AND GROUP PRACTICE
The Lord’s Prayer in Alcoholics Anonymous
Why some A.A. meetings use the Lord’s Prayer—and others do not
The Lord’s Prayer comes from Christian scripture and long predates Alcoholics Anonymous. Early members encountered it in Oxford Group meetings, and some A.A. groups carried the custom forward. Other groups chose the Serenity Prayer, silent prayer, or no prayer. A 1977 General Service Office response placed that variety within A.A.’s Fourth Tradition of group autonomy.
“Each can decide for itself whether it wants any prayer and if so, which.”
“Prayer at Meetings” Box 4-5-9, 1977, page 4; opens in a new tab
The G.S.O. response connects prayer selection with the Fourth Tradition and describes the Oxford Group background of the practice.
The question A.A. answered in 1977
History · autonomy · continuing varietyWhy does a Christian prayer appear in A.A. meetings?
A member asked G.S.O. why many meetings closed with the Lord’s Prayer and how that custom related to use of the Serenity Prayer.
Read “Prayer at Meetings” page 4; opens in a new tabThe Fourth Tradition places the choice with the group
The response names no required prayer. Instead, it explains that each autonomous group decides whether prayer is part of its meeting and which prayer it uses.
The Fourth Tradition official wording; opens in a new tabAn Oxford Group custom entered some early A.A. meetings
Pioneer A.A. members had attended Oxford Group meetings where the Lord’s Prayer was used. The G.S.O. response says they apparently brought that familiar practice into the young Fellowship.
The historical explanation Box 4-5-9, page 4; opens in a new tabA.A. groups were already choosing differently
The 1977 answer notes that some groups used silent prayer and others used none. Today’s A.A. meeting guidance likewise describes several possible openings and closings rather than one universal form.
What happens at an A.A. meeting opens in a new tabTradition Four
Autonomy allows local practice to differ
A.A. groups are autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. The 1977 response applies that principle directly to the presence and selection of prayer.
The Twelve Traditions opens in a new tabTradition Three
Membership rests on a desire to stop drinking
A.A.’s stated membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. A member’s place in the Fellowship does not depend on sharing the religious background of a prayer used by one group.
The Third Tradition official wording; opens in a new tabA.A. Preamble
The Fellowship is not allied with a religious body
The Preamble describes A.A. as unaffiliated with any sect or denomination. Within that nonaffiliation, individual members and autonomous groups express spirituality in varied ways.
The A.A. Preamble opens in a new tabIn the meeting room
What the distinction means in practice
One Fellowship, many local customs
- For a visitor: hearing the Lord’s Prayer at one meeting describes that group’s custom. It does not mean A.A. wrote the prayer, that every meeting uses it, or that it is a condition of membership.
- For a chair: the closing or opening follows the format established by the group. Naming the prayer and inviting participation makes the local custom clear to newcomers.
- For a group conscience: prayer practice can be considered alongside the group’s responsibility to welcome alcoholics seeking help and accurately represent A.A.
- For every reader: the Lord’s Prayer, the Serenity Prayer, and prayers printed in A.A. books have different histories even when they are heard in the same meeting.
Continue with A.A.’s own material
History · meetings · Traditions · varied belief| Subject | A.A. publication | What you will find |
|---|---|---|
| Prayer in A.A. meetings | Box 4-5-9, 1977, page 4 opens in a new tab | G.S.O.’s direct answer, the Oxford Group background, and the application of group autonomy. |
| What meetings are like today | Information about A.A. meetings opens in a new tab | Examples of silence, prayer, readings, and formats determined by members. |
| Autonomy and membership | The Twelve Traditions opens in a new tab | The complete Third and Fourth Traditions with links to fuller essays. |
| A.A. and religion | The A.A. Preamble opens in a new tab | A.A.’s purpose, membership basis, and nonaffiliation with sects and denominations. |
| Agnostic and atheist experience | The “God” Word opens in a new tab | Conference-approved personal experience from agnostic and atheist A.A. members. |