Prayer: The Serenity Prayer

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. ~ Reinhold Niebuhr

 Be Still and know that I am God. ~ Psalm 46:10

 For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, as God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. ~ James 1:5
The Serenity prayer perhaps is almost as well-known as The Lord's Prayer, and while it has been used mostly by 12-step groups, it was originally from a sermon by the 20th century theologian Reinhold Niebuhr and is longer than the prayer we are most accustomed to.

 It is a prayer that is life-giving for anyone, no matter where you find yourself in life, whether you are in AA, or whether the addiction you face is one less definable. For most of us have something we need to let go of so we can follow on to the place God would lead us.

 It is a prayer that takes us on a journey or discovery. First, we must slow down and listen. Let peace overtake us and be present with God and accept God as being in the lead.

 Then, in that state of peace, we dig deep for courage to face what we must face and go where we must go. We were made for courage, and true courage is moving forward even when we are afraid and unsure of where we are going.

 It is perhaps the last part of the prayer that is the most difficult. At least for me.

 Figuring out what it is I can and can't change or control can take a lifetime of practice.

 What step is most difficult for you? Serenity? Courage? Wisdom?

 Take a deep breath. Offer up this prayer and see if just maybe you find the resources you need to go forward.

 Prayer: God grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I should, and wisdom to know the difference.

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