Vivian Marlowe
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step recovery program that was founded in 1935 through the inspiration of an American Lutheran Minister, Frank Buchman, who suffered from alcoholism before a dramatic conversion to Christianity. The program is faith-based, and each meeting is closed with a prayer or meditation, commonly known as the Serenity Prayer or AA prayer. While the Serenity Prayer is often associated with AA, it has been attributed to ancient Sanskrit text, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Augustine, and theologians and saints. The Lord's Prayer, on the other hand, is a Christian prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. Although it has been traditionally used in AA meetings, particularly in the US, its use has become controversial in recent years, with some arguing that it violates the traditions of AA by endorsing a specific religion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the person who introduced the Lord's Prayer to Alcoholics Anonymous | Mr Palmer |
| Position in the group | Treasurer of the group, Yeovil, Somerset |
| Reason for introducing the Lord's Prayer | To get back to the organisation's Christian roots |
| Year the Lord's Prayer was introduced | 2021 (more than a year before 2022) |
| Reaction to the introduction of the Lord's Prayer | The group was separated and censured |
| Reason for the reaction | A new member of the group felt uncomfortable |
| Mr Palmer's reaction to the censure | "We were shocked when we found out about the action being taken against us, but we are determined to carry on" |
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What You'll Learn
The Lord's Prayer's Christian origins
The Lord's Prayer is a canonical prayer of Christianity, used in nearly all denominations of the faith. According to tradition, it was taught by Jesus to his disciples. It is considered a model of how to pray, with an introductory address to God as "Father" and seven petitions. The prayer is used today by every Christian tradition, though there are sometimes minor variations in the wording.
The prayer is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical scholars have noted differences between the two versions, reflecting the different contexts in which it is given. Matthew's version is embedded in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus instructs his followers on personal practices of piety. Luke's version, on the other hand, is shorter and is given in response to a request from his disciples.
The original Greek texts of both versions contain the adjective "epiousion", which has been commonly translated as "daily" in English. However, the exact meaning of this word is debated, and it may have meant "for tomorrow" in the context of the prayer. The Matthaean version has become the standard in general Christian usage, although there are still minor variations in wording between different denominations.
The concluding doxology, "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever", is not considered part of the original text of the prayer but was added very early on. It represents the practice of concluding prayers with a short, hymn-like verse that exalts the glory of God. The doxology is believed to have originated in the Didachē, a compilation of early Christian teachings.
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The Lord's Prayer in AA meetings
The Lord's Prayer has been a somewhat controversial topic within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). While AA meetings are faith-based and usually end with a prayer or meditation, reciting The Lord's Prayer has been deemed by some as a violation of AA traditions, as it endorses a specific religion.
AA was founded in 1935 by an American Lutheran Minister, Frank Buchman, who had suffered from alcoholism himself before a dramatic conversion to Christianity. The 12-step programme was based on his Christian spiritual awakening, and this has acted as a template for recovering alcoholics worldwide. The early members of AA studied the Bible, and the Lord's Prayer was also used at the end of meetings in certain states during the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2022, an affiliated AA group was removed from the organisation's online directory for saying The Lord's Prayer and including Christian content in their meetings. The group was told that their actions made a new member feel uncomfortable, and that they would be removed from the register. The group's treasurer, Mr Palmer, said that he introduced The Lord's Prayer to get back to the organisation's Christian roots, which he felt had been slowly eroded. He also stated that he did not believe it was necessary to be a Christian to be part of an AA group.
Some members of AA have expressed that reciting The Lord's Prayer does not bother them, and that they are willing to overlook it as they feel they need to be at the meetings. However, others have pointed out that reciting a Christian prayer could scare away newcomers and that AA should hold true to its non-alignment so that nobody is offended or turned away.
The Serenity Prayer is the official prayer of AA, and it is often used in meetings. It is not necessary to be religious to find wisdom in this prayer, and it can serve as a meditation on a higher power for those who are not religious.
