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The Power Of Set Aside Prayer In AA: A Path To Spiritual Openness

Mar 12, 2026 • minute read

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Have you ever found yourself resistant to new ideas or spiritual concepts, especially when it comes to recovery? The Set Aside Prayer in Alcoholics Anonymous offers a powerful solution to this common challenge. This simple yet profound prayer helps members temporarily suspend their preconceived notions and biases, creating space for genuine spiritual growth and understanding.

The Set Aside Prayer is particularly relevant in AA meetings where discussions about spirituality and a Higher Power can sometimes trigger defensiveness or skepticism. Whether you're new to AA or a long-time member, understanding and utilizing this prayer can transform your recovery journey by removing the barriers that prevent you from fully embracing the program's spiritual principles.

What is the Set Aside Prayer?

The Set Aside Prayer is a brief but powerful invocation that asks for the willingness to temporarily suspend one's existing beliefs and judgments. It's designed to help individuals approach spiritual concepts with an open mind, free from the prejudices and preconceptions that might otherwise block understanding.

This prayer is not about abandoning your beliefs permanently, but rather about creating a temporary space where you can explore new ideas without immediate resistance. The concept recognizes that our existing beliefs—whether religious, philosophical, or personal—can sometimes prevent us from seeing truth that exists outside our current framework.

The prayer typically goes something like this: "God, please help me to set aside everything I think I know about myself, my recovery, and my Higher Power. Help me to have an open mind and a new experience with you."

The Historical Context and Origins

The Set Aside Prayer emerged from the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous, though its exact origins are somewhat unclear. It's believed to have been inspired by the work of early AA members who recognized that resistance to spiritual concepts was a major obstacle for many alcoholics seeking recovery.

The prayer gained wider recognition through its inclusion in various AA literature and its adoption by many sponsors who recognized its value in helping newcomers overcome initial resistance to the program's spiritual aspects. Some attribute its popularization to members of the Oxford Group, a Christian organization that influenced AA's early development.

Interestingly, the prayer reflects a fundamental understanding of human psychology that predates modern cognitive science. It acknowledges that our existing beliefs create mental filters that can prevent us from perceiving new information objectively—a concept that aligns with contemporary research on cognitive biases and confirmation bias.

The Spiritual Significance in Recovery

In the context of recovery, the Set Aside Prayer serves as a bridge between resistance and acceptance. Many people struggling with addiction have complex relationships with spirituality, often stemming from negative experiences with organized religion or deeply held atheistic beliefs. The prayer offers a way to engage with spiritual concepts without feeling like one must abandon their core identity.

The spiritual significance lies in its ability to create what might be called a "beginner's mind" state. This concept, borrowed from Buddhist philosophy, refers to approaching experiences with openness and eagerness, free from preconceptions. In recovery, this state allows individuals to genuinely consider the possibility of a Higher Power, the value of spiritual principles, and the effectiveness of the 12-step program.

Moreover, the prayer acknowledges a fundamental truth about recovery: that what we think we know might be precisely what's keeping us sick. By temporarily setting aside our existing beliefs, we create space for new understanding and healing to occur.

How to Practice the Set Aside Prayer

Practicing the Set Aside Prayer is remarkably simple, yet it requires genuine intention and willingness. The most effective approach is to recite the prayer before engaging with spiritual material, attending meetings where spiritual topics will be discussed, or when working through the steps that involve spiritual principles.

Here's a practical approach to using the prayer:

Find a quiet moment before your intended activity
Take a few deep breaths to center yourself
Recite the prayer slowly and with intention
Visualize yourself opening like a flower to new possibilities
Release any tension or resistance you might be holding

The key is not just to say the words mechanically, but to genuinely invite the experience of openness. Some people find it helpful to write the prayer down and carry it with them, while others prefer to memorize it for spontaneous use.

Benefits of Incorporating the Prayer

The benefits of incorporating the Set Aside Prayer into your recovery practice are numerous and profound. First and foremost, it reduces the internal resistance that often prevents people from fully engaging with the recovery process. This resistance can manifest as anger, skepticism, or simply a closed mind—all of which can block the very healing one seeks.

Another significant benefit is the reduction of anxiety and defensiveness around spiritual topics. Many people in recovery experience discomfort when confronted with concepts like "God" or "Higher Power," often due to past traumas or deeply held beliefs. The prayer creates a safe psychological space where these concepts can be explored without threat to one's identity.

