The Serenity Prayer

For many, God is a guiding force in their life.

Prayer is one of the best ways to communicate with Him. As a Christian drug rehab in South Florida, we strongly believe in the power of prayer for healing, including while recovering from addiction. One such prayer that is used frequently during the recovery process is the Serenity Prayer.

What is The Serenity Prayer?

The Serenity Prayer is a specific prayer that is often attributed to theologian Reinhold Niebuhr but may have been written earlier.¹ Regardless of the Serenity Prayer’s exact origin, it quickly grew in popularity and has become one of the most well-known prayers in the world. It was later adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 step programs and used regularly in meetings to help people in recovery from addiction.

While many people only quote the first few lines, the full Serenity Prayer is as follows:

“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. 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.”

What Does the Serenity Prayer Mean for Recovery?

The Serenity Prayer is not specific to recovery from substance abuse, but it is often used in this context because it applies well to what many people in recovery go through.

The first few lines, “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” are sometimes the only lines people will recite. With recovery in mind, these lines take on a special meaning. The recovering addict is asking God for guidance and relinquishing some control of circumstance, an important aspect of progressing through the 12-Step program. The next few lines of the Serenity Prayer talk about this control in more detail. While they may have gone through treatment and gotten sober, there are still events from their past they cannot change, a fact many recovering addicts struggle with. Also, in early recovery especially, the recovering addict may face trials and tribulations out of their hands. While so much is out of their control, there are still matters they can control: their actions, their attitude, and their sobriety. The Serenity Prayer is a reminder that when you can learn to accept what can and cannot be changed, you can move forward peacefully in life.

While not always used, the remaining lines of the Serenity Prayer hold other important lessons for people in recovery. Because the first few months following drug or alcohol addiction treatment can be trying, “Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time” is an important reminder for people to take recovery day-to-day as it makes it both more manageable as well as more enjoyable. These trying times in early recovery should also be seen as a “pathway to peace” and better days, achieved through long-term sobriety and accepting “this sinful world as it is.” Finally, the Serenity Prayer ends with more lines about submitting to God’s power to reap the benefits in heaven. These closing lines reinforce the idea that through God’s guidance and grace, one can someone fully heal and find happiness.

Who created the Serenity Prayer, and when did it become popular?

The Serenity Prayer, often attributed to theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, may have origins that predate its popular attribution. Despite the ambiguity surrounding its exact inception, it is widely agreed that Niebuhr crafted this poignant prayer during the 1930s. It quickly resonated across various communities, embedding itself as a cornerstone of spiritual guidance. By the time it was formally printed in the 1944 Book of Prayers and Services for the Armed Forces, its adoption was already widespread among church groups, marking its ascent to prominence. Regardless of the Serenity Prayer’s precise origin, it rapidly grew in popularity and has since become one of the most well-known prayers globally, cherished for its profound simplicity and depth.

Why is it important to accept hardships as a pathway to peace according to the prayer?

These trying times in early recovery should also be seen as a 'pathway to peace' and better days, achieved through long-term sobriety and accepting 'this sinful world as it is.' Indeed, as Viktor Frankl so eloquently stated, the one freedom that cannot be taken from us is our ability to choose our response. In the face of adversity, we are presented with a profound opportunity to choose how we react—whether with anger and resentment or with a spirit of growth and peace. By accepting hardships not just as inevitable but as opportunities for personal transformation, we can transcend our immediate struggles and cultivate a lasting inner peace. This perspective encourages us to embrace life's challenges as lessons in resilience and serenity, teaching us to find balance and harmony within ourselves even when external circumstances are tumultuous.

How does the prayer emphasize the importance of living in the present moment?

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. This prayer, deeply rooted in a philosophy of serene acceptance, encourages us to embrace the present moment fully. It teaches us to handle life's challenges with grace and to trust in a higher power. By focusing on living 'one day at a time' and 'enjoying one moment at a time', the prayer underscores the importance of appreciating the now, without being overwhelmed by past regrets or future anxieties. It reminds us that peace comes from accepting life's hardships as they are, not as we wish them to be, and that true happiness is found in surrendering to divine will, trusting that all will be well. This way, we can achieve not only reasonable happiness in our temporal existence but also eternal joy in the life to come.