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The Serenity Prayer
The prayer is as follows:
> God grant me the serenity
> To accept the things I cannot change;
> Courage to change the things I can;
> And the wisdom to know the difference.
AA was founded in 1935 by an American Lutheran Minister, Frank Buchman, who had suffered from alcoholism before a dramatic conversion to Christianity. The 12-step programme was based on his Christian spiritual awakening and has since acted as a template for recovering alcoholics worldwide.
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The AA program's Christian roots
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was formed in 1935 through the inspiration of an American Lutheran Minister, Frank Buchman, who had suffered from alcoholism himself before a dramatic conversion to Christianity transformed his life. He went on to co-found the Oxford Group and launched the 12-step programme, which was based on his Christian spiritual awakening. This has acted as a template for recovering from alcoholism by AA worldwide, ever since.
The Lord's Prayer is a Christian prayer attributed to Jesus, who taught it to his disciples when they asked how they should pray. It is found twice in the New Testament and is considered the universal prayer of all Christians. The prayer was incorporated into the Oxford Group and then into AA because the founders and early members were predominantly, if not exclusively, Christian.
The Serenity Prayer, officially the AA prayer, is another common prayer used by people in recovery going through the 12-step process. It was brought to AA in 1940 by a group member who read it in an obituary in the newspaper. The group's founder, Bill W., felt the prayer was appropriate for AA members and had it printed on cards for members to use.
While AA is a faith-based program, it is not necessary to be religious to be a part of an AA group. Each meeting is closed with a prayer or meditation, commonly the Serenity Prayer, which can be interpreted within the framework of religion or as a meditation on a higher power, which can be anything an individual views as bigger than themselves.
However, reciting the Lord's Prayer in an AA meeting is considered a violation of AA traditions as it endorses a specific religion. AA groups are not supposed to express opinions on controversial issues, especially sectarian religion, and reciting the Lord's Prayer in meetings can make non-Christian members uncomfortable.
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The Lord's Prayer in the AA literature
The Lord's Prayer has been a part of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings since the organization's inception in 1935. In the absence of AA literature, early groups relied on existing prayers, the Bible, and Oxford Group literature for guidance. The Lord's Prayer was introduced by the Oxford Groups, which were influential in the early days of AA.
Bill W., the co-founder of AA, commented on the early use of the Lord's Prayer in several correspondences. In a 1959 letter, he wrote:
> "This practice probably came from the Oxford Groups who were influential in the early days of A.A. You have probably noted in A.A. Comes of Age what the connection of these people with A.A. really was. I think saying the Lord's Prayer was a custom of theirs following the close of each meeting. Therefore it quite easily got shifted into a general custom among us."
Bill W. also acknowledged in a 1955 letter that "there are always those who seem to be offended by the introduction of any prayer whatever."
The Lord's Prayer was used at the end of meetings across North America, with attendees standing, holding hands, and reciting "Our Father who art in Heaven..." However, its use has been controversial. Some members view it as a violation of AA traditions, as the organization is supposed to be non-denominational and non-judgmental. They argue that reciting a Christian prayer is disrespectful to non-Christians and that AA should accommodate prayers from other religions or none at all.
In 2024, the General Service Conference voted against including the Lord's Prayer as an option to close big meetings at the International Convention. This decision aligns with AA's commitment to spiritual inclusivity and non-alignment with any particular religion.
While the Lord's Prayer has been a traditional part of AA meetings, the organization recognizes the importance of respecting diverse spiritual beliefs and avoiding endorsement of specific faiths.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lord's Prayer is not officially part of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. However, some groups have been known to recite it, especially in the US.
The Lord's Prayer is a Christian prayer, and AA is not a Christian organisation. Some members feel that reciting the prayer violates the traditions of AA and may alienate non-Christian members.
AA was founded by Christians, and some members believe that the organisation has strayed from its Christian roots. They argue that the prayer should not be offensive when said in a church.
The Serenity Prayer is often used in AA meetings, as well as other prayers such as the AA prayer, the Higher Power Prayer, and the Maha Mantra.
