The 4th Step Prayer is a powerful tool in our journey through the twelve steps, helping us face the truth about ourselves and the wreckage of our past. This step prayer isn’t just about words—it’s about action. It calls us to take a fearless moral inventory, to see where our self-will has led us astray, and to begin the process of change. By leaning on a higher power, we find the strength to confront our negative emotions and take steps toward real freedom.
Letting go of resentment, fear, and guilt isn’t easy, but through daily prayer, we open the door to spiritual progress. This prayer helps us recognize the personal consequences of our actions, making room for humility, forgiveness, and healing. It’s in this surrender that we begin to experience a spiritual awakening, finding a compassionate understanding of ourselves and others.
As we walk this path, we come to see that the 4th Step Prayer isn’t just about looking back—it’s about moving forward. By embracing the truth, seeking the help of thy power, and trusting in the process, we step into a new way of life. This guide will break down the prayer, its purpose, and how it can bring real transformation to those of us willing to do the work.
Key Takeaways About the 4th Step Prayer
- Essential in Twelve Step Recovery – The 4th Step Prayer helps us take a fearless moral inventory and let go of resentment, fear, and guilt.
- Strengthens Spiritual Growth – Practicing this step prayer deepens our connection with a higher power and reveals the personal consequences of our past with honesty.
- Fosters Emotional Healing – The 4th Step Prayer Heavenly Father helps us surrender self-will and embrace a kindly and tolerant view, replacing anger with forgiveness and inner peace.
- Part of Daily Recovery – Incorporating this prayer into daily life develops conscious contact with a higher power, keeping us accountable and growing.
- Works with Other AA Prayers – The Fourth Step Prayer complements other AA prayers, supporting mental health and spiritual renewal while guiding us toward thy way of life.
Understanding the Purpose of the 4th Step Prayer
What is the 4th Step Prayer?
The 4th Step Prayer is a foundational part of twelve step prayers, guiding us through self-examination and emotional healing. It helps us look at the fearless moral inventory required in Step Four, allowing us to acknowledge past harm, resentment, and fear. Unlike general step prayers, this one is deeply personal—it’s about facing ourselves with honesty while seeking the help of thy power to grow beyond our past.
While other step prayers focus on surrender and amends, such as the Sixth Step Prayer, which asks for the removal of defects, or the Twelfth Step Prayer, which centers on service, the 4th Step Prayer is about self-discovery. It invites us to see where self-will has clouded our judgment, making space for humility, responsibility, and spiritual renewal.
The Role of Prayers in a Spiritual Awakening
Every 12 step prayer brings us closer to a spiritual awakening, but the 4th Step Prayer plays a unique role in that journey. Through prayer, we develop the ability to be honest with ourselves and with a higher power, fostering the growth that makes change possible. Facing the truth of our actions isn’t easy, but when we seek guidance through prayer, the process becomes one of healing rather than punishment.
This practice helps us establish conscious contact with a higher power, allowing us to let go of old thought patterns and embrace something greater than ourselves. The more we engage in daily prayer, the more we experience spiritual awakening continues, guiding us toward real transformation.
Why the 4th Step Prayer Is Essential in Alcoholics Anonymous
The 4th Step Prayer is crucial in Alcoholics Anonymous because it helps us break free from the destructive cycle of self-defeating attitudes and unresolved pain. Addiction thrives on resentment and fear, but this prayer forces us to confront those feelings and turn them over to a higher power.
By identifying a single defect of character at a time, we avoid being overwhelmed by our past. Instead, we focus on growth, learning to correct our thinking without shame. Through this prayer, we replace negative emotions with clarity, step into spiritual progress, and start experiencing the freedom that comes with true self-awareness.
Examples of 4th Step Prayers
1. Prayer for Courage to Face Myself
“Dear God, grant me the courage to take an honest look at myself. Help me to see my flaws without shame and my strengths without pride. Take away my fear of facing the past, and replace it with the strength to grow. Let me surrender my will and embrace the spiritual progress that comes with truth. Amen.”
