Origin of the Serenity Prayer
Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr is universally attributed as the author of what we know as “The Serenity Prayer.” Its promotion was likely from a diary excerpt from Niebuhr’s student and collaborator, Winnifred Crane Wygal. Wygal placed the prayer in newspaper articles as early as the 1930s and then, in an altered form, in a book of worship in 1940.
Over the years, different versions of the prayer have been published. The Serenity Prayer can be found in either the common shortened form or the more extended, full version with portions of language altered.
The Serenity Prayer
O God grant me...
the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference,Amen.
Full Version of Serenity Prayer
The most well-known version was published in 1951 with the addition of the word “grace.” This full version reads:
God, give me 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.
5 Principles of Serenity in the Bible
The Serenity Prayer is a petition to God asking for calmness and peace in all life matters. It asks for strength and courage to alter the matters within a person’s control and for acceptance in matters which cannot be changed. Ultimately, the prayer requests the ability to identify which circumstances are amenable to change.
1. God directs us.
Proverbs 20:24 teaches us, “A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?”
God’s righteousness and providence control a person’s paths, steps, and directions. The believer must accept His direction and influence before inner calmness and peace can be experienced.
2. There are some things we cannot change.
Titus 3:9 teaches us to “avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
Man cannot change his family tree, science, or factual history. Debating and questioning factual matters are of no practical consequence and only result in confusion and unrest.
3. We need God’s help to discern wisely.
In Matthew 16:3, it is written, “[a]nd in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”
From this scripture, we are told it is easy to observe what is readily visible by the eye, but the meaning behind what’s obvious is not always understood. The weather cannot be altered regardless of human attempts to control it. However, one can prepare and make decisions based on precise objective observations.
4. The power to overcome sin comes from God.
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:12-14).
The person without the Holy Spirit (the unbeliever) may believe the lie that they are hopelessly unable to control the urges to abuse alcohol because of a genetic predisposition for substance abuse.
The believer with the Holy Spirit would agree that one cannot control sinful urges within their own strength and power (Hebrews 2:17-18). The believer realizes the power to overcome sinful desires of the flesh is only by and through the Spirit of God (Romans 8:12-13).
5. We must surrender to God’s good ways, not continue in our sinful ways.
The Serenity Prayer affirms that the desires of men and the will of God do not always match, asking God to guide us in all things.
The prophet Isaiah in 55:8-9, boldly declares, “[f]or my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
The Serenity Prayer in Alcoholics Anonymous
The recovery group, Alcoholics Anonymous, incorporates the abridged form of the Serenity Prayer in its 12-step program, viewing the road to full recovery as a spiritual journey. The prayer provides spiritual encouragement to willing participants by breaking down each essential step to recovery. The first is acceptance.
Upon joining Alcoholics Anonymous, the participant accepts the negative presence and power that alcohol has in her or her life. Any damage or harm done in the alcoholic’s life up to the present point cannot be altered or amended. The prayer requests wisdom to determine what can and cannot be changed. This knowledge and application force the participant to realize he or she cannot control the urges or the effects of alcohol on his or her body but has the power to control the act of consuming alcoholic beverages in excess or placing oneself in places or circumstances detrimental to sobriety.
Scriptures of Serenity for Wisdom and Courage
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." ~ Psalm 1
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." ~ James 1:5
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." ~ Colossians 3:16
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." ~ James 3:17
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13
"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" ~ Psalm 27:14
Chadis a believer in Christ, attorney at law, wannabe golfer, runner, dog lover, and writer. He enjoys serving his church as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and at his golf devotion par3sixteen.com. He and his wife Brandi reside in Tennessee with their canine son Alistair.
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This article is part of Christianity.com's prayer answers, including famous, topical prayers and information about the power of prayer. Find more related articles in the collection of prayers below:
The Serenity Prayer, The Lord's Prayer, Morning Prayers, Prayers for Healing, Thanksgiving Prayers, Advent Prayers, Christmas Prayers, Prayers for Peace, Prayers for Protection, Prayers for Strength, Praying in the Spirit.
FAQs
The Serenity Prayer: "God grant me the Serenity to..."? ›
It is commonly quoted as: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
What is the full prayer of the Serenity Prayer? ›God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference, living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; taking this world as it is and not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your ...
