The History of the Serenity Prayer & How It Can Change Your Life

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Discover the origins of the prayer, plus why it's so powerful
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The Serenity Prayer is one of the most famous prayers in the world, but where did it come from, and why is it so powerful? The full Serenity Prayer is often shortened to just the first few lines, but in this article, we’ll offer the prayer in its entirety, as well as an exploration of its origins, its popularity with addiction and recovery groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and an analysis of just why this simple prayer is so special.

The Serenity Prayer

The Serenity Prayer is commonly abridged to: 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.

Section 1 of 4:

The Full Serenity Prayer

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  1. 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 the pathway to peace, taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will, that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.
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Section 2 of 4:

Where did the Serenity Prayer come from?

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  1. Some say the prayer was composed by Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the early 1930s, while others theorize it could have been written by Aristotle, Saint Thomas Aquinas, or Saint Francis of Assisi. [1]
    • Former A.A. secretary Nell Wing observes that many popular prayers “consist of three specific ideas, a natural trinity, so to speak,” suggesting that the sentiment of the Serenity Prayer, if not the exact words, is natural, ubiquitous, and therefore, perhaps, originless.
    • In fact, the sentiment of the Serenity Prayer has appeared throughout time and in many different cultures’ writings, including ancient Sanskrit, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Persian.
  2. In 1941, the prayer appeared in an obituary in the New York Herald , and members of AA staff, inspired by the obit, began using the prayer in letters and cards and incorporating it in meetings. As one former member said, “Never had we seen so much AA in so few words.” [2]
    • The prayer, which was up until now untitled, began to be known as “the AA prayer” because of its strong associations with the group, but by the late ’40s it was called “the Serenity Prayer.”
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Section 3 of 4:

Why is the Serenity Prayer so powerful?

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  1. In the face of life’s obstacles, it can be easy to slingshot between feeling utterly powerless to change anything or feeling like you must (and can) control everything. The Serenity Prayer is a reminder that there are some things we will just never be able to control, including other people, but that there are so many things we do have agency over—namely, ourselves.
    • The Serenity Prayer is especially prevalent in addiction and recovery spaces like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other 12-step groups because it encourages people to let go of situations beyond their control (including their own past behavior), to accept reality as it is in the present, and to look to the future with hope. [3]
    EXPERT TIP

    Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D

    Clinical Psychologist
    Dr. Elisha Goldstein is a Clinical Psychologist, Co-Founder of The Center for Mindful Living and Psychotherapy based in Los Angeles, California, and creator of the global therapeutic coaching program, Uncover the Power Within. With over 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Goldstein has been at the forefront of integrating curriculum and training for therapists, educators, parents, and business professionals in the art and science of mindful living. He is the author of five best-selling books including Uncovering Happiness, The Now Effect, A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook, and MBSR Everyday. Dr. Goldstein received his Ph.D. from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.
    Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D
    Clinical Psychologist

    Accepting something as it is doesn't mean we're helpless. It just means we're looking at the reality of the situation and then asking ourselves, “Okay. So, given what it is, what do I need to support myself?” And that can provide hope and be effective at helping us move forward.

Section 4 of 4:

Is the Serenity Prayer in the Bible?

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  1. However, it is compatible with Biblical theology. The Bible encourages readers to depend on God for guidance and to realize they cannot control everything themselves. [4] The verses below evoke similar sentiments to the Serenity Prayer:
    • “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
    • “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How, then, can anyone understand their own way?” Proverbs 20:24
    • “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
    • “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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.aa.org/sites/default/files/literature/assets/smf-129_en.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.aa.org/sites/default/files/literature/assets/smf-129_en.pdf
      3. ↑ https://oralhistory.columbia.edu/blog-posts/grant-me-serenity
      4. ↑ https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/092812.html

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