Dr Bob’s Story of the AA Camel

Dr Bob, physician and a cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, would explain prayer by telling how the camels in a caravan would kneel down in the evening and the men would unload their burdens. In the morning, they would kneel down again and the men would put their burdens back on.

“It’s the same with prayer. We get on our knees to unload at night and in the morning when we get on our knees again. God gives us just the load we are able to carry for that day."

Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers (1980), page 229

The Alcoholics Anonymous Camel symbol:

The camel each day goes twice to his knees.
He picks up his load with the greatest of ease.
He walks through the day with his head held high.
And stays for that day, completely dry.

Spiritual Principles

  • Prayer

  • Faith

  • Spirituality

  • Sobriety – One day at a time.

Camel Prayer:

"The tasks of the day can pass with ease
when a camel or I start on our knees.
One Master we serve, the camel and I,
and stay for that day completely dry."