The Serenity Prayer

During a particularly challenging time in my life about ten years ago, I purchased a beautiful framed copy of the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr. It is a widely known prayer- popular in 12 step programs. I have found it helps me to “let go and let God” when life’s challenges seem too big and overwhelming. This prayer helps to center me and give me peace.

The popular abbreviated version goes like this:

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

The full original copy:

God, give us grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that you will make all things right,

If I surrender to your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen

(taken from http://www.thevoiceforlove.com/serenity-prayer.html)

Advertisements