To expand the knowledge and awareness of the "12 Steps" in order to:
* foster compassion toward the 12 step community in our midst
* help people transfer pain and fear of personal addictions and compulsions into health and hope
* deepen people's relationship to Jesus Christ through 12 Step spiritual practices
The Twelve Step Program used by AA is a spiritual practice using a series of practical tools on a daily basis to develop a connection with a Higher Power-God. It does not require any specific set of Christian beliefs, and yet provides a template to lead a God directed life in service to others. However, the tenets on which the steps are founded are entirely Christian. Twelve Step Programs are offering a psychological/spiritual program to millions of people struggling with addictions and compulsive behaviors. When people re-educate their minds to think differently, they find new ways to make life worthwhile. Sobriety/healing achieved through faith in God and mental re-education is a modern miracle. On this page we will seek the spiritual meaning of each of the twelve steps.
We admited we were powerless over ____- that our lives had become unmanageable.
The blank can be filled with anything that takes us from God. This can be alcohol, pills, food, work, online shopping, purchasing; sin - the effects of our separation from God and our powerlessness over the effects of our problems. Alcoholics Anonymous, the first group to use these 12 steps has helped millions of people all over the world surrender to God, and they no longer ingest alcohol. These same steps and principals of AA can help others, too. It is only when people admit their weaknesses and faults, and turn to a Higher Power, a compassionate and merciful God, with faith and hope, that that Power (God) can give them the strength that they need to find peace. For some, God is Good Orderly Direction, for others it is Jesus Christ. It must be outside of the ego-easing God out-self.
Admitting our powerlessness is an honest appraisal of our situation and a positive step toward wholeness. Surrendering is essential in order to recover. This comes with the honesty and acceptance of one's condition/problem; admitting we have a problem and that we cannot help ourselves. It is then that we can depend on the power of God and see that the glorious power within us must be from God and is not our own.
In the Bible we learn about surrender when the prodigal son decides to stop living a destructive life he chose for himself. His life became unmanageable as he lived it in a very self-centered way. (Luke 15:11-24) Also when Hagar recognized her helplessness and powerlessness over her situation with Sarai, her mistress, the angel of the Lord came and ministered to her. (Genesis 16:3-13) These are two examples of surrender exemplifying an admission of powerlessness over our dependencies or compulsions and the situation is unmanageable; both took the first step. When we cry out for help, God is ready to step in; just like the prodigal son's father was waiting for him with open arms; and we never have to do anything alone; we work the steps with God and others on a similar journey.
What has control over you? What are you powerless over? What keeps you from healthy relationships with other people? What behaviors make your life unmanageable? When you are frustrated what/whom do you turn to? What keeps you from depending on God?
Spend some time with God in prayer. If you discover any unwanted behavior, surrender to God and pray:
Dear Lord, I admit that I am powerless over my______. I admit that my life is unmanageable when I try to control it. Help me this day to understand the true meaning of powerlessness. Remove from me all denial of my behavior. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
As we continue on our journey, we see that the first step is to accept our powerlessness and the unmanageability of our lives so that we can accept that manageability and power must come from God. Step 2 says:
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Step one helped us admit our imperfections and powerlessness over _________ (whatever we put in the blank). Now as we put our trust in the one who made us, we no longer have to continue to exhibit unwarranted behaviors directed by our self-will and human resources. We can give God our mustard seed of faith, and trust that he can bring us back to wholeness. God, a power greater than ourselves is our lifeline. When our inner storms rage with anxieties and fears we no longer have to respond with obsessive behaviors because we believe God will change our circumstances and reactions.
Step two is a rallying point to sanity (soundness of mind) and is the Hope Step. We discover that help is available. Having true humility along with an open mind we are led to our faith. As we rightly relate ourselves to God, our faith grows and strengthens so we can accept that God is dependable and will never leave us. We just need to trust in God's power.
There are many heroes of faith mentioned in the Bible. In Hebrews 11: 1-10 we read that Abraham trusted God when he was told to leave his home and go far away to another land; Noah trusted and believed God even when he saw no sign of a flood; Sarah believed God's promise that she would have a child in her old age, and the people of Israel trusted God and walked right through the Red Sea. In Isaiah 41:10 we read,
...do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen and help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.As we too trust and depend on God for each aspect of our wholeness, we can be confident that such trust pleases God and will be rewarded with his powerful help. Relying on God will give us confidence and hope. If you are having trouble believing, simply ask God to help:
God, I pray for an open mind so I may come to believe in a Power greater than myself. I pray for humility and the continued opportunity to increase my faith. I don't want to be crazy any more.
