The Twelve Steps and the Beatitudes

Step 1

 

We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

 

Step 2

 

We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

 

Step 3

 

We made a decision to turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God.

 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5

 

Step 4

 

We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 

 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

 

Step 5

 

We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7

 

Step 6

 

We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

 

Step 7

 

Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.

 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

 

Step 8

 

We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

 

Step 9

 

We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

 

Step 10

 

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

 

Step 11

 

We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.

 

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by people.

Matthew 5:13

 

Step 12

 

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

 

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16