Additionally, the practice of setting aside our existing beliefs cultivates humility—a crucial quality in recovery. It acknowledges that we don't have all the answers and that wisdom might exist outside our current understanding. This humility opens doors to learning, growth, and connection with others who have different perspectives.

Common Misconceptions and Concerns

Despite its benefits, some people have concerns about the Set Aside Prayer. One common misconception is that it requires abandoning one's existing beliefs or converting to a particular religion. In reality, the prayer is about temporary suspension, not permanent rejection of one's beliefs.

Another concern is that setting aside critical thinking might lead to accepting harmful or false ideas. However, the prayer actually enhances critical thinking by removing the emotional reactivity that often clouds judgment. When we're not defensive, we can evaluate ideas more objectively.

Some also worry that the prayer might be manipulative or coercive. This concern is understandable, especially for those with negative experiences in religious contexts. However, the prayer is fundamentally about personal choice and agency—it's an invitation to openness, not a command to believe.

Personal Stories and Testimonials

The impact of the Set Aside Prayer is perhaps best illustrated through personal stories. John, a 45-year-old recovering alcoholic, shares: "For years, I couldn't get past the God concept in AA. I'd sit in meetings fuming, feeling like the whole thing was a religious cult. Then someone suggested I try the Set Aside Prayer. At first, I thought it was silly, but I was desperate enough to try anything. To my surprise, I found I could actually listen to what others were saying without immediately rejecting it. That opened the door to me eventually finding my own understanding of a Higher Power—not as some old man in the sky, but as the collective wisdom and support of the people in those rooms."

Sarah, who struggled with the prayer initially, found it transformative: "I'm a scientist and a committed atheist. The idea of praying felt like a betrayal of everything I stood for. But when my sponsor explained that the prayer wasn't about believing, but about being willing to consider other perspectives, something shifted. I realized I could be scientifically rigorous and still remain open to experiences I couldn't yet explain. That openness led me to discover that the spiritual principles in AA—things like honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness—actually aligned perfectly with my scientific values."

Integrating the Prayer into Daily Practice

For those interested in making the Set Aside Prayer a regular part of their recovery practice, integration into daily life can be both simple and profound. One effective approach is to begin each day with the prayer, setting an intention for openness and learning throughout the day ahead.

During meetings or when reading recovery literature, taking a moment to recite the prayer beforehand can significantly enhance receptivity and understanding. Some people find it helpful to keep a written copy of the prayer in their recovery notebook or on their phone for easy access.

It's also valuable to notice when resistance arises during the day and use those moments as opportunities to practice the prayer. This might happen when encountering someone with different beliefs, when facing a challenging situation, or when feeling particularly defensive about a topic.

The Role in Step Work and Spiritual Growth

The Set Aside Prayer plays a particularly important role in step work, especially when working through steps that involve spiritual concepts. Steps 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12 all involve some level of spiritual engagement, and the prayer can help ease the transition into these more spiritually-focused aspects of recovery.

For example, when working Step 2 ("Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity"), many people encounter significant resistance. The Set Aside Prayer can create the mental and emotional space needed to genuinely consider this possibility without feeling like one must immediately accept or reject it.

Similarly, in Step 11 ("Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him"), the prayer itself becomes a tool for deepening spiritual practice. It helps maintain the humility and openness that spiritual growth requires.

Conclusion: Embracing Openness in Recovery

The Set Aside Prayer represents a powerful tool in the recovery toolkit, offering a pathway through the resistance that often blocks spiritual growth and healing. By temporarily suspending our existing beliefs and judgments, we create space for new understanding, genuine connection, and profound transformation.

Whether you're new to recovery or have been working the program for years, the prayer offers a way to approach spiritual concepts with curiosity rather than defensiveness. It acknowledges the validity of our existing beliefs while recognizing that those very beliefs might be preventing us from experiencing the healing and growth we seek.

The beauty of the Set Aside Prayer lies in its simplicity and respect for individual choice. It doesn't demand that we change our beliefs, only that we create temporary space for new possibilities. In doing so, it honors both our need for autonomy and our capacity for growth, making it an invaluable resource on the journey of recovery.

As you continue your recovery journey, consider how the Set Aside Prayer might support your growth. Remember that recovery is not about perfection but about willingness—the willingness to try new approaches, to consider different perspectives, and to remain open to the possibility of healing. The Set Aside Prayer is simply a tool to support that willingness, helping you move from resistance to openness, from closed to receptive, and from stuck to growing.

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