If you’re on a recovery journey and working the 12 Steps, you may have come across the 11th Step Prayer and wondered what it means—or why it matters so much to so many people in recovery.
For many, recovery isn’t just about physical sobriety; it’s about spiritual healing. The 11th Step Prayer offers a pathway to something deeper: connection with a higher power, clarity in your daily life, and peace that lasts longer than any substance.
Whether you’re in Alcoholics Anonymous, working another recovery program, or just starting to seek help, let’s explore how the 11th Step Prayer can help you slow down, reflect, and draw closer to healing.
Get Help Today
Help and healing are possible through our Christian rehab programs.
If you are ready to take the next step and learn more about how a Christian rehab center can aid in your recovery, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
What Is the 11th Step Prayer?
The 11th Step in Alcoholics Anonymous encourages us to:
“Seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”
In other words, Step 11 invites you to lean on your higher power—not yourself—as you heal.
The 11th Step Prayer, also known as the Saint Francis Prayer due to its attribution to Francis of Assisi, echoes this idea:
“Lord, make me a channel of thy peace—that where there is hatred, I may bring love; where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; where there is discord, I may bring harmony; where there is error, I may bring truth; where there is doubt, I may bring faith; where there is despair, I may bring hope; where there are shadows, I may bring light; where there is sadness, I may bring joy.”
This simple yet powerful step prayer shifts the focus from self will to surrender. It asks not for personal gain, but for the strength to serve others and to trust that God’s plan—thy way, not mine—leads to lasting peace.
How the 11th Step Prayer Guides Recovery
Conscious Contact: The 11th Step Prayer helps you focus on a Higher Power every day, not just when you’re struggling.
Letting Go of Control: Recovery means giving up the illusion that you can fix everything through sheer effort. This prayer centers your heart on surrender and “self forgetting”, not striving.
Service to Others: By asking to bring love, bring hope, and bring joy, you shift from focusing on your pain to offering healing to those around you.
Over time, this spiritual practice helps nurture a spiritual awakening, replacing addiction’s chaos with inner peace.
Using the 11th Step Prayer in Daily Life
Here are a few ways you can begin to incorporate this prayer, even without working the steps:
Start your mornings with the 11th step prayer, inviting our Heavenly Father to guide your thoughts and actions.
Reflect during your daily reflections or Scripture meditations on where you might bring truth, bring harmony, or sow love that day.
In moments of craving or overwhelm, pause to pray, asking for “thy power and thy love” to strengthen you.
This isn’t about wishful thinking—it’s about realignment. Prayer helps replace reactive choices with positive action, correct thought, and the right attitude.
How LINKS Incorporates the 12 Steps and the 11th Step Prayer
At LINKS, the Christian track at Northbound Treatment in Orange County, CA, we recognize that lasting recovery requires both clinical care and spiritual growth. We incorporate the 12 Steps—including the heart of Step 11—into our Christ-centered approach to healing.
LINKS offers:
Faith-based counseling alongside professional addiction treatment
Group prayer, reflection, and meditation
Focus on developing conscious contact with the higher power
A safe, supportive community where people rebuild their daily life on the foundation of spiritual and emotional health
At LINKS, we believe recovery isn’t just about abstinence—it’s about rediscovering your purpose and embracing the peace of Jesus Christ that the Bible talks about.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-7
A Prayer for Those in Recovery
“Lord Jesus Christ, make me a channel of thy peace. Where I have hurt, let me bring hope. Where I’ve taken, let me give. Replace my fear with thy power, my self-focus with service, and my cravings with trust in You. Amen.”
Healing Through Prayer, One Day at a Time
The 11th Step Prayer teaches us that recovery isn’t about fixing ourselves—it’s about surrendering to something greater and letting that higher power guide each step.
If you’re struggling to stay sober, feeling disconnected, or wondering where to turn, know this: you’re not alone, and hope is real.
Call LINKS today at (866) 434‑1330. Our team can help you move from survival to peace, from addiction to a life rooted in grace.
Recovery isn’t easy. But through prayer, community, and daily surrender, it’s possible.
Get Help Today
Help and healing are possible through our Christian rehab programs.
If you are ready to take the next step and learn more about how a Christian rehab center can aid in your recovery, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
FAQS About the 11th Step Prayer
What does it mean to seek the will of a higher power in Step 11?
Seeking the will of a higher power means asking for guidance beyond your own understanding. In the 11th Step Prayer, you’re encouraged to pray for knowledge of your higher power’s will—not your own plans—and the strength to carry it out. This shift from self-direction to surrender is key to spiritual growth and healing.
Can prayer help with mental health during recovery?
Yes. While professional care is essential, prayer and spiritual practices can support your mental health during recovery. The 11th Step Prayer helps calm racing thoughts, reduce anxiety, and build emotional resilience by reconnecting you to your higher power each day.
What does it mean to bear witness in recovery?
In the context of recovery, to bear witness means sharing your journey—both your struggles and your victories—with others. When you bear witness to God’s work in your life, you offer encouragement and hope to others walking the same path.
What does ‘thou wilt’ mean in the 11th Step Prayer?
The phrase “thou wilt” is an older way of saying “your will.” In the prayer, it’s a request for God to guide your actions according to His plan, not your own. It reflects the heart of surrender in recovery: trusting that your higher power’s way leads to healing.
What is a single defect, and how does it relate to Step 11?
A single defect refers to any personal flaw or harmful pattern—like resentment, fear, or pride—that blocks spiritual growth. While Steps 6 and 7 focus on removing character defects, Step 11 strengthens your connection to your higher power, helping you recognize and release each single defect as it arises in your daily life.
