I don’t know of anyone who would not appreciate more power. Power is not always good. As I have stated in a previous publication, Lord Acton of England, back in 1887 stated “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” With this in mind, we are going to be discussing a power that tends to give rather than take. The same power would tend to build rather than destroy. So many people desire personal power. While this is not a bad thing, it doesn’t usually come with much trust. Trust is something that comes from outside of us. We don’t trust our own feelings or abilities as much as we rely on them. True trust comes from without. Prayer is one of those things that requires trust outside of us. Prayer starts within us but it is to some thing or someone outside of us. I am not suggesting who you pray to or how you pray to that person or entity. I am simply suggesting that there is power that comes directly from prayer. I believe that there is a spiritual source of power that we can tap into. We tap into that source through prayer.
On a very personal level, after my relapse in 1986, I approached my friend and mentor for help. His immediate response was for me to assume a position of prayer and recite the 3rd Step Prayer of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The prayer is as follows
“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!”
The most encouraging thing about this approach to prayer and its association with power is that it is to my betterment as a person rather than something tangible I might possess. If it were something tangible that I would possess it may be used for selfish or self-centered things. What this prayer is soliciting is an opportunity to be a better person by being freed from bondage to doing the will of a higher calling. I think this helps me become better because I am becoming better for others. If I have no power, then I want some. If I already have power, then I want more. It is not whether I have power that would corrupt, but rather the source and type of power. If I follow the path of the 3rd Step Prayer, I think it is safe to say I will not only have Power, but the type and scope of power is true Prayer Power.
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Robert Pardon
Robert is the Recovery Guy. Getting clean and sober on April 25, 1986 has given me the insight and practical skill set to not only stay sober, but to also re-invent myself to the person I always wanted to become. Showing others how to do this is my life goal.
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