Step 7 of AA: Remove Our Shortcomings (+ Free Worksheet)

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What Is Step 7 in AA?

Put simply Step 7 in AA is about practicing humility and asking a Higher Power for help in letting go of the flaws and character defects that hold you back. Rather than relying solely on your own willpower Step 7 in AA teaches that recovery requires faith, openness and trust beyond self-reliance.

When AA Step 7 is explained within the bigger picture, following Step 6, where you become willing and ready to release your shortcomings. Now, in Step 7, you take action by humbly asking for that change to begin.

This step also sets the stage for Step 8 where you prepare to make amends to others. In this way, Step 7 in Alcoholics Anonymous bridges inner transformation with outward healing, reminding you that progress and not perfection is your goal.

Download our free Step 7 Worksheet with “Progress, not perfection” daily practices that help you stay focused on your recovery.

Pair this with the Step 6 Worksheet so you are ready to let go of what has been holding you back.

Humbly Asked Him to Remove Our Shortcomings (Explained)

The official wording of Step 7 in AA is: “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.” Each word in this phrase carries meaning that helps you better understand the spiritual and practical work of this step.

By breaking down this step word by word, you begin to understand what Step 7 means in AA. It becomes less intimidating and more approachable, demonstrating that this stage is about growth, not about being perfect.

“Humbly”: This points to an attitude of openness and honesty. Humility is not weakness or self-degradation. It’s about being willing to let go of pride and accept help.
“Asked”: Recovery requires action. This word reminds you that change begins with an active request, not a passive wish. Asking for help is part of the healing process.
“Him” (Higher Power): In Alcoholics Anonymous, “Him” does not have a specific religion or God. It represents a Higher Power as you understand it. This is something greater than yourself that you can trust for guidance and strength.
“Shortcomings”: These are the traits, habits and behaviors that hold you back in recovery. AA shortcomings are not moral failings but challenges that, with help, you can gradually release. Common examples include impatience, resentment, selfishness, fear, dishonesty or anger.

The Principle of Step 7: Humility

At its core, AA Step 7 explains one spiritual principle: humility. In recovery, humility is the willingness to see yourself clearly, thus acknowledging your strengths while being honest about your weaknesses.

It’s not about shame or putting yourself down, but about letting go of pride and becoming teachable.

What’s the difference between humility and humiliation? Humility is a chosen attitude of openness and honesty, while humiliation is a painful experience of being forced to feel shame. Step 7 reminds you that humility is empowering, not degrading.

Practicing humility also prepares you for the next stage of recovery. By asking a Higher Power to remove the shortcomings AA describes, you clear the path to accomplish Step 8, where humility allows you to approach amends with sincerity and courage.

This means humility isn’t just about letting go but it’s also about building the foundation for healing your relationships.

The 7th Step Prayer in AA

What is the 7th Step Prayer of AA? It is a spiritual tool and a practical guide for seeking strength beyond yourself and is found in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (p. 76).

It reads:

“My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.”

This Step 7 prayer is often recited as part of daily practice, during meetings or in private reflection. Many members find that repeating the Step Seven Prayer in AA helps reinforce humility and willingness to let go of their shortcomings.

When you prefer a secular approach, alternatives should focus on growth and progress. The key is consistency and the act of humbly asking for change remains central. These approaches can include:

Meditation
Mindfulness practices
Gratitude practices
Reflections or readings
Affirmations

Progress Not Perfection

A common phrase in Alcoholics Anonymous is “progress, not perfection.” But what does progress, not perfection, mean? It’s the reminder that recovery is a journey, not a test you must pass without mistakes. Perfection isn’t the goa: steady growth, one day at a time, is.

In the context of Step 7, this principle is especially important. When you humbly ask a Higher Power to remove your shortcomings, the focus isn’t on instantly erasing every flaw. Instead, it’s about being open to gradual change, learning from setbacks, and building resilience.

By embracing progress, not perfection, you free yourself from unrealistic expectations and allow humility to guide your growth.

