The Serenity Prayer is a well-known and beloved prayer that seeks God’s peace, acceptance, and wisdom, especially during challenging times. It’s often used in recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, but its message resonates with anyone seeking calm and clarity in life’s difficult moments.
Here’s the full version of the Serenity Prayer:
Serenity Prayer (Short Version)
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.
Serenity Prayer (Full Version)
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 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.
Reflection on the Serenity Prayer
The Serenity Prayer teaches three essential virtues:
- Serenity: Finding peace in situations that are beyond our control.
- Courage: Having the bravery to make changes where we can.
- Wisdom: Knowing the difference between what we can change and what we cannot.
This prayer helps foster peace, patience, and trust in God’s plan, encouraging us to surrender control where necessary and take action when needed, all while finding inner calm. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and acceptance in facing life’s struggles.