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At the center of Recovery is humility, and there is no Step that illustrates that more than Step 7. Step 7 of Alcoholics Anonymous invites us to "humbly ask God, or our Higher Power, to remove our shortcomings; those character defects that prevent us from living freely and fully." It is about making space to let go of our patterns, abandon who we were, and that it is humanly possible to stop or change when we seek help that is beyond ourselves. Asking our Higher Power offers the 7th Step Prayer, a simple but powerful way to practice the act of surrender, and reminds us we do not have to act alone when asking for strength, direction, and assistance. We set ourselves up for genuine spiritual growth. This article will specifically examine the 7th Step Prayer by reviewing the prayer in its original wording from the AA Big Book, exploring how it works in daily Recovery life, and examining how the 7th Step Prayer pairs with the 3rd Step Prayer for long-lasting change.
In the 12-Step structure of Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 7 marks an important shift from self-awareness to action. After identifying character defects through Steps 4, 5, and 6, Step 7 asks us to humbly seek help in letting them go. The direct wording of Step 7 reads: "Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings." At its core, Step 7 is about humbly asking a Higher Power to remove our character defects. It is not about fixing ourselves through willpower. It is about recognizing our limitations and asking for the help we need. This level of humility is essential for real spiritual growth and lasting recovery.
By reaching this point, we begin to understand that surrender is not weakness but a source of strength. We stop trying to manage our flaws alone and open ourselves to deeper change. Step 7 helps break the cycle of self-will, pride, and isolation that often fueled addiction in the first place. Step 7 also builds naturally on the groundwork laid by earlier steps. After the fearless inventory of Step 4, the honesty of Step 5, and the willingness of Step 6, Step 7 moves us into a new space of trust, asking for the grace to grow. The seventh step is not about achieving perfection. It is about progress, humility, and the belief that real change is possible when we are willing to ask for help. The heart of this humility is captured beautifully in the 7th Step Prayer found in AA’s Big Book.
The 7th Step Prayer is a simple but deeply powerful prayer found in Alcoholics Anonymous literature. It appears in Chapter 6, Into Action, on page 76 of the AA Big Book. This prayer puts into words the heart of Step 7: asking for help to remove our character defects and to live according to spiritual principles.
The 7th Step Prayer reads: "My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen."
This prayer captures several important ideas:
The 7th Step Prayer Big Book passage reminds us that recovery is not only about personal healing but also about becoming useful to others. It reflects a spirit of humility, trust, and readiness for true spiritual growth. Now that we know the words of the 7th Step Prayer, how can we bring its spirit into our daily lives?
Applying Step 7 is not a one-time project we can put behind us. It’s a daily call to embrace the act of humility, trust, and to prepare for growth. Many people in Step 7 AA recovery utilize the 7th Step Prayer every day as part of their spiritual practice. Some say it quietly to themselves before they get out of bed, while others write it out and add it to their meditation or journaling practice. Others turn to the 7th Step Prayer in moments of struggle, when they feel old character defects like pride, fear, or resentment creeping back in. A simple moment of prayer can help recentre the mind and heart, asking for strength and guidance to move forward differently.
Using the 7th Step Prayer daily reminds us that humility is not a destination but a practice. Each time we ask for help and remain open to change, we grow a little stronger in our recovery. Over time, these small acts of surrender shape a life built on faith, honesty, and true spiritual progress. Step Seven teaches that transformation happens through consistency, not by force. Every prayer, every honest moment, and every effort to stay humble helps nurture lasting change. Step 7 also has a natural connection with another powerful prayer used in recovery: the 3rd Step Prayer.
In recovery, many people find that the 3rd and 7th Step Prayers form a powerful foundation for daily spiritual growth. While each prayer focuses on a different part of the journey, together they create a rhythm of willingness, surrender, and ongoing transformation.
It invites us to turn our will and our lives over to the care of a Higher Power. It marks the beginning of real trust, the decision to stop trying to control everything and to seek guidance instead. Learn about the 3rd step prayer here
After working through personal inventories and identifying character defects, the 7th Step invites us to ask for the grace to change. It is a deeper surrender, where we humbly request help in letting go of old patterns that no longer serve us.
Together, the 3rd step and 7th step prayers represent:
Many people see the 3rd step prayer and the 7th step prayer combination as a matched pair that frames the ongoing work of recovery. Using both prayers regularly can offer balance: trust to take the first steps and humility to continue evolving. If you would like to learn more about the 3rd Step Prayer, check out our full guide: The 3rd Step Prayer: Letting Go and Turning It Over. For those who want a daily reminder, we have created a free downloadable version of the 7th Step Prayer.
To help you keep the spirit of Step 7 close, we have created a free 7th Step Prayer PDF. You can save it to your phone, print it for your journal, or keep it somewhere visible for your morning reflections. Having the prayer nearby can serve as a gentle reminder to stay humble, ask for help, and trust the process each day. Many people find that regularly reading the 7th Step Prayer strengthens their commitment to growth and helps them stay connected to the principles of recovery.
You can download the 7th Step Prayer PDF here. Carrying the words with you is a powerful start, but living Step 7 daily brings even deeper transformation.
Step 7 is more than a single moment of surrender. It is a lifelong process of deepening humility, staying open to change, and trusting a Higher Power every day. As we continue practicing Step 7, two important ideas can guide our growth:
Humility is not something we achieve once and then move past. It is a daily practice, a mindset that deepens over time as we continue walking the path of recovery. Step 7 of Alcoholics Anonymous teaches us that real change does not occur through willpower, but instead through a continuous willingness to ask for help and trust in something greater than ourselves. Step 7 of Alcoholics Anonymous is a reminder that we are not our shortcomings and the basis of our healing. Our shortcomings are opportunities to grow, surrender, and create a stronger spiritual foundation. Every day we are willing to let go of the old way of living, we expose ourselves to a new way of living - one that is guided by faith, service, and gratitude.
It is important to remember that what Step 7 is about is not reaching perfection. It is about being willing to grow, to keep asking for guidance, and to believe that transformation is possible with the support of a Higher Power. Working Step 7 does not end with a single prayer. It continues through daily actions, small choices, and quiet moments of surrender. No matter where you are in your recovery journey, practicing humility can lead to a deeper sense of freedom and purpose. Every sincere step forward brings strength, healing, and hope.
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