Non 12-Step Prayers

People have been using prayer throughout the ages to find peace in their life. The prayers below are a collection on prayers which may help you in your time of need. Please feel free to download a PDF version of the Non 12 Step Prayers.

Prayer for Peace

Father God, my heart is filled with chaos and confusion. I feel as if I am drowning in my circumstances and my heart is filled with fear and confusion. I really need the strength and peace that only You can give. Right now, I choose to rest in You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Prayer for the Broken-Hearted

Lord, my heart is broken but You are near. My spirit is crushed, but You are my rescuer. Your Word is my hope. It revives me and comforts me in especially now. My soul faints, but you are the breath of life within me. You are my help, the One who sustains me. I am weak but You are strong. You bless those who mourn, and I trust You to bless me and my family with all that we need. You will rescue me from this dark cloud of despair because You delight in me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer for Perseverance

Holy Lord, Thank You for grace. Please help me move beyond the hurdles that trip me up and give me the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope I run toward in Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer for Self Control

Father, today I ask forgiveness of all the negative and harmful words I have spoken about myself. I do not want to abuse myself in such a way again. Transform my thoughts and let me understand how marvelously you made me. Change my habits so I use my tongue to speak hope and favor upon my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer for Loving Like Jesus

Father, I have to thank You for looking beyond my faults and for loving me unconditionally. Forgive me when I fail to love others in the same way. Give me eyes to see the needs of the difficult people in my life, and show me how to meet those needs in a way that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Prayer for God’s Direction

Lord, help me not to lean on my own understanding but in everything acknowledge You so that You can direct my words, thoughts and actions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Prayer For Worry

Father, I am tempted to worry about so many things. Our world is a mess! Forgive me for focusing on anything or anyone but You. Thank You for the Bible that equips and empowers me to live each day. Right now, I declare that You are my only Hope. Please help me remember that You really are in control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Prayer for God’s Strength

Lord, thank you for your greatness. Thank you that when I am weak, you are strong. Lord, the Devil is scheming and I know he desires to keep me from spending time with you. Don’t let him win! Give me a measure of your strength so that I might not give into discouragement, deception and doubt! Help me honor you in all my ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Prayer When Feeling Inadequate

Dear Lord, Thank You for fearfully and wonderfully creating each of us. Thank You for giving us worth in Your eyes. Help us live as the one You uniquely intended us to be. Help us abide instead of strive, living peacefully and joyfully as heirs to Your Kingdom and co-heirs with Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer for Being Grateful

Father, I am so sorry for the way I complain about my circumstances. Please forgive me for my bad attitude when things don't go my way. I want to see Your hand in every part of every day - good or bad. Help me learn how to face every storm with confidence, knowing that You really are in control even though I cannot hear Your voice or see Your hand at work. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 Prayer of God’s Provision

Dear Father God, Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, Your blessings, and goodness. Thank You for Your faithfulness to guide me and see me through times of uncertainty, for lifting me up, and setting me on high. Thank You for Scripture that comforts and reminds me of Your promises, plan, and provision. Thank you for taking away my fears and worries, the what-ifs, and reminding me that my help comes from You. Help me be a good steward and to sow wisely. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

 Short Prayer for Thankfulness

God, sometimes life gets me down and I find it hard to see things to be thankful for. Open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve given me in my life. I’m going to start by thanking you for loving me enough to come to earth and die so we can live together forever. Amen.

 Prayer for Restored Relationships

Father God, open my eyes to see the ways I’m like Cain. What conflicts am I allowing to brew in my family? What anger is bubbling into murderous rage in my relationships? Thank You for the clarity to see how hatred kills relationships. I choose instead the way of love. Love protects. Help me to protect those I love by loving them. Your way is always best, Father. I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Prayer for Hope and Trust

Father, sometimes it does feel that you have left us in the battle. We know that you are with us, but so are our feelings of aloneness. The Enemy seems to be taking ground. Our crying out to you seems to go unanswered. We know you are at work, but help us trust you in the midst of our questions. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Prayer for Confidence

Lord, help me let go of my fear of failure. I know Satan wants to use my fears to hold me back from living boldly for You. Forgive me for not living in faith, and help me from this moment on to live with bold confidence in You. Lord, help me not compare myself to others around me. I pray instead that I can keep my eye on You and live a life that proclaims Your excellence. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

 Prayer for Growing

Dear Lord, help me - every single morning - to find faith in the midst of the chaos. Give me the desire and ability to see You, hear You, talk to You, and give thanks to You. And as I do, I pray that I will draw nearer and nearer to You, and that my faith will multiply exponentially as I understand in new, deeper ways that You are everything I ever hoped You would be. And so much more. Amen.

