Prayer for Willingness Over Control

Morning & Evening Recovery Prayer (CPTSD, 12 Step)

This is a short prayer for willingness over control. You can use it in the morning, in the evening, or anytime you feel overwhelmed and need to let go.

Today, I pause.
I arrive in this moment as I am.
Not as I should be.
Not as I wish I were.
Just as I am.

I acknowledge that some things are within my influence today…
and many things are not.

Grant me the willingness
to see the difference.

The willingness
to take responsibility
for what is mine to carry.

And the willingness
to release what was never mine
to control.

I do not need to manage the whole day.
I do not need to fix my past.
I do not need to predict the future.

Just for today,
I choose the next right step.
Not the perfect one.
Not the heroic one.
Just the honest one.

If my body feels tense or alert,
I do not judge it.

I remember:
these responses were learned in survival.
They do not mean danger is present now.

I breathe slowly.
I soften where I can.
I allow my nervous system
to stand down a little.

I am willing to see this day differently.
I am willing to release my need
to control outcomes.

I choose trust over force.
Presence over panic.
Guidance over fear.

And if I forget,
I can choose again.

For this moment,
I let go.

I place what I cannot carry
down gently.

I trust that doing less,
with more awareness,
is enough.

And so it is.
Just for today.

DESCRIPTION:

This short recovery prayer focuses on willingness over control and is inspired by the Serenity Prayer, 12 Step recovery, trauma-informed healing, and non-attachment teachings.

Created for people living with CPTSD, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or long-term stress, this prayer supports nervous system regulation without forcing positivity or spiritual bypassing.

You can use this prayer in the morning, in the evening, or during moments when control, fear, or overwhelm take over. It is designed to feel safe, familiar, and grounding.

This prayer may support you if you are exploring:

• CPTSD recovery
• 12 Step or spiritual recovery
• Trauma-informed prayer and meditation
• A Course in Miracles–inspired perspective shifts
• Buddhist non-attachment and presence
• Letting go of control and perfectionism
• Nervous system regulation and emotional safety

Return to this prayer whenever you need to soften, reset, and begin again.

If this prayer supports you, you’re welcome to like, subscribe, or share it with someone on a healing journey.

TAGS:
recovery prayer, serenity prayer inspired, willingness over control, CPTSD prayer, trauma informed prayer, 12 step recovery prayer, morning prayer for healing, evening prayer for anxiety, letting go of control, nervous system regulation, spiritual recovery, daily recovery prayer, anxiety relief prayer, acim inspired prayer, mindfulness prayer, non attachment practice, healing trauma, emotional regulation, guided prayer, grounding practice, recovery meditation

FREE AUDIO – Full Prayer Series – Available on YouTube

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More Recovery Support & Resources

Recovery is not something you have to do alone.

Alongside prayer and inner work, basic support matters.

Foundational recovery support may include:

• Professional support when needed (medical care, therapy, counselling)
• A nurturing support system (trusted people, community, safe connection)
• A safe place to rest at night (sleep, warmth, regular meals)
• Gentle nourishment (hydration, simple balanced food)
• Basic hygiene and daily care (washing, clean clothes, routine)
• Rest, pacing, and kindness toward yourself
• Small, consistent self-care rather than perfection

Healing happens best when safety, care, and support are present.

If you need immediate / URGENT emotional support in South Africa:

• SADAG Suicide Crisis Line (24/7, toll-free): 0800 567 567
• LIFELINE National Counselling Line (24/7): 0861 322 322

If you are in immediate danger, please seek emergency medical care or contact local emergency services.

You matter. Support is allowed. Rest is part of healing.

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The Serenity Prayer asks for three things: the composure to accept what cannot be changed, the strength to change what can be changed, and the discernment to know which is which.

Complete Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.