Step Eleven

   This week I have made a special effort to sit down in the morning, before the day starts, and take a few minutes to practice prayer and meditation. It has been somewhat a effort in will power to put this first in my day. There are many things that distract me. But I would say it has made a difference in my day. And eventually I did find my way to the other distractions anyway.

   If I were going to re-write the step I would say “Sought through prayer, meditation and a strong cup of coffee, to improve our conscience contact with God, as we understood him, praying only for his will for us and the power to carry that out.”

   I find the best time of day for me to practice this step is early in the morning, before anyone else gets up, when my thoughts and my house is quiet. I pour myself a big cup of hot steamy coffee and read from some prayer books, spiritual books, and AA literature. I have come to accept quiet reading from books and listening to people talk in meetings as my definition of meditation. Passive listening and reading is relaxing. I am frequently inspired by this practice. Or maybe it’s the buzz I get from the first cup of coffee. What ever causes the emotional response, I enjoy it.

   Then I may say a few prayers if I am motivated. I pray about everything. I ask for specifics. Then I trust God to sort out what is good for me and others I pray for. My feeling about this is why not ask? All He can do is say no. And if he does say no I won’t be disappointed. After all, it was probably best that it didn’t happen anyway. I couple of times in the last few weeks things have happened that I prayed for. I must admit I was shocked and frightened. His power is overwhelming. I wouldn’t want to get on His bad side.