 Prayer of God’s Provision

Dear Father God, Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, Your blessings, and goodness. Thank You for Your faithfulness to guide me and see me through times of uncertainty, for lifting me up, and setting me on high. Thank You for Scripture that comforts and reminds me of Your promises, plan, and provision. Thank you for taking away my fears and worries, the what-ifs, and reminding me that my help comes from You. Help me be a good steward and to sow wisely. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

 Prayer for Being Grateful

Father, I am so sorry for the way I complain about my circumstances. Please forgive me for my bad attitude when things don't go my way. I want to see Your hand in every part of every day - good or bad. Help me learn how to face every storm with confidence, knowing that You really are in control even though I cannot hear Your voice or see Your hand at work. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer When Feeling Inadequate

Dear Lord, Thank You for fearfully and wonderfully creating each of us. Thank You for giving us worth in Your eyes. Help us live as the one You uniquely intended us to be. Help us abide instead of strive, living peacefully and joyfully as heirs to Your Kingdom and co-heirs with Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer for God’s Strength

Lord, thank you for your greatness. Thank you that when I am weak, you are strong. Lord, the Devil is scheming and I know he desires to keep me from spending time with you. Don’t let him win! Give me a measure of your strength so that I might not give into discouragement, deception and doubt! Help me honor you in all my ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer For Worry

Father, I am tempted to worry about so many things. Our world is a mess! Forgive me for focusing on anything or anyone but You. Thank You for the Bible that equips and empowers me to live each day. Right now, I declare that You are my only Hope. Please help me remember that You really are in control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

We hope you will find the non 12 step prayers on Recovery HQ useful to your recovery or spiritual practice.  Please feel free to contact us directly with any questions you may have.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our debts and we forgive
our debtors,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen.

--- Matthew 6:9-13

Twenty-Third Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff--they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

--- Psalms 23: 1-6

Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

--- St. Francis of Assisi

The Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

--- Anonymous

A Short Grace For Use Before Meals

O Lord, bless this food to our use,
and us to your service;
make us grateful for all your mercies,
and mindful of the needs of others. Amen.

-- with many variants, anonymous

Christ Be With Me

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Christ.
May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.

--- St. Patrick

A Table Blessing

God is great and God is Good,
And we thank God for our food;
By God's hand we must be fed,
Give us Lord, our daily bread. Amen.

--- Traditional

Children's Bedtime Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep:
May God guard me through the night
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen.

--- Traditional

The Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

There are many variants of the Jesus Prayer including, "Lord, have mercy,"
or just plain "Jesus, help!" Since variants of the Jesus prayer are included in the Roman Catholic Mass as well as many Protestant worship services, it has to be one of the top prayers in Christendom.

The Prayer of Jabez

Jabez called out to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that it will not hurt me." And God granted what he asked.
1Chronicles 4:10

Dear [Higher Power]…

Thank you for keeping me sober another day. I pray only for the knowledge of your will for me, and the power to carry that out. I pray that you keep me sober again tomorrow.

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And wisdom to know the difference.

Dear Lord of Mercy and Father of Comfort…

Dear [Lord], I ask you to turn this weakness into strength,
this suffering into compassion,
sorrow into joy,
and pain into comfort for others.
May I trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness,
even in the middle of this struggle.
Fill me with patience and joy in your presence as I breathe in your healing life.

James 1:12-15

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him.
Let no one say when he is tempted,
“I am being tempted by God,”
for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one.
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Eyes of Mercy

[Lord], look upon me with eyes of mercy.
May Your healing hand rest upon me,
may Your life-giving powers flow into every cell of my body
and into the depths of my soul,
cleansing, purifying, restoring me to wholeness and strength.

In the Comfort of your Love

In the comfort of your love, I lay before you
the memories that haunt me,
the anxieties that perplex me,
the despair that frightens me,
and my frustration at my inability to think clearly.
Help me to discover your forgiveness in my memories and know your peace in my distress.
Touch me, [O Lord], and fill me with your light and your hope.

