Traditional Language: Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.

The EDA Big Book writes that in Step 7, we realize that we can’t will ourselves to be free of our old thought and behavior patterns, just like we can’t just will ourselves into recovery. Instead, the we are called upon to ‘replace old patterns of thought and behavior with meaningful action.”

Charlotte Kasl writes “The wisdom behind these words is the belief that transformation is possible. Change is, to some degree, a mystical experience, but it also comes from willful acts… Its a balance of the two. We can take action to change, yet the timing and the way it happens remains to some degree a mystery.” She reminds us that change definitely won’t come from obsessive thinking about our own perceptions of our flaws, shortcomings or things we feel shame about. Instead, we can take positive action. Dragging our secrets and areas of shame into the light and being honest about them (like in steps 4 and 5) is a positive action. Positive, willful action can also look like: going to a group, to therapy, building friendships and community relationships, taking active steps to increase recovery behaviors (whatever that looks like for you), pursuing any hobby or activity that brings you joy, etc. In short, getting out into the world and living full lives becomes a ‘living prayer’ that will, over time and possibly in mysterious ways,’ move us further and further from our eating disorders.

The EDA Big Book offers a version of a 7th step prayer (slightly adapted below) or meditation and recommends that everyone adapts a version of it that works for them to repeat whenever they find themselves dwelling on perceived shortcomings:

I recognize and accept that I have been living with many concerns that have held me back from living a present and authentic life in service to the greater good. I now let go of worry about my perceived shortcomings and I choose to focus instead on serving effectively and living a full life. I trust that as I focus more on my service than on my issues, the authenticity, integrity, dedication, and skills that my service requires will grow stronger.