. I have a copy by my bedside and would like to use it more in daily prayer. I memorized the third step prayer first, as my sponsor is a big fan of that one. It covers some the same idea, but not so thoroughly.
Wonderful prayer jj. Although not a christian, I find these prayers say the things I would like to say in a way so much better than I could write myself. There is a phrase in this prayer which takes a while to grasp. What do members believe "self forgetting" means?
Thanks jj , for me this prayer reminds me to keep out of the mind set of the self pittying drunk i was , look at the positive things i can do . Also how by surrendering my ego (self forgetting) to the higher power , the want of need for alcohol was "lifted" from me . As long as i remember to keep that ego in it's place , i hope and pray this new sober life continues .
For me self-forgetting is welcoming and growing connection. Always seeing that I am a part of, never as a solo unit in the unviverse. The whole prayer is about doing and praying for that which is out side of just me. I love the paradox and all the many in AA principles where this is exactly how I get what the "I" needs, by reaching away from self-focus. Ex. to get from giving.
Hey Mike H, ... To me 'self-forgetting' means to always put others first ... When I do that, I always seem to have everything I need without asking for it ...
When we seek to help others as a priority, then we reap what we sow ... Christian or not, the wisdom taught in the Bible is unquestionable ... and in the BB of AA the wisdom of the Bible shines through ...
Love Ya, and God Bless,
Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
so good to read your posts. self forgetting is the opposite of being an active alcoholic.... me and my buzz always came first. if i could not do "it" with a drink in my hand (or in reach close by) i did not do it. what a relief to be free of that bond. now to work on my emotional sobriety and my spiritual growth. i am living the life i was meant to live, now. thank you for being in MIP, your experience, strength, and hope are so helpful. jj/sheila
