I wrote this prayer to help me when I’m working with others; it’s adapted from chapter seven of Alcoholics Anonymous.
John M., Tennessee, USA

God,
Help me to remember that that man is very ill, not to push or prod him, not to chase him or force myself upon him,
not to place him under any obligation or pressure or insistence, and not to exhibit any passion for crusade or reform.
Help me to stop fighting everything and everybody.
Enable me to make it clear to him that he does not have to agree with my conception of You, to encourage him to follow his own conscience,
and to stress the spiritual in everyday language without instructing in religion.
Enable me to never talk down to him from any moral or spiritual hilltop; allow me to simply lay out the kit of spiritual tools for his inspection.
And grant me the grace
to share my experience in a spirit of friendship and fellowship, to give him practical advice on the Twelve Steps,
and to walk day by day with him on the path of spiritual progress.
Amen.