How to Do Step 7 in AA

How to do Step 7 in AA can feel less overwhelming when it is broken down into simple actions. Step 7 builds directly on the readiness you develop from completing Step 6.

Understanding how to do Steps 6 and 7 in AA is key to completing the 12 step program. It is about consistency rather than perfection. The goal isn’t to become flawless, but to keep growing with humility and willingness. Here’s a practical way to approach the process:

Review your defects from Step 6: Look back at the shortcomings you identified and recognize the ones you’re ready to release.
Pray or meditate with humility: Use the Step 7 prayer or a secular alternative to ask your Higher Power for guidance and strength.
Journal or reflect on letting go of control: Writing about your willingness to surrender can deepen your self-awareness.
Share with your sponsor for accountability: Talking through your experience makes the process more real and less isolating.
Practice humility in daily actions: Apply humility in small ways, like admitting mistakes, listening more or serving others.

Step 7 Worksheet: Free Download + How to Use It

Working through a Step 7 AA worksheet can make this part of recovery more tangible and practical. Whether you’re in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous (where the NA 7th Step follows the same principle), a worksheet helps you organize your thoughts and stay accountable.

Walking through Steps 6 and 7 together provides insight, guidance, and accountability, ensuring you’re not doing the work in isolation. A typical AA Step 7 worksheet includes:

Review of defects from Step 6: In this step, you carry forward the list you created earlier.
Guided prayer and meditation prompts: The worksheet offers the space to use the 7th Step Prayer or secular alternatives.
Shortcomings checklist: The worksheet provides space to write common traits like fear, resentment, dishonesty or pride.
Reflection questions: You have room to answer questions, such as “Where am I still holding control instead of letting go?”
Humility practice exercises: Humility doesn’t always come easily. The worksheet offers simple daily actions to reinforce openness and growth.
How to use it: You can complete the worksheet on your own through prayer or journaling, but it’s often most effective when shared with a sponsor.

Download our free AA Step 7 Worksheet or try using Step 6 and Step 7 Worksheets together to track your progress and work more effectively with your sponsor.

Shortcomings in AA

In recovery, AA shortcomings are not moral failures but are traits and behaviors that block your personal growth. These patterns often keep you stuck in old habits and prevent you from building healthy relationships.

Naming and recognizing common shortcomings in AA is the foundation for Step 7, allowing you to ask your Higher Power for help in letting them go. Here are a few Step 7 examples of how shortcomings can show up in daily life:

Pride: Refusing help from others even when you’re struggling.
Anger: Lashing out at family or friends instead of talking openly.
Dishonesty: Hiding drinking or drug use from an employer.
Fear: Avoiding important conversations or opportunities because of anxiety.
Self-pity: Focusing only on your own struggles instead of showing gratitude.

Common Challenges with Step 7

Even when Step 7 AA is explained clearly, you may encounter some of the following challenges.

Fear of losing control: A common worry is, “How do I let go of control?” Recovery often means surrendering old patterns and trusting a process bigger than yourself. The solution is starting small, practicing being “willing to be willing” and letting go one step at a time.
Struggle with Higher Power: What if I don’t believe in God? In AA, your Higher Power doesn’t have to be a traditional deity. It can be the fellowship, nature or any source of strength greater than self-will. Secular practices like meditation, affirmations or mindfulness can be powerful tools.
Shame vs humility: Shame says you are unworthy, while humility says you are open to change. Remember, Step 7 is about releasing shortcomings, not condemning yourself.

Step 7 in NA (Narcotics Anonymous)

Just like in Alcoholics Anonymous, NA Step 7 emphasizes humility and the willingness to let go of destructive patterns. In Narcotics Anonymous, the wording is slightly different, but the principle is the same.

The NA 7th Step focuses on surrendering traits like fear, dishonesty or resentment, while cultivating humility as a strength rather than a weakness. The language in NA may be broader, but the application is parallel, acknowledging shortcomings, asking for their removal and continuing to grow in recovery.

Both programs remind you that Step 7 is not about achieving perfection but about being open, teachable and willing to change.

