“Prayer takes practice, and we should remind ourselves that skilled people were not born with their skills.”
– Basic Text, page 45
For many of us, prayer is a new and unfamiliar practice when we enter recovery. Whether we come from a background where prayer was routine or we had little to no experience with it, the idea of praying can feel awkward or intimidating. We may worry about finding the “right” words or wonder if we truly believe in what we’re saying. Yet, in recovery, prayer becomes an essential tool that helps us connect with a Higher Power, find guidance, and sustain our sobriety.
When we first begin to pray, we often don’t know what to say. This is a common experience for many people in recovery. Some of us remember prayers from our childhood but may feel disconnected from those words, while others have never prayed before and worry about “getting it right.” The important thing to remember is that prayer doesn’t have to be perfect or follow a specific formula—it simply has to come from the heart.
In the beginning, our prayers may be as simple as asking for help to stay clean each day. This small but sincere request can be the foundation of a powerful spiritual practice. As we continue to grow in recovery, our prayers might expand to include requests for guidance, courage, or clarity about God’s will for us. It doesn’t matter how polished our words are or how complex our prayers become. What matters is that we make the effort to reach out to our Higher Power.
Prayer in recovery is deeply personal and will evolve as we grow in our understanding of the Twelve Steps and our connection with a Higher Power. The way we pray is influenced by our experiences, our faith, and our individual understanding of spirituality. Some people may pray in a traditional way, using structured words, while others may approach prayer more conversationally, speaking to their Higher Power as they would to a trusted friend.
One of the beautiful aspects of prayer in recovery is that there is no one “right” way to do it. What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s okay. The important thing is that we find a way to pray that feels authentic to us. Over time, as our relationship with our Higher Power deepens, we will become more comfortable with prayer and discover what resonates with us personally.
If we find ourselves struggling with prayer, it can be helpful to ask others in recovery how they pray. Listening to the experiences of others can provide insight and inspiration. Fellow members of Narcotics Anonymous often have their own stories of how they learned to pray and can offer guidance on how to approach it. Their openness about their own journeys with prayer can help us realize that we are not alone in our uncertainties or challenges.
Some people may share that they, too, started with simple prayers for help or guidance. Others may talk about how their prayers evolved over time as they became more comfortable with their spiritual practice. By sharing these experiences, we learn that prayer is a skill that develops with practice, much like anything else in recovery. The more we pray, the more natural it becomes.
As we continue to pray and build our connection with our Higher Power, prayer becomes a source of strength and comfort. In times of fear, uncertainty, or hardship, we can turn to prayer for peace and guidance. Similarly, in moments of joy or gratitude, prayer becomes a way to express our thanks and appreciation for the gifts of recovery.
Prayer doesn’t only have to be reserved for moments of crisis. Many of us find that regular prayer—whether in the morning, before bed, or throughout the day—helps us stay grounded and connected to our Higher Power. Over time, prayer becomes an integral part of our daily lives, offering a sense of stability and reassurance no matter what challenges or blessings we face.
Prayer, like anything in recovery, requires practice. We may not feel skilled at it in the beginning, and that’s okay. As the Basic Text reminds us, “skilled people were not born with their skills.” Just as we needed time to learn how to live without drugs, we need time to learn how to pray and build our spiritual connection.
The important thing is to start where we are and keep trying. Even if our prayers feel clumsy or awkward at first, the simple act of reaching out to a Higher Power is enough. Over time, as we continue to practice prayer, we will find that it becomes easier and more meaningful. Our prayers will evolve, and so will our relationship with our Higher Power.
By making prayer a regular part of our lives, we strengthen our recovery and deepen our spiritual growth. Prayer becomes not only a way to seek help and guidance but also a source of peace, comfort, and gratitude as we navigate life in recovery.