The Alcoholics Anonymous Seventh Step Prayer is a powerful part of the 12-step program. It helps people who want to grow and heal from addiction. This step is more than just a few words. It is a moment of truth, a time to let go of pride, and a chance to seek real change. When someone reaches Step 7, they are ready to ask their higher power to take away the things inside them that hold them back. These may be bad habits, deep fears, or harmful ways of thinking.
This step is all about trust and surrender. It takes strength to admit your own flaws and even more strength to ask for help. The Seventh Step Prayer gives people a way to speak this truth. It’s not just said once. Many people repeat it daily as a way to stay grounded. The words are simple, but their meaning is deep. This step is not the end of the journey—it’s a turning point. From here, people walk with more spiritual guidance, inner peace, and hope.
Step 7 of AA: Ask a Higher Power to Remove Your Faults
In Step 7, you say, “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.” This is the heart of the Alcoholics Anonymous Seventh Step Prayer. You are now ready to grow, and that means letting go of your defects of character. These may be fear, selfishness, anger, or anything else that blocks your recovery. Many in the AA recovery community see this as one of the most important steps.
You’re not just hoping things will change. You’re asking a higher power to help you change. You’ve already looked at your flaws in Step 6. Now, you’re ready to release them. This is where spiritual surrender becomes real. It’s no longer about control—it’s about faith, courage, and growth.
What is the 7th Step Prayer?
The 7th Step Prayer is a short but meaningful prayer found in AA’s Big Book. It goes like this:
“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 is a form of spiritual guidance. It is about letting go and stepping into the unknown with faith. Each line shows deep truth. You ask for help. You give up control. And you ask to be made useful to you and my fellows. It is simple, but powerful.
This prayer can be said every day. Some say it in the morning. Others use it when they feel weak or unsure. It is a tool to remind you of your path and your purpose. It can keep you centered. It can keep you humble.
Understanding the Meaning of the 7th Step Prayer
This prayer line-by-line analysis shows how deep and personal the words really are. When you say “My Creator,” you recognize something bigger than yourself. It could be God, the universe, or simply the spirit of recovery. It doesn’t have to be religious. Many who are spiritual but not religious still find meaning in this prayer.
The next line is about willingness. You are ready to give your full self to the process—both the good and the bad. You’re not hiding your character flaws anymore. You trust that change can come. This act of modesty is a way of showing true growth.
Humbly Asked Him to Remove Our Shortcomings
This part of Step 7 talks about humility. To humbly ask means you understand you can’t do this alone. You have tried your way, and now you are ready for something different. You ask, not demand. You request, not control. It’s a soft, strong step.
To remove personal shortcomings means to give up what is hurting you. These may be fears, guilt, selfishness, or old beliefs. These things don’t go away all at once. But asking is the start. You admit they’re there. And you show you’re ready to let go.
Spiritual Surrender & Humility in Step 7
True spiritual surrender is hard. It means you stop fighting and start trusting. You stop running and start listening. In Step 7, you trust that your higher power knows what you need more than you do. This is where real healing starts.
Humility is not weakness. It’s not putting yourself down. It’s knowing your limits and asking for help. That is brave. That is honest. And it’s the only way to grow.
Removing Every Single Defect of Character
This line asks for the removal of every defect of character. It doesn’t mean becoming perfect. It means becoming willing to grow. You recognize the things inside you that block your happiness or success. You stop pretending they’re not there.
Here are common defects AA members mention:
| Defect of Character | Effect on Life |
|---|---|
| Anger | Hurts relationships |
| Fear | Blocks new experiences |
| Self-pity | Keeps you stuck in pain |
| Dishonesty | Breaks trust |
| Pride | Keeps help out |
This step helps clean the heart. Not to be perfect—but to be open.
Grant Me Strength, as I Go Out from Here
This final line is about action. “Grant me strength” means you know the journey is still ahead. You’re asking for energy, patience, and wisdom. The path isn’t easy, but it is worth it. You don’t want to stand still. You want to live with purpose.