2. Prayer for Letting Go of Resentments
“Heavenly Father, I ask for the strength to release the resentments that weigh me down. Help me to see those I resent with compassion and to offer them the same tolerance and kindness I seek for myself. Free me from the chains of bitterness, and fill my heart with forgiveness so that I may walk in peace. Thy will, not mine, be done. Amen.”
3. Prayer for Overcoming Fear
“Dear Lord, I bring my fears before You. I have allowed them to control me, but today, I ask for Your guidance in releasing them. Show me how to trust in Your plan, to walk forward in faith, and to replace fear with love. Help me to take action despite my doubts and to grow in my spiritual awakening. Amen.”
4. Prayer for Strength in Self-Examination
“God, help me to be fearless in my moral inventory. Give me the honesty to see my part in every situation and the wisdom to correct mistakes with humility. Let me not be blinded by self-will, but instead, may I be open to truth and transformation. Help me to be accountable and to step into the person You created me to be. Amen.”
5. Prayer for Freedom from Guilt and Shame
“Higher Power, I surrender my guilt and shame to You. I have carried these burdens for too long, and they have kept me from healing. Help me to accept my past, make amends where I can, and forgive myself as You forgive me. Show me how to move forward with integrity and grace. May I learn to bring joy to others instead of pain. Amen.”
6. Prayer for Humility and Guidance
“Dear God, I acknowledge that I cannot do this alone. I have relied on my own understanding and have fallen short. Today, I ask for Your guidance in my recovery. Help me to remain humble, to seek Your wisdom, and to trust in the process of healing. Let me bear witness to the power of change and to be a source of hope for others. Amen.”
How to Use the 4th Step Prayer in Recovery
Steps to Practicing the 4th Step Prayer Daily
Incorporating the Step Four Prayer into daily life requires consistency, humility, and a willingness to change. Each day, we must pray with sincerity, asking our higher power to grant us a clear mind and the strength to recognize where we have fallen short. By making this prayer part of our daily spot check inventories, we hold ourselves accountable and stay aligned with thy way of life.
To remain on this path, we must also commit to staying abstinent and seeking a tolerant view toward ourselves and others. As we continue walking day by day, we ask, “Dear God, take away my difficulties so that I may grow.” This prayer is not just about reflection but about positive action, guiding us toward self-awareness and healing.
Common Barriers to Prayer and How to Overcome Them
Many of us struggle with prayer because of twisted thought patterns, expecting instant relief without taking responsibility for our actions. We may pray but still resist surrender, holding onto addictive behavior that keeps us stuck in fear and resentment. Self-will often convinces us that we don’t need to change, but true transformation comes when we let go and trust in a higher power.
To overcome this resistance, we must develop a tolerant view and embrace self-forgetting rather than dwelling on our past failures. When we pray, we are not just asking for change; we are aligning ourselves with the true meaning of humility and growth. A correct thought leads to a right attitude, and over time, this shift fosters inner peace and emotional stability.
Integrating the Prayer with Other Twelve Step Practices
The Step Four Prayer is deeply connected to other AA prayers that keep us spiritually grounded. The Second Step Prayer reminds us that a higher power can restore us, while the Tenth Step Prayer ensures we continue examining our thoughts and behaviors. By incorporating these prayers into our routine, we build inner strength and avoid falling back into addictive behavior.
This prayer also helps us see where we have harmed others, allowing us to make indirect amends with sincerity. When we pray, we are not just seeking personal relief—we are striving to correct our past, embrace thy way, and move forward with honesty and integrity. Through prayer, action, and faith, we uncover the true meaning of recovery and begin to experience lasting peace.
Overcoming Resentment and Negative Feelings with the 4th Step Prayer
The Impact of Resentment on Recovery
Resentment is one of the greatest obstacles to recovery, feeding negative feelings and keeping us trapped in a cycle of anger, self-pity, and blame. When we hold onto past wrongs, we allow others to control our emotions, preventing us from experiencing the freedom that comes with surrender. The 4th Step Prayer Heavenly Father helps us recognize that resentment is not just harmful—it is a roadblock to peace, spiritual growth, and lasting sobriety.