On our journey thus far we have accepted our imperfections, "problem/s" - self will and the unmanageability of our lives. We then discovered that the solution to our "problem" is a power greater than ourselves - God, and our lives would become manageable when we put our trust in Him. This brings us to the step where we must make a decision. Step 3 says:
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
Step three is the central theme of all the steps and an important corner stone for building an effective and peaceful life. Here we stop playing God and decide to let God restore us to the image he created us to be. By learning to trust God and accept his support we will enhance the quality of our lives. We will no longer feel the need to carry our burdens by ourselves. We no longer have to be enslaved by our "problem." Step three is an affirmative step that provides us with an opportunity to turn away from behavior that fosters addiction discouragement, sickness and fear; God sets us free. With God's presence, we become willing to be re-made; to become a changed person and to follow God's guidance. Scripture affirms this...
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good spirit lead me on level ground." (Psalm 143:10-11)"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3)
Are you willing to give yourself back to your Maker in this life, right now? You may feel some relief when you decide to do this. Turning our lives over to God, however, isn't a one-time event, it must happen over and over. Willingness is the key. Thousands of people seeking to experience peace, serenity and fellowship with the Lord have walked this same path. Our task is to continually ask God for guidance.
In Revelations 3:20 Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat (fellowship) with him, and he with me." All we need to do is open the door of our hearts to Christ.
The following prayer can help our relationship with Christ and strengthen our daily walk. This is a prayer of surrender of our self and all our rights and belongings to God to do with as he pleases. Because God is smarter than us, and loves us more than we love ourselves, God will always do a better job running our lives than we can do for ourselves.
"God, I offer myself to Thee - to build me and do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do your 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."
Steps 1 thru 3 of the 12 Step process have taught us to accept our problems and imperfections, seek a new solution and decide to give our lives to that solution-God. The next step is our first action step; one which will lead us to happiness. Step 4 says:
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Just as any business would take inventory of its stock, so must we take inventory of our lives. The purpose of Step 4 is to sort through the confusion and the contradiction of our lives so that we can find out who we really are. We have started a new way of life and need to be rid of the burdens and traps that have controlled us and prevented our growth. Our denial caused us to live in a fantasy world where we pretended we were fine. We now need to reject denial and face reality. Step 4 is a fact-finding and fact-facing process. We are searching for "causes and conditions." We want to uncover the truth about ourselves. We want to discover the attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, fears, actions, behaviors, and the behavior patterns that have been blocking us, causing us problems and causing our failures. We want to learn the exact nature of our "character defects" and what causes us to do the unacceptable things we do. Once these destructive patterns are removed, we can acquire and live with new attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, actions and behaviors for our highest good, and for the highest good of those with whom we come in contact.
Step 4 prepares us to live a life of purpose where we can be in maximum fit condition to be of service to others. The Bible says, "Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord." (Lamentations 3:40). As we begin to honestly evaluate our patterns of life, we may find that our thinking has been distorted, so we need to rebuild ourselves with God as our builder and use the Bible as our blueprint. God loves us with perfect love and wants to restore us to wholeness. God will lead us through this process to make sure we are staying on target. King David wrote, "Search me, oh God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any wicked ways in me and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).
So with pen in hand we put our thoughts on paper. Staying honest and focused we accept whatever we discover, knowing that this discovery is merely another step toward a healthier life. We must be thorough to complete this step successfully, and with God's help and our personal courage, we can expect to receive limitless benefits.
Dear God, it is I who has made my life a mess. I have done it, but I cannot undo it. My mistakes are mine and I will begin a searching and fearless moral inventory. I will write down my wrongs, but I will also include that which is good. I pray for the strength to complete the task.
The next of the 12 Steps is a continuation of the "action steps,"
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs
Step 5 is our emergence. In this step, we honestly and prayerfully disclose everything from our written Fourth Step inventory to our "sponsor", a spiritual advisor or a trusted friend. God wants us to acknowledge our sins; so we can be free of them. In Christ we have the assurance that... "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).