“As I go out from here” means stepping back into daily life. You’re not hiding anymore. You’re ready to be useful to you and my fellows. You carry this prayer in your heart as you help others and yourself.
The 7th Step Prayer: A Guide to Peace and Humility
This prayer helps people find inner peace. It teaches that you don’t have to carry shame, anger, or fear anymore. When you trust your higher power, you gain peace. When you show humility, you find strength.
Saying this prayer every day can become a way to stay calm. It keeps you focused. It reminds you that healing is a journey. One day, one step, one prayer at a time.
Step 7 Prayer vs. Other AA Prayers (3rd & 11th Steps)
There are other prayers in the 12-step program, like the 3rd Step Prayer and 11th Step Prayer. Each has a different focus. The 3rd Step Prayer is about making a decision to turn your will over to your higher power. The 11th Step Prayer is about growing closer to your higher power through prayer and meditation.
Here is a quick comparison:
| Prayer Step | Focus |
| Step 3 | Willingness to let go of control |
| Step 7 | Removing personal shortcomings |
| Step 11 | Seeking spiritual guidance daily |
Each prayer supports a unique part of the journey. Step 7 is about spiritual surrender and change.
Using the Seventh Step Prayer in Daily Recovery
Many people use this prayer as part of their morning or evening routine. It helps them stay focused. It brings strength before hard days. It offers peace before sleep. Using this prayer in practical application in daily life keeps the step alive.
Some people write it in a journal. Others memorize it. Some even keep it on their wall. However you use it, the goal is the same—stay humble, stay open, and keep moving forward.
Why Step 7 Matters in Recovery
This step changes lives. Many people say it’s where the real healing starts. It is a shift from self-will to faith. From fear to trust. From shame to strength. The psychological benefits of this surrender are real. People begin to feel lighter. They start seeing the good in themselves.
It also builds trust. Trust in others. Trust in your higher power. And trust in yourself. That is powerful.
Can You Practice Step 7 Without Religious Belief?
Yes, you can. Many people in AA are spiritual but not religious. You don’t have to believe in God to say the prayer. You can see “My Creator” as life, nature, love, or even the spirit of AA.
This makes the adaptation for non-religious members simple. The key is honesty. You just need to believe that something greater than yourself can help. That is enough.
Real‑Life Examples & Reflections on the 7th Step
One man said he used to think he had to be perfect. But Step 7 showed him he just had to be willing. Another woman shared that when she finally said the 7th Step Prayer out loud, she cried. Not because she was sad—but because she felt free.
These personal stories/transformation remind us that change is possible. One step, one moment, one prayer at a time.
Downloadable 7th Step Prayer PDF
If you’d like a copy of the 7th Step Prayer, here’s a printable version. You can save it to your phone, print it for your journal, or carry it with you. Having it nearby can help you when you need a reminder of your strength and your path.
Conclusion: Living the 7th Step Daily
The conclusion of spiritual preparation is not a finish line. It’s the start of something real. Living Step 7 daily means showing up with courage. It means choosing growth. It means believing that healing is always possible. Keep walking. Keep praying. You are never alone.
Amen.
FAQs:
1. What does it mean to ask a higher power to remove my shortcomings?
It means admitting your flaws and sincerely asking a power greater than yourself to help you change and grow past them.
2. Do I have to believe in God to ask a higher power to remove my shortcomings?
No, you can define your higher power in any way that feels meaningful—spiritual, universal, or even the AA group itself.
3. Why is it important to ask a higher power instead of fixing my shortcomings myself?
Because it takes humility to recognize that some deep flaws require help beyond your own willpower and insight.
4. How do I know if my higher power is removing my shortcomings?
You may begin to notice changes in behavior, mindset, and emotional reactions over time as you stay honest and open.
5. What if I don’t feel anything when I ask my higher power for help?
That’s okay—growth can happen quietly. Keep asking with willingness, and the process will unfold in time.