There’s a prayer I learned over a year ago, but only recently began to pray regularly—the Set Aside Prayer. It has reshaped the way I think about God, myself, others, and recovery.
“God, please enable me to set aside everything I think I know about You, myself, others, recovery, the twelve steps, and my struggles. Give me an open mind and a new experience. Help me to see the truth. Amen.”
Letting Go of Our Limited Understanding
As followers of Christ, we often believe we understand God—yet what we know is only a fraction of His vastness. Job discovered this in his suffering when God reminded him of His infinite power and wisdom.
“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?”
— Job 38:2 NLT
To grow, we must be willing to release what we think we know, so God can show us who He truly is.
Setting Aside False Views of Self
We don’t even know ourselves as well as we think. Our subconscious minds often lead us astray—justifying unhealthy choices, excusing anger, or masking selfishness with words we call “love.”
But Christ calls us higher: to act from love, not just in the name of love.
Seeing Others Clearly
When we set aside assumptions about others, we stop trying to manipulate them into who we think they should be. Instead, we can love them as they are—just as Jesus loves us.
Recovery Beyond Addictions
Many think recovery is only about giving up substances or habits. But real recovery is about going deeper—facing the wounds beneath the surface that drive us toward addictions, distractions, and destructive cycles.
By setting aside our own definitions of recovery, we open ourselves to God’s definition: transformation.
Reflection Questions
- What false ideas about God, yourself, or others might you need to set aside?
- Are there areas in your life where your subconscious excuses unhealthy actions?
- How might praying the Set Aside Prayer daily reshape your walk with Christ?
Closing Prayer
Lord, help me let go of what I think I know about You, myself, others, and recovery. Open my heart to Your truth. Replace my assumptions with Your wisdom, my control with Your guidance, and my will with Yours. May my life reflect the freedom that comes only from You. Amen.