Step 6 and Step 7: How They Work Together

Steps 6 and 7 are often taught simultaneously because they naturally flow together. Step 6 is about readiness and becoming willing to release the behaviors that no longer serve you. Step 7 is about humility, asking a Higher Power for help in actually removing those shortcomings.

In many study guides, such as Dropping the Rock, Steps 6 and 7 are paired, demonstrating that willingness and action are inseparable. You first prepare your heart and mind in Step 6, then put that readiness into practice in Step 7.

How to do Steps 6 and 7 in AA begins by being willing to change, then asking for help with humility. This process reminds you that recovery is both an internal decision and an outward act of surrender.

Dropping the Rock (Metaphor for Steps 6 & 7)

One of the most popular recovery guides explains Steps 6 and 7 through the story of Dropping the Rock. This metaphor illustrates that becoming willing to release what weighs you down (Step 6) and humbly asking for help to let go (Step 7) can free you to move toward recovery, community and growth.

A group of AA members is in a boat.
One member is left on the dock. She jumps into the water and tries to catch the boat.
Swimming, she begins sinking under the weight of a hidden burden.
This rock represents shortcomings, like fear, resentment, pride and dishonesty.
The only way to move forward is to let it go and drop the rock.
Once free of this burden, the swimmer can reach the boat and celebrate with her companions.

FAQs About Step 7 of AA

What Does “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings” Mean?

It means approaching recovery with humility and asking a Higher Power for help in letting go of negative traits or behaviors. This step emphasizes willingness, openness and trust, rather than achieving perfection.

What is the 7th Step Prayer?

The 7th Step Prayer in AA asks a Higher Power to remove character defects that block usefulness to others. It begins, “My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad…” and acknowledges humility, surrender and daily guidance.

Do I Have to Believe in God to Do Step 7?

No, in AA, “God” or “Him” refers to a Higher Power of your own understanding. For some, that’s God; for others, it may be the AA fellowship, nature or inner strength. Step 7 is about humility, willingness and letting go, not about a religious belief.

What’s The Difference Between Humility and Humiliation?

Humility is a chosen attitude of openness, honesty and willingness to change. Humiliation, by contrast, is being forced into shame or embarrassment.

In Step 7, humility is empowering as it helps you ask for help and grow, while humiliation is disempowering and not part of the recovery process.

How Do I Know If I’ve Done Step 7 Right?

You’ve completed Step 7 when you sincerely ask your Higher Power to remove your shortcomings with humility and willingness. There’s no “perfect” way. Progress is revealed in gradual change, honesty and openness to growth, not in instant transformation or flawlessness.

What Does “Progress Not Perfection” Mean in Step 7?

It means recovery is about steady growth, not flawlessness. In Step 7, asking for help doesn’t instantly erase shortcomings. Instead, you practice humility, learn from setbacks and celebrate small improvements. This is a gradual process, not a demand for perfection.

What Comes after Step 7?

After practicing humility in Step 7, the journey continues with Step 8, where you make a list of people you’ve harmed and willingly make amends. This prepares you for Step 9, where amends are carried out. Step 6 built readiness, Step 7 asked humbly, and Step 8 moves recovery outward.

Find Meetings & Professional Help

Recovery is not a journey you take alone. Find AA meetings near you to connect with others who understand and support your path.

For added care, consider professional treatment options such as detox, inpatient, or outpatient programs. Reaching out today can be the next step toward lasting change.

Explore All 12 Steps of AA

Ready to progress on your journey?

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By Gayle Morris

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sylvie Stacy

Gayle Morris, BSN, MSN has over two decades of nursing practice with a clinical focus on rehabilitation medicine. She has published and lectured throughout her nursing and writing career. In the last 15 years, she has directed her energy and passion to create content that informs and educates readers with the goal of improving overall physical and mental health.

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Sylvie Stacy, MD, MPH, Medical Officer at Rehab.com, is a board-certified addiction medicine specialist with over a decade of experience treating individuals with addictions in diverse clinical settings including residential treatment programs, detox centers, outpatient clinics, and correctional facilities.

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