Step 3 AA Prayer: Surrendering to God’s Will

Step 3 of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program represents a pivotal moment of surrender: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” Building on Step 1, which focuses on acknowledging powerlessness, and Step 2, which introduces faith in a Higher Power, Step 3 invites individuals to take a decisive action—entrusting their entire being to God’s care.

The Step 3 AA Prayer, inspired by the Serenity Prayer, becomes a daily affirmation of this surrender. It encourages a shift from self-reliance to divine reliance, creating a pathway to peace, purpose, and spiritual transformation.

The Serenity Prayer and Step 3

“God, grant me the wisdom to know the difference.”

This final line of the Serenity Prayer aligns with Step 3 by emphasizing discernment and trust. Surrendering to God’s will requires wisdom—the ability to let go of control over what we cannot manage and trust that God’s plan is better than our own.

By making a conscious decision to surrender, individuals invite God’s guidance into every aspect of their lives, creating space for healing and renewal.

Scriptural Connection:

• Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
• Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
• Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

A Step 3 AA Prayer for Surrender

Heavenly Father,

I come to You with an open heart, ready to surrender my will and my life into Your care. I trust that Your plan for me is good and that You will lead me in the way I should go.

Grant me the wisdom to release control, the courage to follow Your guidance, and the peace that comes from trusting in Your love. I ask for strength to let go of my fears and doubts, knowing that You are always with me. Transform my heart and renew my mind so that I may walk in alignment with Your will.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Practical Reflections and Activities

1. Daily Commitment: Begin each day by reciting the Step 3 AA Prayer, affirming your decision to surrender your will to God’s care.
2. Journaling Prompt: Write about areas of your life where you find it difficult to let go of control. Reflect on how surrendering these areas to God might bring peace and clarity.
3. Scripture Meditation: Meditate on Proverbs 3:5-6, allowing its truth to guide your thoughts and actions throughout the day.
4. Service to Others: Engage in acts of kindness or service, reminding yourself that living according to God’s will often involves loving and serving others.

Testimony: Freedom in Surrender

One individual shared their journey with Step 3: “When I decided to surrender my will to God, I felt an incredible weight lift. For so long, I had tried to control everything, but my life only grew more chaotic. Trusting God was scary at first, but it brought a peace I’d never known. Step 3 taught me that letting go isn’t losing—it’s gaining the freedom to live fully in God’s love.”

Encouragement for Step 3

Step 3 marks a transformative moment in recovery. By surrendering your will and your life to God, you embrace a deeper level of trust and openness to His guidance. The Step 3 AA Prayer becomes a cornerstone of this process, helping you align your actions and intentions with God’s purpose.

Building on the foundation of Step 1’s surrender and Step 2’s faith, Step 3 takes recovery to the next level. It invites you to live in partnership with a loving Higher Power who desires your healing and wholeness. Let go, trust fully, and step into the abundant life God has planned for you.

Next Step: Move forward to Step 4: Conducting a Moral Inventory. Discover how reflection and accountability pave the way for deeper healing and growth.