What is the full serenity prayer in the big book? ›God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. Our Fellowship's Serenity Prayer can be recited either in the first (I, me) or third (us, we) person.
What Psalm is the Serenity Prayer? ›For our purposes, there are three ways Psalm 131 shows us how to be a creature of serenity.
What are the 3 powerful prayers? ›The prayer of protection. The prayer of transformation. The prayer of restoration.
What is the 12 step serenity prayer? ›Serenity Prayer
In its short and most common form in 12 step groups... God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Not many people have heard the AA Serenity Prayer before they first attend an AA meeting…but once it's in your life, it never leaves.
What is the Serenity Prayer quote? ›God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Which religion wrote Serenity Prayer? ›Now the Serenity Prayer is about to endure a controversy over its authorship that is likely to be anything but serene. For more than 70 years, the composer of the prayer was thought to be the Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, one of modern Christianity's towering figures.
Who wrote the original Serenity Prayer? ›He was a German-American theologian and Christian ethicist named Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971), and he penned the original words of what became the serenity prayer in 1932.
What is the Bible verse for serenity? ›
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” “In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!” “And he said, 'O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.
What is the Serenity Prayer in Psalm 91? ›The Serenity Prayer
To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Forever and ever in the next.
Psalms for Fear and Stress. Ps 3:5-6 “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.” Ps 6:2-4 “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
What is Jesus most famous prayer? ›The Lord's Prayer
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
The most famous example—for good reason—is the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:5–15, Luke 11:1–4), in which Jesus teaches his disciples to pray.
What is the most powerful healing prayer in the Bible? ›"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."
What prayers to say for healing? ›O Lord the oil of your healing flows through me like a living stream. I choose to bathe in these clear waters each day. I will keep my eyes on you, and trust in you that I will fully recover. I give you all that I am, and rest in your peace.
Is the serenity prayer a real prayer? ›The Serenity Prayer is a petition to God asking for calmness and peace in all matters of life. It asks for strength and courage to alter the matters within a person's control and for acceptance in matters which cannot be changed.
What is the AA bedtime prayer? ›Dear God, help me turn my spirit towards You more fully so that I can find the strength to overcome my problems. Forgive my doubts and fears of today, and fill me with your love and strength for tomorrow. In Jesus' name, amen. God, forgive me when I have been resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid today.
What is a quick prayer for anxiety? ›Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts which worry and perplex me. Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms.
What verse is for calming anxiety? ›
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
God, when a person offends me, help me to remember this is a sick person. Help me show the same tolerance, pity, and patience that we would cheerfully grant a sick friend. Show me how can I help them.
How do you accept the things I Cannot change? ›- Notice when you're fighting against reality. ...
- Remind yourself that you can't change what has already happened. ...
- Embrace your feelings. ...
- Pretend that you're accepting reality. ...
- Relax your body. ...
- Use coping statements. ...
- Know that it takes practice.
AA Serenity Prayer
and wisdom to know the difference. to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Is There A Non-religious Version Of The Serenity Prayer? The serenity prayer can be used by both religious and non-religious people. However, some may prefer to use a version that goes as: “Grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Who needs the Serenity Prayer? ›Members of Alcoholics Anonymous have enthusiastically embraced this prayer—known as the Serenity Prayer—almost from the moment they discovered it. In fact, these 25 words are heard in most every AA meeting and widely taken as a succinct statement of a path to sanity and sobriety.
Why does the Serenity Prayer work? ›It reminds the individual that there are many things that they will be able to change, and that they should take action when such actions will improve their life. The serenity prayer redirects the individual's energies away from things out of their control and towards those things that they can control.
Why is the Serenity Prayer so powerful? ›The serenity prayer is so powerful because it helps us come to terms with the situation we face, the fact that we are reliant on something that is harmful to us, and challenges us to find a way to rectify that. It gives us the hope that God can work all things together for good, like only He can.
What is the Serenity Prayer atheist? ›Grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
What does the Bible say about accepting things you Cannot change? ›It's a long prayer, but this is the part quoted most often: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Is the Serenity Prayer in the King James Version Bible? ›
Serenity prayer isn't in the bible.
