ON A WING AND A PRAYER

 ON A WING AND A PRAYER

 

. . . . we then look at Step Six.

We have emphasized willingness

as being indispensable.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76

 

Steps Four and Five were difficult, but worthwhile.

Now I was stuck on Step Six and, in despair,

I picked up the Big Book and read this passage.

I was outside, praying for willingness,

when I raised my eyes

and saw a huge bird rising in the sky.

I watched it suddenly give itself up

to the powerful air currents of the mountains.

Swept, along, swooping and soaring,

the bird did things seemingly impossible

for mortal birds to do.

It was an inspiring example

 of a fellow creature “letting go”

to a power greater than itself.

I realized that the bird “took back his will”

and tried to fly with less trust, on its power alone,

it would spoil its apparent free flight.

That insight granted me

the willingness to pray the Seventh Step prayer.

It’s not easy to know God’s will in each circumstance.

I must search out and be ready for the currents,

and that’s where prayer and meditation help!

Because I am, of myself, nothing,

I ask God to grant me the knowledge of His will

and the power and courage to carry it out — today.