3rd Step Prayer: Free Printable PDF
The Third Step prayer is the prayer the book offers for the day you decide to turn your will and your life over to the care of God. It's on page 63 of Alcoholics Anonymous (fourth edition), and the words below are from the 1939 first edition.
Print it, put it where you'll see it in the morning, and keep a card in your wallet. Many people pray it with their sponsor the day they take the step, then again every morning.
Download free PDFFree. No email, no sign-up. A printable PDF, letter size: the prayer on one page, wallet cards on the next.
The Third Step prayer
God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!
Alcoholics Anonymous, 1939 first edition (p. 63 in the fourth edition)
What you're asking for
- “To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt”: you stop running the show and ask God to.
- “The bondage of self”: the book's name for the self-will that kept you drinking.
- “Victory over them may bear witness”: your recovery becomes a story that helps someone else.
- “May I do Thy will always”: not once, but every day. That's why many pray it each morning.
Wallet cards
- The Third Step prayer God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!
- “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
How to use it
- Read pages 60–63 of your own copy before you pray it the first time.
- Pray it out loud, ideally with your sponsor or another person you trust.
- Cut out a wallet card and pray it each morning before the day starts.
- Then start Step Four soon. The book goes straight from the prayer to the inventory.
Scripture to go with it
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
“…saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
The prayer is from the 1939 first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. Page numbers are from the fourth edition. Steps & Scripture is not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
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Common questions
Where is the Third Step prayer in the book?
It's on page 63 of Alcoholics Anonymous, fourth edition, at the end of the Step Three section of the chapter How It Works.
Is this the exact wording?
Yes. It's the 1939 first-edition wording. The current edition has the same prayer.
When should I pray it?
Many people pray it with their sponsor on the day they take Step Three, then every morning after. There's no wrong time to pray it.
Can I print copies for my group?
Yes. Print as many as you like and share them freely.
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