Prayer to Invite, Not to Persuade
He realized that by only praying for God’s will, God revealed his will and answered his past prayers for sobriety.
I Had Only Three Options
A Journal of 90 Meetings in 90 Days. Luc D. traveled to Nashville in 2009 to attend 90 in-person meetings in 90 days in a desperate attempt to save his life after a relapse binge. He kept a journal during this time and shared it with other members. Below and in the following editions, ESSAY will be sharing parts of his journal.
Thoughts Produce Feelings
He practices trusting truth from an infinite and caring God rather than trusting in finite, lying fears.
Crosstalk
This member shares how following the “no crosstalk” guidelines fosters real respect for all the members in the meeting.
Meditation At The Heart
A powerful practice that prevents him from reverting to his past ways. Today everything felt serendipitous. I met a couple who were splendiferous. Ladyewell, near Preston, a Holy Shrine. I met a couple who gladdened my mind.
What Keeps Me Sober?
A letter of experience, strength, and hope to encourage the Fellowship. Dear friends, There is a strong message that was recently shared in our West African SA fellowship.
From Being Thanked to Giving Thanks
Recovery radically changed how he celebrates Father’s Day. I used to think Father’s Day was about waiting for my children to shower me with drawings, or words that would make me feel like a good father. I thought it was a day to sit back and receive—to be told that all my sacrifices were noticed, my sleepless nights appreciated, my worrying understood.
The Prayer of Divine Remembrance
This tool helps him to release the past. There are moments in life when the past will not let go. I’ve started the path of recovery, made amends where I could, committed to change, and yet — the memories remain. The images return. The shame lingers. While I’ve begun to move forward on the outside, my mind is still caught in the painful echoes of what I've done. This is where the Prayer of Divine Remembrance comes in.
The Power of the Lust Hit
Surrendering Lust helped him to surrender the shame that came with it. Yesterday, I started the day in the usual way with prayers and readings—I thank God for that. I then went to do some errands. About mid-morning, there was a lust hit. I knew the danger, and I acted swiftly. I averted my eyes, got out of the situation, surrendered the look, and prayed. I acknowledged my powerlessness. The lust look is a weakness—it always has been.
Remembering the Isms
Sharing the wisdom of David M. to help us let go, grow, and remember. Maynardism: The opposite of love is indifference. When one is angry or critical of another, that is not indifference. That is an expression of caring. Learning to accept caring in the form of judgment is important, though rarely pleasant.
