The Power of Two Way Prayer - by Father Bill W (Paperback)

About the Book

"A tool for those in addiction recovery, and anyone seeking spiritual growth, that explains how to listen to God who has a message for each person to become who they are meant to be. Two way prayer is an extension of the 11th step of AA to use prayer and meditation to improve a connection with God on the journey to sobriety. The practice has emerged as a valuable part of the addiction recovery process and has been validated in scientific studies. Priest and recovering alcoholic, Fr. Bill W. offers detailed, step-by-step instructions as well as sample writings that demonstrate how practical, intimate, and transforming this type of prayer can be. At the heart of the practice, there is dedicated morning devotion and quiet time, where a person asks for spiritual guidance, pauses and listens for the answer, and begins writing down the guidance that is received. It is this practical approach to prayer through listening and writing that provides a spiritual awakening, since any guidance received must be carried into action as a way to be of service. Readers will be shown how the practice can be shared and how it will comfort and guide them one day at a time as they embark on a deeper and more transformative phase of their recovery journey"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A powerful extension of the 11th step of AA that uses prayer and meditation to improve your connection with God on the journey to sobriety.

Priest and recovering alcoholic, Fr. Bill W. offers detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to enter into Two Way Prayer. At the heart of the practice, there is dedicated morning devotion and quiet time, where you ask for spiritual guidance, pause and listen for the answer, and begin writing down the guidance that is received. It is this practical approach to prayer through listening and writing that provides a spiritual awakening, since any guidance received must be carried into action as a way to be of service. You will learn how this practice can comfort and guide you one day at a time as you embark on a deeper and more transformative phase of your recovery journey.

Review Quotes

"A must-read for all members of Twelve-Step programs and indeed all who are on a spiritual journey and seeking a deeper relationship with their true Self!"

"Father Bill W.'s book is a wonderful description of a piece of AA history that I didn't know. I highly recommend this book as a supplement to what we already know about recovery practice and therapy."

"The practice of Two Way Prayer is a pearl of great price. I'm grateful to Fr. Bill W. for unearthing this treasure and sharing it so generously. It has expanded my prayer life exponentially."


"This book is the most detailed and extensive 'deep dive' into Step Eleven I have ever read. It explains how Step Eleven was practiced during the early days of the Twelve Step movement when we had a 50-75% recovery rate from alcoholism."

"What is the Higher Power to whom I give my life? Two Way Prayer invites the reader to discover the power of conversation with that which is greater than can be imagined. It helps the reader experience subtle shifts that lead to more profound changes in heart and mind. If you are seeking to find deliverance from that which ails you, or you are a wizened twelve stepper, I encourage you to pick this book up as it will help give words to the serenity you seek."

"What we find in these pages reminds me that the arc of lifelong recovery is a journey demanding commitment, faith, and practical wisdom; thanks to Fr. Bill for showing fellow travelers like me how it works and how to work it along our way."

"A must-read for all members of Twelve-Step programs and indeed all who are on a spiritual journey and seeking a deeper relationship with their true Self!"-- "Ian Mc Cabe, Ph.D., Psy.D. author of Carl Jung and Alcoholics Anonymous"

"Father Bill W.'s book is a wonderful description of a piece of AA history that I didn't know. I highly recommend this book as a supplement to what we already know about recovery practice and therapy."-- "Linda Farris Kurtz, author of Recovery Groups: A Guide to Creating, Leading, and Working with Groups for Addictions and Mental Health Conditions, Professor Emeritus, Eastern Michigan University"

"The practice of Two Way Prayer is a pearl of great price. I'm grateful to Fr. Bill W. for unearthing this treasure and sharing it so generously. It has expanded my prayer life exponentially."
-- "Jeff Jay, CIP and author of Love First"

"This book is the most detailed and extensive 'deep dive' into Step Eleven I have ever read. It explains how Step Eleven was practiced during the early days of the Twelve Step movement when we had a 50-75% recovery rate from alcoholism."-- "Wally P., author of Back to Basics and Listening to God"

"What is the Higher Power to whom I give my life? Two Way Prayer invites the reader to discover the power of conversation with that which is greater than can be imagined. It helps the reader experience subtle shifts that lead to more profound changes in heart and mind. If you are seeking to find deliverance from that which ails you, or you are a wizened twelve stepper, I encourage you to pick this book up as it will help give words to the serenity you seek."-- "C. Andrew Doyle, IX Bishop of the Diocese of Texas and author of Unabashed Faith"

"What we find in these pages reminds me that the arc of lifelong recovery is a journey demanding commitment, faith, and practical wisdom; thanks to Fr. Bill for showing fellow travelers like me how it works and how to work it along our way."-- "William Cope Moyers, author of Broken, My Story of Addiction and Redemption, and VP Public Affairs & Community Relations, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation"