Conference Approved Literature

Al-Anon's newest book is here!

Opening Our Hearts, Transforming Our Losses (B-29) will prove useful for thought-provoking individual reading as well as stimulating group discussions. It shares the experiences of hundreds of members as we explore how Al-Anon principles have helped us to acknowledge, understand, and accept the losses we have experienced as a result of someone else's alcoholism. The book covers a wide range of topics including death, financial ruin, abandoned dreams, and vanished self-esteem. With the help of Al-Anon Family Groups we can begin to heal and to live life more fully.

You can read more about the book at the World Service Office's Site, or order the book directly.


We want your opinion!

WSO has asked us what pamphlets should be included in newcomers packets. The pamphlets vary but usually include pamphlets such as Guide for the Family of the Alcoholic (P-7), Purpose and Suggestions (P-13), Al-Anon Spoken Here (P-53), So You Love an Alcoholic (P-14), and Dear Mom and Dad (P-67).

Let us know what you think! Feel free to email Melissa with your suggestions at savvymom926@yahoo.com

 


Subscribe to The Forum!

A meeting in your pocket! You can subscribe to the Forum by downloading and printing a subscription form or you may order a subscription directly from WSO's website.

 


Need Conference Approved Literature for your group or for yourself?

You can order it by downloading and printing an order form and ordering it from the Northern Virginia ASC.

 

 

Dear God Prayer on page 214 in As We Understood   
 
I was given the book, As We Understood,  when I first started my recovery journey in Alanon. It is a wonderful book filled with the experience, strength and hope regarding understanding our Higher Power.  I am very grateful to the person who shared this book with me and hoping that by using this prayer as a topic for a group meeting, many more will discover the wonderful treasures this book has to offer us. I often find that I have to turn my will & life over to my Higher Power many times and this prayer is very helpful for me at those times.

Begin by reading the prayer.
Invite the group to share their experience with prayer during their recovery. 
Open the discussion to which steps are represented in this prayer.
Ask what parts of the prayer that express what would be most helpful today and what part they are not able to pray at this time.

 

Dear God
I am powerless and my life is unmanageable without Your help and guidance.I come to You today because I believe that you can restore and renew me to meet my needs today.
Since I cannot manage my life or affairs, I have decided to give them to You. I put my life, my will, my thoughts, desires and ambitious in Your hands.
I give You all of me: the good and the bad, the character defects and shortcomings, my selfishness, resentments and problems.I know that You will work them out accordance with Your service. Guide and direct my ways and show me what to do for You.

I cannot control or change my friends or loved ones, so I release them into Your care for Your loving hands to do with as Your will. Just keep me loving and free from judging them. If they need changing, God, You’ll have to do it; I can’t. Just make me willing and ready to be of service to you; to have my shortcomings removed and to do my best.

Help me to see how I have harmed others and make me willing to make amends to them all. Keep me ever mindful of thoughts and actions that harm myself and others, and which separate me from Your light, love and spirit. And when I commit these errors, make me aware of them and help me to admit each one promptly.

I am seeking to know you better, to love you more. I am seeking the knowledge of Your will for me and the power to carry it out.

 

 
 
© 2007 Virginia Area Al-Anon