With rigorous honesty admitting our faults out loud to another person is a humbling experience. It is only with a humble heart that we can find and receive God's Grace. Ask for God's help and guidance in finding a person to share your inventory with; someone who is sensitive, trustworthy, who prays with and for you, accepts you unconditionally. This person acts as a witness to eliminate any denial. He/she helps us to set aside our pride when revealing our hidden fears and regrets so the guilt and shame associated with our wrong doings are lifted. This process of acceptance brings us closer to God and we realize that he is always there for us. Our confession helps us to receive God's love and accept ourselves unconditionally. We remember that we are all children of God and will never be rejected. "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (Proverbs 28:13).
It is not only our faults that we share with our trusted friend. We also share our strengths and hopes. Thanking God for and celebrating the strength and character God has nurtured in us gives us a balanced view of ourselves. We may experience the beginnings of serenity for having the courage to risk self-disclosure and come into the light. We are beginning a process of living a life of humility, honesty and courage by taking ownership for our behavior. The result is freedom, happiness and serenity.
Lord, you know it is hard for me to face the fact that I have failed in so many ways. I'd like to appear perfect to myself and friends, but the fact is I am not perfect. My inventory has shown me who I am, yet I need your help in admitting my wrongs to another person and to You. Be with me throughout this step; guide me with my confession so I can progress in my healing and be whole. With your help, I can do this, and I will do it. Thank you for loving me enough to forgive me.
Having completed the first 5 steps, we are at a point where we confront the need to change our behaviors and attitudes that we addressed in steps 4 and 5. Step 6 states:
Were entirely ready to have God remove all of these defects of character
We begin to "work" Step six by being prepared to have God bring change into our lives. This step, another action step, gives us the opportunity to become ready to "let go and let God" do God's deepest work in our lives. "Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)
With God's help in Step 6 we again demonstrate courage, willingness, trust in God, and a few more assets that we have begun to develop - integrity, determination, consistency, and diligence. To be successful, we must be sorry for what we have done and have the honest desire to let God take us to better things through His grace. Since our past was dominated by self-will, we may find ourselves clinging to something we do not want to let go of. If that happens, we pray to God to help us be willing as we are now seeking God's will for us. As we move toward willingness, we must let go of our fears and remain secure in knowing that God is with us and with His guidance everything will be restored to us. When we place our trust in Jesus, we develop a sense of comfort; even the smallest beginning is acceptable to our Lord. Scripture says, if we have the faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing is impossible. So when we plant the seed of willingness we also need to protect its tiny sprouts of positive results from the weeds of self-will that can over run our new garden. We repeatedly apply Step 6 to all our character defects - without any reservation of mind or body whatsoever, becoming sensitive to the changes God is making in us.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)
Are you willing?
Dear God, I am ready for your help in removing from me the defects of character which I now realize are obstacles to my getting better and having a more productive life. Help me to continue being honest with myself and guide me toward spiritual well being.
At this point on our journey we realize that the only one who can truly meet our needs is God. We no longer have to rely on ourselves or others to solve our problems. During the first 6 steps we became aware of our problems, looked at our lives honestly, revealed our secrets and became ready to change. Our honesty and pain have humbled us to open our mouths and pray for the removal of our shortcomings; one defect at a time. If we are fearful, we again pray to feel the comfort of God's presence. We prepare for this step by holding nothing back and by learning to draw nearer to God; becoming more comfortable in His presence.
Using our 4th step inventory as a guide to prayer, we "work" step 7 -
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings
and surrender our will to God so that we may receive the serenity necessary to achieve the happiness we seek. Step 7 is a vitally important part of our cleansing process which prepares us for the next part of our journey. We trust that God hears us and will restore us to wholeness, and our willingness to accept God's help builds trust and confidence in ourselves and in God. When we ask humbly for God's help in our lives, the change is God's responsibility and we give thanks for all His grace.
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me". (Psalms 55:10-12)
Some behaviors may remain with us after we complete step 7, but we have an opportunity to transform them in positive traits and use them constructively. With God's help our lives can be rewarding. By continuing to practice humility and accept the tools God is giving us we begin to aspire to living a more Christ-like life, sharing with others the love we have received. We see that God is at work in our lives and that we too can be Christ-like in our humility and place our lives in God's hands submitting to his will and plan that he has for us.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
We now rely on our infinite God rather than our finite selves, and on our knees we pray "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 from here, to do your bidding. Amen."
Thus far, we have been dealing with our own issues. Step four was our moral inventory and in step five we admitted our wrongs. We have worked through our weaknesses and are ready for step 8.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed,
and became willing to make amends to them all.Now, as we continue to look at ourselves, we are also considering people who were harmed by our actions. We ask ourselves, "Who have I hurt?" Consider unpaid debts, foolish spending, broken promises, lies, neglect, abuse, selfishness. Our faults, flaws and failures are now in the hands of God, but we need to take full responsibility for all of the things we have done wrong and become willing to make things right.