Cleanse

I cleanse myself of all
selfishness, resentment, critical feelings for my fellow beings, self-condemnation,
and misinterpretation of my life experiences.
I bathe myself in generosity, appreciation, praise and gratitude for my fellow beings,
self-acceptance, and enlightened understanding of my life experiences.
– Lidia Frederico

I Believe

I know that the first step in all spiritual healing is to believe.
I believe!
I open my mind and heart believing in your infinite power and possibility.
I believe that healing is a dynamic and reachable experience,
a reality that can be experienced right now.
I maintain a patient and loving attitude,
for I believe that your healing activity is now at work in my mind and body.
I look forward, with joyful expectation, to the perfect wholeness
that you are now bringing into manifestation through me.
I believe in your constant expression of perfect good in and through me.
I rest in the certainty of your healing power.
I know that with you all things are possible.

Surrender

…I surrender to you my past, present, and future problems.
I ask You to take hold over every aspect of my life.
I surrender to You all my hurt, pain, worry, doubt, fear, and anxiety,
and I ask You to wash me clean.
I release everything into Your compassionate care.
Please speak to me clearly, [Lord].
Open my ears to hear Your voice.
Open my heart to commune with You more deeply.
I want to feel Your loving embrace.
Open the doors that need to be opened and close the doors that need to be closed.
Please set my feet upon the straight and narrow road that leads to everlasting life.

May I

May my heart be gentle
My mind still and open
My spirit unshackled
My awareness keen
My conscience clear
My nature giving
May I be a healing energy
May I be of benefit to all
May my life enrich others
May i know what matters
And live in harmony with nature.

Change Pain into Love

Dull the pain with Your love.
Blur the sharp edges by reminding me that from bad comes good.
Help me appreciate that after the sorrow, joy is sweeter.
I look forward to better times. I can endure anything with You by my side.

Strength by P.C. Cast

“Give me strength,
not to be better than my enemies,
but to defeat my greatest enemy, the doubts within myself.
Give me strength for a straight back and clear eyes,
so when life fades, as the setting sun, my spirit may come to you without shame.”

Please Give

Give me the patience to be compassionate and helpful toward others and myself,
and to know when it is best to remain quiet.
Give me the clarity to be grateful for all that I have,
and to realize when I have something to give to others.
Give me the capacity to love and forgive others,
especially the ones who have wronged me.
Give me the serenity to find happiness and peace in each day.

Bless Me

Please [Higher Power], bless me. Please forgive my sins and help me to be a better person.
Please infuse my mind, heart, body and soul with Your Divine Energy. Help my body to have only happy healthy cells and Your Divine Energy. Please help my mind to be healed and whole. Please help my bones, teeth and backbone to be dense, strong and solid; help my veins and artery interiors to be round, smooth, clean, clear and flexible.
Please continue to reveal to me the true nature of the Universe and my place in it.
Thank you for all of the wonderful things in my life, please keep them coming to me.

The Knots Prayer

Please untie the knots
that are in my mind, my heart, and my life.
Remove the have nots, the can nots, and the do nots that I have in my mind.
Erase the will nots, may nots, might nots that may find a home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots, would nots, and should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all,
I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart, and my life
all of the ‘am nots’
that I have allowed to hold me back
especially the thought
that I am not good enough.

Cleansing Prayer

I am now choosing to cleanse myself
and release any and all thought forms, beings, situations and energies that are no longer of service to my highest and greatest good…
across all planes of my existence, across all universes, and across all lifetimes.
I ask that all energies that are less than love be trasmuted for the highest good of all
and so it is.

Prayer for Sleep

[Goddess above, queen of the night] help me sleep in your healing light.
Restful sleep, come to me,
Relax my body and let my mind be free.
Grant me calm and peace tonight,
And let me wake in the [God’s] golden light.

The Recovery Prayer

“Today, I heal my body, my mind, my spirit, my life. Drugs are a part of my past; they are not part of my now, they are not part of my future. Today, I am clean. Today, I am clean and free.
Today, I am becoming strong one second at a time, on thought at a time, one action at a time. I am learning how to

We hope you will find the additional prayers on Recovery HQ useful to your recovery or spiritual practice.  Please feel free to contact us directly with any questions you may have.