Resentment (Sick Man’s) Prayer
Compassion in place of anger
This was our course: We realized that the people who wronged us were perhaps spiritually sick. Though we did not like their symptoms and the way these disturbed us, they, like ourselves, were sick too. We asked God to help us show them the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. When a person offended we said to ourselves, “This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him? God save me from being angry. Thy will be done.”
From Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), page 67. Quoted with attribution. © A.A. World Services, Inc.
From the Recovery Prayers on Colors in Recoveryhttps://colorsinrecovery.com/prayers/resentment-prayer/© 2026 Colors in Recovery / JC M. All rights reserved. The prayer’s wording belongs to its source above.
“God” can mean whatever higher power you are working with. Take your time. There is no right way to say it.
If this stirs up more than you can sit with, see the crisis and recovery resources, or Urge Help if an urge is close.