The early members of Alcoholics Anonymous understood that resentment is a poison that destroys progress. They saw how unresolved anger could lead to relapse, keeping people disconnected from a higher power and blocking true transformation. By using the Fourth Step Prayer, we confront these emotions head-on, seeking to replace bitterness with acceptance. When we begin to adopt a kindly and tolerant view of others, we stop allowing resentment to control our actions and emotions.
Releasing Anger and Fear Through Prayer
The Fourth Step Prayer, Dear Lord, teaches us that anger and fear are deeply connected to our self-defeating attitudes. When we cling to these emotions, we make decisions based on reaction rather than reflection, often leading to behaviors that harm ourselves and others. The Fourth Step Prayer, Higher Power, allows us to step back, recognize these destructive patterns, and seek guidance to release them.
One of the most powerful lines we can say in prayer is, “Take away my difficulties.” This is not just a plea for relief but an act of surrender, asking that we no longer be controlled by our resentments. By trusting in thy love, we begin to see that forgiveness is not about letting others off the hook—it is about freeing ourselves from the burden of pain. This shift in perspective allows us to move forward without the weight of anger dragging us down.
Achieving Emotional Healing and Inner Peace
True healing begins when we use the 4th Step Prayer, God, to cultivate a connection with our higher power. Through consistent prayer, we replace turmoil with thy peace, allowing us to navigate daily life with a renewed sense of calm. This practice strengthens our mental health, helping us break free from patterns of resentment and fear that have held us back for so long.
A key principle in recovery is self-forgetting—letting go of self-centered thinking to make space for humility, compassion, and grace. When we surrender our anger and fear, we stop engaging in wishful thinking and begin living in reality. By embracing twelve step prayers and trusting in the will of a higher power, we find the strength to release the past and walk forward in true freedom.
Final Thoughts About The AA Prayers In The Fourth Step
The 4th Step Prayer is a powerful tool for self-discovery, healing, and spiritual growth. By taking an honest inventory of oneself, individuals can identify personal flaws, resolve resentments, and seek divine assistance in overcoming these challenges. The prayer’s role within the Twelve Steps of AA underscores its importance in achieving lasting sobriety and personal transformation.
As you integrate the 4th Step Prayer into your spiritual life, remember that it is a journey of ongoing commitment and effort. With the right support and mindset, you can experience profound change and inner peace. Embrace this tool as a means to a deeper spiritual connection and a more fulfilling life.
Frequently Asked Questions About The 4th Step Prayer
What is the prayer for Step 4?
The 4th Step Prayer is a tool used to ask a higher power for strength in taking an honest inventory. Many in recovery pray for guidance in facing past mistakes, seeking a willing heart to change. This prayer would help of thy will in overcoming fear, resentment, and self-deception, fostering spiritual growth in life.
Where is the 4th Step Prayer in the Big Book?
Though the Fourth Step Prayer is not explicitly labeled in the Big Book, prayers related to resentment and fear are included in Step Four’s instructions. The AA studied teachings guide us to pray for the ability to let go of anger and see others with compassion, trusting that the will higher power leads us toward a better life.
What is the sick man’s prayer in the Big Book?
The sick man’s prayer, found in Step Four, helps us shift our perspective toward those who have harmed us. We pray, asking, “This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry.” This approach allows us to see a sick friend rather than an enemy, bringing peace into our life.
What prayer does God always answer for alcoholics?
Many believe that God always answers the prayer for willingness to stay sober. When we pray sincerely for help, we align with the will higher power, making recovery possible. The AA prayers remind us that if we surrender and say, “Thou wilt, not mine, be done,” we gain clarity, strength, and a new way of life rooted in mental health and peace.
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Adam Vibe Gunton is an American author, speaker and thought leader in addiction treatment and recovery. After overcoming homelessness and drug addiction, Adam found his life’s purpose in helping addicts find the same freedom he found. As Founder and Executive Director of the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Recovered On Purpose, and Managing Partner of Behavioral Health Partners, Adam has helped thousands find freedom from addiction all over the world.