We all struggle to escape bad habits that overrun our lives. The One Year Recovery Prayer Devotional is for those who are seeking freedom and recovery from unhealthy habits and addictions. This daily devotional, which features the Twelve Steps for Believers, will help you experience a life-changing breakthrough, releasing you from harmful patterns of behavior. Each day, the devotional encourages you to bring your struggles to God in prayer, asking for strength. The recovery process is not one you should try alone. You need partners and companions. The One Year Recovery Prayer Devotional is one of your companions, giving you daily encouragement on your path toward purpose. We all struggle to escape bad habits. The One Year Recovery Prayer Devotional invites you to experience a purpose-filled life that is free from unhealthy habits and destructive addictions. This daily devotional will help you experience a life-changing breakthrough, releasing you from harmful patterns of behavior. Each day, you will be encouraged to bring your struggles to God in prayer, asking for strength. Dr. Brazelton will guide you through this process with The Twelve Steps for Believers and - The P.U.R.P.O.S.E. Plan. The recovery process is not one you should try alone; you need partners and companions. The One Year Recovery Prayer Devotional will give you the daily inspiration you need as God leads you on a path toward freedom and purpose. The One Year Recovery Prayer Devotional 365 Daily Meditations toward Discovering Your True Purpose By Katie Brazelton, Jane Vogel Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Copyright © 2013 Katie Brazelton All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4143-6442-1 Contents Introduction...............................................................xiiiThe Twelve Steps for Believers: Where Recovery and Purpose Intersect.......xviiThe Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous...................................xixFinding P.U.R.P.O.S.E. through Recovery Steps How the Twelve Steps for Believers enhance P.U.R.P.O.S.E............................................1Principle I: Put God First My primary purpose is to worship God with my life.......................................................................19Principle II: Understand Biblical Truths about God's Will I understand my recovery in the bigger picture of how God is redeeming the world...........57Principle III: Rightly Tell My Recovery Story I turn my past and present over to God to complete my future life's work..............................109Principle IV: Pursue Positive Practices to Maintain My Sobriety I'm fully cooperating with God regarding his unique plan for my life.................175Principle V: opt Out of Self-Sabotaging Methods I choose to live a life of recovery and purpose now................................................241Principle VI: Surrender All to Christ My King When I empty myself of self, I'm able to be and do all God wants..................................285Principle VII: experience Heart-Pounding Life Purpose I'm living in the center of God's will.......................................................323Appendix: Major Topics.....................................................389Author Contact Information.................................................395 CHAPTER 1 Finding P.U.R.P.O.S.E. through Recovery Steps How the Twelve Steps for Believers enhance P.U.R.P.O.S.E. January 1 Finding P.U.R.P.O.S.E. through Recovery Steps Thanking God That I'm Not God O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You areruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can standagainst you! 2 CHRONICLES 20:6 Have you recognized God's kingship yet and admitted your need for him, or do youstill play act as if you are controlling the world? The Gospel writer Matthew tells us,"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more ofGod and his rule" (Matthew 5:3, The Message ). God's unequivocal majesty is the biblicalfoundation of the Twelve Steps for Believers, helping us resign as Ruler of the World,admit that we're powerless over our dependencies (Step One), and gratefully undergoa character makeover. Are you ready to celebrate your recovery in a healthy, God-honoring way, by thankinghim that you're not him and for the victory he's declared over the demons in yourlife? Celebratory parties of your past may have been marred by food-induced comas,alcohol-fueled gossip, drug-incited tirades, predictable police reports, or upstagingthe Joneses, but this moment is about commemorating the joy of saying good-byeto all that. As Tom Peters, a wise management guru on the topic of success, has said,"Celebrate what you want to see more of." After we get this party started of allowing God to be God, he has a beyond-beliefsurprise for you—an exceptional high, one that's key to your recovery. It's the thrill ofdiscovering and fulfilling his will fo