The Set Aside Prayer

The “Set Aside Prayer” is a popular spiritual invocation, widely used in 12-step recovery programs, to foster open-mindedness by asking God to remove preconceived notions about oneself, recovery, and spirituality. It helps break down ego and intellectual pride, allowing for a new experience and spiritual growth. 

A Simple Version of the Core Prayer

“God, please help me to set aside everything I think I know about you, myself, (this situation), and (people/person, place or thing) so I may have an open mind and a new experience. Please help me to see the truth about you, myself, (this situation), and (people/person, place, or thing). Amen”.

Key Aspects & Usage

• Purpose: The prayer encourages a “beginner’s mind,” allowing individuals to approach life with curiosity and wonder rather than fixed prejudices.
• 12-Step Context: It is frequently used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-Step fellowships before meetings or studying literature to encourage spiritual openness.
• Application: Beyond addiction recovery, it is utilized to address daily stresses, such as setting aside assumptions about relationships, work, or personal emotional health.
• Origin: Often associated with 12-step recovery workshops, the prayer is a tool for embracing humility and overcoming judgmental attitudes.

Variations
The prayer can be tailored to fit individual needs, such as:

• “God, please help me set aside everything I think I know about my partner, my family, and my life, so I may have a new experience”.
• “Universe/Higher Power, please help me set aside everything I think I know about this [specific, difficult] situation, for an open mind”. 

This practice is recognized as a way to cultivate spiritual openness and sobriety.