It’s not unusual to see the abridged Serenity Prayer written on magnets, blankets, plaques, cards, stones, bookmarks, glass, and so many other things. As a daily devotional, the prayer encourages readers and believers to have faith in God, who can calm fears like he calmed the sea.
Like most people, I know and can quote the short or abbreviated version of the 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.”
These first 25 words from the unabridged prayer ask for wisdom, strength, and contentment to embrace life in a positive manner relative to things one can and cannot change.
The following is the unabridged Serenity Prayers that many may not know.
“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. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the 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 His Will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever and ever in the next. Amen”
Although not without controversy, many believe Reinhold Niebuhr, a noted American theologian, wrote the original prayer. Niebuhr included the prayer in one of his sermons.
I love the prayer because it recognizes God, the only one who can fulfill the desired request of serenity in this chaotic and troubled world.
What is serenity?
Who doesn’t want serenity?
What’s the difference between serenity and wanting peace?
Peace is the absence of external conflict or disturbance; however, serenity is more of an internal state of peace and calm. When storms and troubles come that believers cannot control or change, we can turn to prayer for inner strength and tranquility.
The prayer is helpful for anyone who believes and trusts God in navigating everyday life challenges. Recognizing what is within one’s control and what is not is an essential aspect of the prayer. Being able to distinguish between the two, what must be accepted and what one can change, makes one wise and can lead to inner peace.
The prayer aligns with many Biblical precepts, including Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
The prayer is a reminder to trust God every day, giving us the courage to face each moment and hour of the day.
Key aspects of the Serenity Prayer:
Trust and hope in God
Acceptance of things that we cannot change
Discernment and wisdom
Surrendering to God’s will for inner peace
As the prayer states, we can be reasonably happy in this life if we surrender to God’s will, trust in Him, and hope in Him for all our wants and needs.
The Serenity Prayer has been translated into various languages, including German, Finnish, French, Danish, Hebrew, Spanish, and others.
I hope you are happy and well.