"We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only. We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn't work. You can easily see why."
As far as analysis of this paragraph, I'd like to break it in two. The main reason being that the second half has some specific instructions that I have heard others interpret in curious ways and I can see ambiguity in it. More later. The first half is pretty straight forward.
"We usually conclude the period of meditation with a prayer that we be shown all through the day what our next step is to be, that we be given whatever we need to take care of such problems. We ask especially for freedom from self-will, and are careful to make no request for ourselves only."
Pretty straight forward if you ask me, and a literal translation of the second half of the step "...praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry it out."
It's kind of a summary of the 3rd and 7th step prayers with the addition of one very important word "only".
"We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped. "
Given that the step says only, I believe this has to mean something simple like:
"Please grant me strength so that I can be of use to others.".
I've heard it interpreted as:
"Please help heal my grandmother.".
I had a sponsor once who suggested that if you tack:
"... if it be thy will ..." you'd be okay.
Hmmm... That doesn't sound like asking for knowledge of God's will to me, no matter how noble the plea may be.
Perhaps an alternative is:
"Please grant my grandmother strength (physical, mental and spiritual) during her long illness.".
"We are careful never to pray for our own selfish ends. Many of us have wasted a lot of time doing that and it doesn't work. You can easily see why."
Not sure about you but I can't easily see why - not from this paragraph at least. Perhaps what is meant here is that we can go out and try it for ourselves (self-seeking prayer) and see what the results are.
My experience has taught me the truth of this statement, with painful consequences - especially when it comes to relationships.
My experience of wishing, praying, willing, orchestrating, manipulating or just a simple innocent "hoping" for something that I think will be good for me, validates the adage:
"Be careful what you pray for, because you might just get it!"