Where did God grant me the serenity come from? ›The reference to the Serenity Prayer comes at the end of the article: “Originally thought in Alcoholics Anonymous to have been written by St. Francis of Assisi, it turned out on recent research to have been the work of another eminent nonalcoholic, Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr, of Union Theological Seminary.
What does serenity mean God? ›Serenity means being calm, peaceful, and still, which can only come about by focusing on Christ. Focusing on the world or the desires of the flesh will not bring serenity into our bones.
What is the secret power of Psalm 91? ›He reminds us we are not alone, even in the midst of problems or challenge, he will not let us alone. As a psalm of protection, it is commonly invoked in times of hardship; when life is draining and there seems to be no time or place to rest. This book of Psalm is reassuring, comforting and encouraging.
What is Psalms 29 11? ›Psalm 29:11 NIV
“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. ”
Psalms 107:29 in Other Translations
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 29 He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. 29 He quieted the wind down to a whisper, put a muzzle on all the big waves.
Psalm 86:15
"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."
Psalm 119:8 Prays that God Would Heal the Sick
God, we plead on his behalf. We pray, God, that you would heal his body, that you would miraculously move. God, we're asking for that. God, that you would do that which only you can do.
Psalm 46:1-3
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
It is called the "Jesus Prayer", and it consists simply in uttering the single word "Jesus" (or "Lord Jesus", or "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner") in any situation, at any time and place, either aloud or silently.
What is the most powerful Catholic prayer? ›
“The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying.” – Saint Pope Leo XIII.
What is the most powerful prayer that Jesus taught us to say? ›“He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.
What is God's favorite prayer? ›Whether in the Psalms: “For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great” (Psalm 25:11). Or in the prophets: “Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you” (Jeremiah 14:7; see also Jeremiah 14:21).
What is the shortest and most powerful prayer? ›“My Dear Uncle, ask Allah for Afiyah for Wallahi, you cannot be given anything better than Afiyah.” It is a simple Dua, Sincerely mean what you say while praying. “O Allah, I ask You to be saved from any Distress, Grief, Hardship, Harm, and don't test me, etc.”
What are the seven most powerful prayers that will change your life forever? ›In Seven Prayers, best-selling author Stormie Omartian explains how praying seven simple prayers can bring dramatic and positive changes to your life. These prayers include: Prayer of Confession, Prayer of Salvation, Prayer of Pardon, Prayer of Promise, Prayer of Submission, Prayer of Praise, and Prayer for Blessing.
What is the most uplifting Bible verse? ›"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
What is a good prayer to say everyday? ›I pray to You my Father above, that You influence all decisions I, my family, and my friends make today. You're our pillar of support and we want You to support us throughout the day by giving us the capacity. God, we need You to back all actions and decisions that surround us today. Let positivity follow us, oh Lord.
What is the best prayer for a miracle? ›Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever.
What is the original version of the Serenity Prayer? ›“The way it was originally written by Dr. Niebuhr is as follows: God give me the serenity to accept things which cannot be changed; Give me courage to change things which must be changed; And the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.
Is there a longer version of the Serenity Prayer? ›God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
How many versions of the Serenity Prayer are there? ›
The Serenity Prayer and 16 Variations.
Who wrote the full Serenity Prayer? ›Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) was a very infuential American theologian. He wrote what came to be known as the Serenity Prayer for a sermon, and used it in a variety of forms, including a longer-form poem.
What is the motto of the serenity prayer? ›The Full Serenity Prayer
To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Forever and ever in the next.
God Gives Serenity
Isaiah 26:3 tells us this truth, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” This passage of the Old Testament tells us that if we keep our minds steadfast on God and trust Him, God will keep us in perfect peace.
AA Serenity Prayer
and wisdom to know the difference. to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Serenity Prayer... 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.
What is the non religious version of the serenity prayer? ›Is There A Non-religious Version Of The Serenity Prayer? The serenity prayer can be used by both religious and non-religious people. However, some may prefer to use a version that goes as: “Grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
What is the 11th step prayer? ›Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort, than to be comforted; to understand, than to be understood; to love, than to be loved. For it is by self forgetting, that one finds.
What is the 3rd step prayer? ›God, I offer myself to Thee – To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life.”