Unconditional Surrender
(Based on the Akron 1935 Experience)

[Note: Different adjectives are used describing this kind of surrender: ‘absolute,’ ’unconditional,’ ‘complete,’ ‘real.’]

1. Have the person formulate their surrender in writing.
Ask them to write out what this means for them specifically. For example, “I surrender unconditionally to God and this group my right to seek out or look at ____________.”

Keep it simple.
As one participant observed, “This is an unanalytical ‘dumb’ surrender, made on a specific point, before God, in the presence and accountability of others.”

2. Get together.
Meet privately. The leader should state the ground rules and the session should open with prayer(s). Continue in an attitude of prayerfulness in the light of God’s presence. Allow an open-ended period of time. Those witnessing the surrender are encouraged to have the same willingness by asking themselves, “Where am I unsurrendered?”

3. Stress the requirement of absolute honesty.
Begin by insisting on honesty in the person’s responses. Tell them there is no ritual to follow here. And there should be no expectation on their part or ours of any special happening. They need not even complete their surrender. The only requirement is absolute honesty. Tell the surrenderer to take as much time as they want before answering each question. Stop the questioning at any stage where there’s any reservation. Let the person think about whether they’re really ready. Let them count the cost.

4. Make clear what this is not about.
Make sure the surrenderer knows that this is not to be some new self-willed commitment or attempt at stopping, but rather surrender to God out of absolute powerlessness, giving up to God the right to continue.

5. Ask the Questions.
The leader (and others involved) should suit the questions to the person’s specific situation. Feel free to ask other questions that may arise, examining the person’s surrender statement, powerlessness, sincerity, willingness, etc.

• What are you surrendering? State it specifically. (As the surrender is examined by those present, reformulating it may become necessary.)
• Are you powerless over this (whatever you have just confessed to)?
• In what way are you powerless?
• Are you powerless over the appearance of this? That is, do you have any control over whether you’ll be tempted again? (You will be tempted again! It’s okay to be tempted, but we can be free not to drink. You will be tested, and that will enlarge your need and desire for God.)
• Is there any chance you can control or limit this yourself? Why not?
• What has this defect cost you?
• Are you willing to stop? Why? Permanently? (The word “permanently” makes us think, as it should. Spend some time exploring this honestly in depth.)
• Do you want to stop now? Why?
• Will you make that specific surrender now? (The person then prays his surrender audibly in our presence, all on our knees.)

Here are some suggested follow-up questions, if and when the surrender is complete.

• Are you willing to go to any lengths to recover from this? How about quiet time?
• Are you willing to help and work with others?
• Are you willing to contact another when you are tempted?
• Are you willing to be called when another is tempted?
• Are you willing to ask God to keep you sober in the next temptation (for example from that next look-drink today)?
• Add other questions appropriate for the individual. (For example, Are you willing to ask God to keep you sober from all lust and sex in dreams?)
• Are you willing to see there may be another stage beyond this where the love of God will be leading you in deeper awareness, surrender, and victory?
• And finally, since “faith without action is dead,” are you willing to start making things right with others right now? What will that mean for you now, today?

6. Take time to stay together and be there for the person afterward.
How are they doing? Have they got clarity and direction? Where are they going from here? See how others present may also have been affected. Honestly assess what took place.

7. Pass it on.
Learn from each surrender experience and pass on helpful ideas.