What is the role of courage and wisdom in achieving serenity of mind according to the 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." This profound prayer encapsulates the essential virtues required for achieving peace of mind. It is not merely a request for peace; it is a plea for the strength and discernment necessary to foster that peace.

Courage, as highlighted in the prayer, is crucial for initiating necessary changes in our lives. It requires boldness to confront and rectify our past mistakes, and even more so, to resist temptations that lead us away from our path of recovery and growth, such as the refusal of an offered drink or an illicit drug. This type of courage is transformative, enabling us to actively shape our lives and environment.

Wisdom, on the other hand, plays a complementary role by empowering us with the insight to discern our limits—recognizing which aspects of our lives we are capable of changing and accepting those we cannot. This discernment is crucial because it prevents us from expending energy on futile endeavors, thereby maintaining our focus and conserving our energies for achievable goals.

Moreover, the invocation of God or a Higher Power in the prayer suggests a reliance on a spiritual guide to bestow the wisdom and fortitude needed. This spiritual aspect underscores that the journey to serenity is not solely a personal quest but often involves seeking external support to illuminate the path forward.

In essence, the prayer not only seeks serenity but also the wisdom to identify actions within our control and the courage to undertake these actions despite potential obstacles. This holistic approach is what cultivates true serenity of mind, as it involves both acceptance and proactive change.

How does the Serenity Prayer encourage individuals to let go of ego, fear, and false sense of control?

The recovering addict is asking God for guidance and relinquishing some control of circumstance, an important aspect of progressing through the 12-Step program. It is crucial for individuals to understand that while they may have gone through treatment and achieved sobriety, they must also come to terms with the events from their past that remain unchangeable, a reality that many in recovery find challenging. Furthermore, especially in the early stages of recovery, individuals may encounter trials and tribulations that are beyond their control. It is during these moments of uncertainty that individuals can find solace in recognizing the aspects within their control: their actions, their attitude, and their commitment to sobriety. By embracing this understanding and acknowledging the limitations of their control, individuals can navigate the journey of recovery with a sense of empowerment and resilience.

How does the Serenity Prayer promote an active approach to facing life's challenges and making positive changes?

The Serenity Prayer, a powerful mantra embraced by many on their journey towards recovery, encapsulates a profound message that resonates deeply with those seeking inner peace and positive transformation. The opening lines, '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,' hold a special significance for individuals navigating the complexities of recovery. These words serve as a beacon of guidance, urging the individual to surrender control to a higher power and to embrace the process of discerning between what is within their realm of influence and what lies beyond their reach.

Furthermore, the subsequent lines of the Serenity Prayer expound upon this theme of acceptance and empowerment. For many individuals in recovery, the specter of past mistakes and uncontrollable circumstances can loom large, casting a shadow over their progress. Yet, amidst these challenges, the Serenity Prayer offers a gentle reminder of the agency that individuals still retain in shaping their present and future. By acknowledging the limitations of their control, individuals are encouraged to focus their efforts on areas where they can effect change: their actions, their mindset, and their commitment to sobriety.

In essence, the Serenity Prayer serves as a roadmap for those seeking to navigate life's obstacles with grace and resilience. By internalizing its teachings and embodying its principles of acceptance, courage, and wisdom, individuals can forge a path towards personal growth, peace, and lasting transformation.

At Faith in Recovery, we offer Christian therapies for addiction to help our patients not only find recovery but also find God on their sobriety journey. The Serenity Prayer is one of many programs we use to help our patients strengthen their faith and find spiritual healing.

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If you or a loved one is looking for help for an addiction that is faith-focused, reach out to us today at 888-280-4763.

Sources:

1. The New York Times- Serenity Prayer Stirs Up Doubt: Who Wrote It?