The Third Step Prayer is one of the foundational spiritual practices within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It corresponds to Step 3 of the Twelve Steps:
Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
This step marks a deep spiritual surrender — the moment when a person moves from self-will, fear, and isolation into trust, willingness, and divine guidance. The Third Step Prayer expresses the heart of this decision: letting go of control and allowing a Higher Power to direct one’s life.
Although rooted in AA, the Step 3 principle is embraced across many recovery programs including NA, CA, Al-Anon, and various interfaith or secular adaptations. Its themes of surrender, trust, and spiritual awakening translate across all recovery paths.
The Third Step Prayer (Original Version)
“God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life.
May I do Thy will always.”
Credit: Lifted from page 63 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
Origins of the Third Step Prayer
The Third Step Prayer appears in the early chapters of the AA Big Book, written in the 1930s. Its tone and structure were influenced by:
The Oxford Group, whose practices included surrender, guidance, and moral re-alignment
Christian devotional traditions, especially those emphasizing surrender and trust
Bill W.’s personal spiritual experiences, particularly his realization that self-will alone cannot create lasting sobriety
The prayer was crafted to express:
A decision to surrender
Release from self-centeredness
Willingness to follow God’s direction
A desire to help others by living spiritually
The Meaning of Step 3
Step 3 represents a profound turning point in recovery. It contains several key ideas:
i). Surrender
Step 3 is not about giving up; it is about giving over — releasing the burden of self-control and trusting something greater.
ii). Letting Go of Self-Will
AA teaches that self-will, pride, fear, and control often lead to destruction. Step 3 invites:
openness
willingness
cooperation with spiritual principles
iii). Trust
This step asks the individual to trust the process, trust their Higher Power, and allow themselves to be guided.
iv). Service & Purpose
Just like Step 7, Step 3 is not for self-improvement alone.
Its goal is to become more useful, loving, and available to others.
The Structure of the Third Step Prayer
The original Third Step Prayer contains three major movements:
Offering oneself to a Higher Power
(“God, I offer myself to Thee…”)Requesting freedom from self-centeredness
(“Relieve me of the bondage of self…”)Seeking guidance and strength to serve others
(“Take away my difficulties…that I may do Thy will.”)
These themes are preserved in many paraphrased and public-domain versions.
Well-Known Paraphrases and Public-Domain Versions of the Third Step Prayer
Since the original Third Step Prayer is copyrighted, many recovery communities use powerful paraphrases that reflect its meaning without quoting it directly. Below are several faithful, public-domain versions.
Classic Paraphrased Version (Closest to Big Book Intent)
Higher Power, I place my life and my will in Your care today.
Free me from self-centeredness so that I may better follow Your direction.
Remove the obstacles that keep me from being helpful to others.
Guide my actions so I may live according to spiritual principles.
Universal / Interfaith Version
Source of Love and Wisdom,
I turn my life over to Your care.
Help me release fear, ego, and control.
Clear the path ahead so I may live with purpose, compassion, and alignment.
Secular / Humanist Version
I choose to let go of trying to control everything myself.
Give me clarity to see what is right and courage to act with integrity.
Help me move beyond self-centered behaviors so I can live a meaningful, helpful life.
Recovery Community Version (Fully Public-Domain)
Spirit of recovery, I offer my will and my life to a greater purpose.
Help me let go of ego and fear.
Show me how to be useful, willing, and open-hearted today.
“Surrender & Direction” Version
I surrender my will and ask for guidance.
Release me from the patterns that keep me stuck.
Lead me toward love, service, and spiritual clarity.
Morning Practice Version
Today, I choose to trust a Power greater than myself.
Help me walk free from ego and fear.
Guide me in everything I think, say, and do.
“Letting Go of Control” Version
I let go of my attempt to run life on my own terms.
Grant me willingness to follow a better way.
Strengthen me so I may show up with love and usefulness.
How Do I Use the Third Step Prayer in My Daily Life?
1. Morning Surrender
Many people begin each day with Step 3 to set a tone of willingness.
2. When Feeling Fear or Resistance
Step 3 is a powerful tool for calming anxiety and releasing control.
3. During Meditation
Some recite it slowly while breathing deeply to cultivate peace and openness.
4. Before Making Big Decisions
Repeating Step 3 helps shift from impulsive self-will to spiritual direction.
5. As a Reminder in Difficult Moments
It can be repeated silently anytime the ego tries to take over.
Themes of the Third Step Prayer
Surrender: Letting go of control
Trust: Believing in a guidance greater than oneself
Willingness: Opening the heart to an entirely new way of life
Freedom: Being released from ego-driven behaviors
Purpose & Service: Becoming useful to others
Alignment: Living according to spiritual principles rather than fear
Why Step 3 Is Essential in Recovery
Step 3 creates the foundation for all spiritual growth:
Ego begins to loosen
Fear loses its grip
Direction becomes clearer
Life becomes less chaotic
Relationships begin to heal
Recovery deepens at a heart level
It is one of the most transformative decisions a person can make — not a one-time event, but a lifelong spiritual practice.
Conclusion
The Third Step Prayer is a profound act of surrender, trust, and willingness. It helps millions in recovery release self-will, embrace spiritual direction, and live with purpose and compassion. It is a cornerstone of healing, clarity, and meaningful change.