Scriptural Evaluation of the Third Step Prayer

The Third Step Prayer

from page 63 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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!

I cannot emphasize this stunning yet disturbing reality for every human being: we have nothing to offer to God. In fact, we have a debt based on our sin, which has made us dead in our trespasses (Ephesians 2: 1)

The Big Book would impress upon its hapless adherents that they have some sense of direction within themselves that they can offer to "God as they  understand Him."

When I was first introduced to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, members with more time would tell me to say this prayer every morning.

Yet  Jesus told His listeners not to issue forth repetitive prayers:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

"Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." (Matthew 6: 7-8)

Repeating a prayer is an empty work, when God the Father is calling all of His human creatures into a fellowship, into one family, that we all become children of God (John 1: 12; 1 John 3: 1)

To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.

No passage seemed to create more conflict for me than the empty notion of a God who would "do with me" whatever He wanted. How was He going to do this, exactly?

Scripture provides a thorough and far more blessed avenue by which God works in us:

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 13)

How does He lead us? By His peace in us:

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3: 15)

and

"Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." (1 Peter 3: 11) 

This peace is accorded to every believer, along with perfect, righteous standing and His joy,  through the Holy Spirit:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

We are  more than imputed with direction, more than filled with leading, we are completely refashioned in God!:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

and

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

and

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)

We identify with God as His children through the Firstborn, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1: 18)

We do not need to ponder what God's will is for our lives for His Holy Spirit guides us (Galatians 5: 16) by His peace in us!

Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.

Alcoholics Anonymous is obsessed with "Self" -- we have received a better identity through Christ:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8: 15-17)

Instead of ignoring or suppressing "Self", we are called to rejoice in Jesus Christ, in whom we have received the adoption of sonship:

" [God] predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." (Ephesians 1: 5)

The "Third Step" prayer is an empty exercise, one which promotes a "higher power" who imparts no power, but instead merely tantalizes members of Alcoholics Anonymous with an appearance, an inference of "Someone" else taking charge of our lives.