The Third Step Prayer: Full Text, Meaning and Page
The Third Step prayer is the prayer printed on page 63 of the Big Book (4th edition), at the end of the section on Step 3. It is how many people say their decision to turn their will and their life over to God’s care. Here it is in full, from the 1939 first edition.
The Third Step prayer (Big Book, p. 63)
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!
What each line means
“I offer myself to Thee.” This is the decision itself. Not “I offer my drinking,” but myself. It echoes Romans 12:1, the Bible verse the app pairs with Step 3.
“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.”
“To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.” You’re giving God permission to shape you, including in ways you might not pick for yourself.
“Relieve me of the bondage of self.” The book names self-centeredness as the root of the alcoholic’s trouble (p. 62). This line asks to be set loose from it. Notice it is a request. You can’t break this bondage alone any more than you could beat alcohol alone.
“That I may better do Thy will.” The point of being relieved isn’t comfort. It’s usefulness.
“Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness.” You’re asking for help with real problems, and for a reason bigger than yourself: so that someone else who is struggling can see what God did.
“Of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.” What your recovery is meant to point to. Not you. Him.
“May I do Thy will always!” A daily commitment, said with some enthusiasm.
A plain-language version
Some people find the old English hard to pray from the heart. Here is the same prayer in today’s words. It’s our paraphrase, not the book’s.
God, I give myself to you. Shape me and use me however you choose. Set me free from my self-centeredness so I can do what you want. Help me with my problems, so that when I get through them, the people I’m trying to help will see your power, your love and your way of living. Let me do what you want, always. Amen.
How to pray it
The book suggests praying it with someone you trust, not alone (p. 63). Good options are a sponsor, a pastor, or a friend in recovery. Many people kneel. Many say it out loud for the first time with their sponsor right after reading pp. 58–63 together.
After that first time, pray it every morning. Some keep a copy in their wallet or on their phone’s lock screen.
What comes after the prayer
The prayer is not the end of Step 3. It’s the hinge. The very next page of the book, p. 64, starts the inventory. The decision is real when it turns into action, so try to begin your Step 4 inventory the same week.
Something to do today
- Read pp. 58–63 aloud in your own copy.
- Pray the Third Step prayer, then call or text one person and ask if you can pray it with them this week.
- Write down one area of life you’ve been holding back from God. Pray the prayer with that in mind.
The Step 3 page covers the whole step, and the Step 3 questions help you get ready for the decision.
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