Alcoholics Anonymous: When the Newcomer Cries for Help

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Alcoholics Anonymous: When the Newcomer Cries for Help
The Historical Backdrop
Dick B.
© 2009 Anonymous. All rights reserved


Early AAs Did Cry Out to God for Help

Early A.A. members testified to some dramatic cries they made to the Creator, and told how He responded. Bill Wilson had just been born again at Calvary Rescue Mission. He had been told by his psychiatrist Dr. William D. Silkworth that the Great Physician Jesus Christ could cure him. He decided to call on the Great Physician. He cried out for help, had his dramatic white flash experience, sensed the presence of God, and never drank again. There is a similar story about John Henry Fitzhugh Mayo who was doubting God’s power, tumbled out of bed—crying “Who are you to say there is no God.” And Fitz was also delivered. Both Bill Wilson and Fitzhugh Mayo were Christians, called out for help, and instantly received it. And this became a common solution for early A.A. pioneers..

The Bible Described the Deliverance They Received

Dr. Bob said the basic ideas for the A.A. program came from the Bible. And here are some basic ideas from the Bible and from A.A. itself: He who comes to God must believe that He is. (Hebrews 11:6). God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11: 6). Many times the children of Israel cried out to God for help; God heard them; and God delivered them from their fears and troubles (Psalm 34:4; 40:1-3; 92:14-16; 55:16-17; 107:6, 13, 19). And the newly born again Christians had similar experiences (Acts 4:24-33; 5:18-42; 11:33-46; 13:9-11; 16:18-26.

The Quiet Time Idea for Regular Communication with God

To these Biblical truths, the A.A. pioneers added the concept of a Quiet Time—a period in the morning and sometimes during the day when they would seek a quiet place, pray, read the Bible, seek God, and listen for His guidance.

An example is the account of Dr. Bob’s prayer life:

“Dr. Bob’s morning devotion consisted of a short prayer, a 20-minute study of a familiar verse from the Bible, and a quiet period if waiting for directions as to where he, that day, should find use for his talent. Having heard, he would religiously go about his Father’s business, as he put it.” DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, p. 314.

Dr. Bob’s wife, Anne Ripley Smith wrote in the journal that she kept and shared with early AAs and their families (See Dick B., Anne Smith’s Journal 1933-1999, 3rd ed,:

“The conditions for an effective Quiet Time—through whole-heartedly giving oneself to Jesus Christ by: (a) willingness to let go every known sin; (b) maintaining right relationship with all men; (c) willingness to make restitution; and (d) adherence to the Four Absolutes by seeking God, waiting upon God, obedience to the Will of God;, and belief in prayer according to the Word. P. 110.

“Prayer. Why not answered? Until we are ready to fulfill the conditions the deepest wishes of our heart cannot be realized. Intercessory prayer—pray that Spirit may tell you what to pray for. . . . A way to find God’s will not to change it. . . . Right orientation of soul towards God. Conceive God as Father and it is not unnatural to lay before Him our hopes and needs—interest—fears. . . . Petitionary prayer—These we submit not because we distrust his goodness or desire to bend His will but because He is our Friend. . . . If we do not find ourselves desiring to pray for others as we pray for ourselves, we are not traveling in the right direction. . . . Correct me—direct—praise—adoration and thanksgiving—Romans II. p. 114.

Of course the Bible ought to be the main Source Book of all. No day out to pass without reading it.” p. 82.

The Rest of the Story

We’ll shortly illustrate how the Biblical truths and procedures were changed to something very different and gave rise to new concepts of “listening,” “journaling,” and “checking.” These later ideas were drawn from Oxford Group teachings and in turn were replaced with A.A.’s Eleventh Step suggestions for “prayer and meditation.” And even these suggestions yielded to “reflections” books, “Twenty Four Hour” books, and “meditation” ideas that were still farther in form and substance from the simple, early A.A. practices.

Gloria Deo

dickb@dickb.com; 808 874 4875; http://www.dickb.com