With God's help and the willingness to be humble we recall the names of people we have harmed recognizing our part in the hurt done. Reviewing our 4th step inventory will help us realize who we have harmed. By examining our relationships with these people and taking ownership for our part, we will be able to improve our relationships. We will also be able to see how our character defects have played a part in sabotaging our lives and our relationships. Step 8 begins the process of healing damaged relationships through our willingness to make amends for past misdeeds.
As Christians we are taught the importance of having nurturing and loving relationships. Through Jesus' example we see how he devoted his ministry to loving people and encouraging them to love one another. Jesus taught that being reconciled to God requires reconciliation with others. In Ephesians 4:32 we read, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Once we have made our list of those we have harmed, we ask God for the willingness to make amends. Our willingness to make amends gives us an opportunity to love one another and experience how Christ lives in us. None of this is possible if we only rely on ourselves. God knows how we struggle. He awaits our honest cry for help.
For now we can pray.
Lord, I ask your help in making a list of all those I have harmed. I will take responsibility for my mistakes, and be forgiving to others as you are forgiving to me. Grant me the willingness to begin my restitution. Amen.
Working the 12 steps one step at a time requires faith, courage and tenacity to lay our past to rest so we can have hope for our future. Nothing is more essential in this process than making amends for hurts we have caused, and nothing is more difficult. We've already faced ourselves and now we will face others in order to seek forgiveness. Step 9 is an action step that will help us move forward.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible,
except when to do so would injure them or others.As we review our 8th step list of those we have harmed, we may find ourselves at the top of the list. It is time to forgive ourselves. God is always ready to forgive us, so we should not play God and refuse to set ourselves free from our own recrimination. Ask God for forgiveness, forgive yourself, and let go-now.
God is deeply concerned about human relationships. God wants us to reflect His love to others and to demonstrate our love to Him by caring about the people in our lives. Our relationship with God is only possible because of His forgiveness and just as God has removed all of the obstacles that lie between us and God, He empowers us to remove obstacles that lie between ourselves and others. We need to face the fears in our hearts and remember, "I can do everything through God who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). Scripture also says,
"If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)
Working step 9 involves personal contacts with those we have harmed. We approach each person on our 8th step list with gentleness, sensitivity and understanding. God can help us know the best way to make contact, providing us with the wisdom and the direction we need. Some people will require a face to face meeting to talk things over; other situations may be handled by changing our behavior.
Once we go through the process of making amends we must keep our minds and hearts open to anyone we may have overlooked. God will remind us of relationships that need attention. When these come to mind we should not delay going to those we have offended, seeking to repair the damage; using our prayer for the 9th step:
Dear Lord, I pray for the right attitude to make my amends, being ever mindful not to harm others in the process. I ask for your guidance in making indirect amends. I will also continue to make amends by helping others, aligning my will with Yours so I can continue to grow spiritually. Amen.
Continuing to rely on God's Holy Spirit and the inspiration of God's word, we begin Step 10, the maintenance part of the steps. We will learn how to sustain what we have already accomplished and become more confident as we proceed with joy along our spiritual journey. Step 10 states,
Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
We prepare for step 10 by setting aside a portion of our scheduled devotional or journal time. This could be during lunch or before bed; whatever the interval, the key is committing to take an inventory regularly; usually taking about 10 to 15 minutes.
In the Bible a letter written by a wise pastor says, "Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping fit. Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important." (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
During this spiritual exercise time, we consciously examine our daily conduct and confess our wrongs when necessary. We look at ourselves honestly, see our errors, promptly admit them and seek God's guidance in correcting them. By bringing our daily inventory into the presence of God, we are allowing God to change us from the inside out. We need to keep our eyes open and recognize things such as anger, dishonesty, denial, fear and control. Do not, however, be discouraged if you stumble over some old habits because our weaknesses have had a lifetime to develop. Thus, when monitoring our actions and reactions we must not judge ourselves harshly, but nurture ourselves emotionally and spiritually.
Daily practice of step 10 not only maintains honesty and humility and allows us to continue to develop, but also allows us to become more conscious of our strengths and weaknesses. We are more able to discover who we are, what we are and where we are going. We become more focused and prepared to live the Christian life we desire, one day at a time.
"Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Heavenly Father, I pray I may continue: to grow in understanding and effectiveness; to take daily spot check inventories of myself, to correct mistakes when I make them; to take responsibility for my actions; to be ever aware of my negative and self defeating attitudes and behaviors; to keep my willingness in check; to always remember I need Your help; to keep love and tolerance of others as my code; and to continue in daily prayer how I can best serve You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
Our relationship with God is our most important relationship, and this relationship is impossible without communication. Through prayer we talk to God and with meditation we listen. As we draw nearer to God, we draw closer to our source of power, serenity, guidance, and healing. Step 11 says:
Sought through prayer and meditation
to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him,
praying only for knowledge for His will for us and the power to carry that out.Along with step 10, step 11 is the tool that helps us communicate with God and trust God more fully. These 2 steps help us sustain the progress we have made in all of the previous steps. In the first 3 steps we established the foundation for dealing with any problem. In steps 4-9 we experienced a process similar to making long overdue major repairs to a car so that it will once again be in good running condition. We are now keeping ourselves "tuned up" by devoting time to do our regular service and maintenance. With the proper attitude and willingness, we begin to see that self-examination, meditation and prayer puts us in contact with our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. By making conscious contact with God through a daily regimen of prayer and meditation, we become more sensitive and responsive to God's guidance and will. By communicating with God, joy will infuse our friendships with others. Psalm 25:4-5 says, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
To develop a routine to work this step, seek times and places to invite God's presence and be available for Him. Find a quiet peaceful setting in which to be alone; pray, meditate and study scripture; listen carefully as God has messages for us; admit wrongs and make amends as needed; end this time by asking for knowledge of God's will for you and the power to carry that out.
Carrying out God's will for us can be challenging. In difficult times, look to Jesus, our example of faithfulness, who persevered through the most difficult challenges to be faithful to God's will. In Matthew 26:39 we read that Jesus fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Remember Jesus' struggles we can remember we are not alone. We can also pray as Jesus taught us ..."Your kingdom come, your will be done..." If we begin our day with that attitude, our lives will exemplify Step 11.
God, I pray to keep my connection with you open and clear from the confusion of daily life. Through my prayers and meditations, I ask especially for the freedom from self-will, rationalization and wishful thinking. I pray for the guidance of correct thought and positive action. Your will, God, not mine, be done. In Jesus' name I pray.
Step 12 is a time for noticing our growth. The "joy of living" is the theme of this step, and "action" is its key word. Through God's grace and our commitment to work the steps, we have had a life-changing spiritual experience. We began our journeys clinging to our own little kingdoms, but now we have a new king on the throne: God. Step 12 says:
Having had a spiritual experience as the result of this course of action,
we tried to carry this message to others,
and to practice these principles in all our affairs.Since we've made conscious contact with God, we have received the greatest gift of this program - a spiritual awakening. God is now guiding us in such a way that it is indeed miraculous. This life changing experience comes suddenly to some and gradually to others. However our spiritual awakening has come, in working step 12 we begin to take time appreciating the spiritual growth in our lives and sharing God's message of hope and healing, with others as we continue to practice the principles in every area of our life. Each person's experiences have been unique and personal, but we see that these experiences have pulled us together to show us our connection to God. We now have the capacity to live our lives as an expression of God's will. An example of this type of transformation is beautifully expressed in Titus 3:3-7
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
The founders of the 12 steps tell us; "Abandon yourself to God as you understand God (Steps 1-3). Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows (Steps 4-7). Clear away the wreckage of your past (Steps 8-9). Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge (which means "to walk with purpose and effort") the Road of Happy Destiny." (Steps10-12) "May God bless you and keep you - until then." So, our 12th step prayer is:
Dear God, my spiritual awakening continues to unfold and I am grateful for the opportunity to pass on the help that I have received. I pray most humbly to continue walking day by day on the road of spiritual progress with You. I pray for the inner strength and wisdom to practice the principles of this way of life in all I do and say. I need you, my friends and the program to live this better way to live. Amen.
1)
Alcoholics Anonymous (World Services)
2)
A Hunger for Healing by J. Keith Miller
3)
The 12 Step Prayer Book by Bill Pittman
4)
The Life Recovery Bible (Tyndale)
5)
The Twelve Steps for Christians - Based on Biblical Teachings by Friends in Recovery
6)
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (World Services)
7) "12 Steps to Serenity" (Time Well Spent; Recovery audio)
8)
The 12 steps as outlined in the AA Big Book online Chapter 5.