Digging deeper into the Serenity Prayer
The widely used Serenity Prayer has been circulating the world since the early 1900’s and was written by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. There are slightly different versions of the prayer and it’s also most commonly known through the Celebrate Recovery program.
Most of us have heard the short version of the serenity 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.
I really wanted to break down the prayer and allow it to resonate. I feel like my anxiety is finally on a plateau low for the first time in as long as I can remember. I’ve been searching for peace that surpasses understanding by focusing on God’s truth. I suppose the future has always been uncertain, but now I just realize it a lot more.
Serenity Prayer original full version
God, give us 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.
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.
Meditating on The Serenity Prayer
Rather than just reading the prayer, I chose to meditate on the words to really digest it. I found that the prayer is rooted in biblical truth. Here’s what it showed me; I implore you to do the same for yourself 🙂
Do I live in peace about things that are outside of my control? Am I able to identify which habits I need to change in my life and not hesitating to be proactive in creating that change? How many times do I question, delay or even resist change in my life? Ultimately, am I submitted to The Holy Spirit and allowing Him to conform me to Himself?
Have I been intentional about creating a life for myself where I truly live in every moment and day that is given me? Remembering that in this life I will have trouble, (it has been written) but enduring that hardship with endurance and not allowing it to devour me with darkness.
Just as Jesus lived in a sinful world but kept the Will of The Father, am I too, imitating Him? Have I given up my own ways for His because I fully trust in the outcome? Recognizing my pathway to peace is a path that only He can provide.
He wants me to be happy in this life and He gives me the way to achieve the life He wills and it’s all for His glory so that one day I enter into His kingdom.
This prayer is about surrender to God’s Will and asking The Spirit to give us the wisdom to discern His Will. Christians alike were never promised an easy life for we live in a sinful world. But in that, we can still have peace that only comes from Him & that’s His promise.
Click here for Printable Serenity Prayer.
Important definitions
I like to look up definitions of words for deeper comprehension when I’m studying God’s word. So below are some definitions I looked up specifically related to this prayer.
God, Creator of the heavens and the earth.
Grace is the love and mercy given to us by God because He desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it.
Serenity is the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
Accept is to consent to receive.
Courage is strength in the face of pain or grief.
Wisdom, especially spiritual wisdom, is not just about knowing what’s good for you, but applying that knowledge into your everyday life.
Distinguish is to tell the difference between, discern or differentiate.
Living is the pursuit of a lifestyle.
Hardship is severe suffering or privation.
Surrender (biblically) means that a believer completely gives up his own will and subjects his thoughts, ideas, and deeds to the will and teachings of Jesus Christ.
The will of God, divine will, or God’s plan is the truth that God has a plan for us individually and for all of humanity.
Trusting God is having firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of God.
Are you struggling with fear, worry and anxiety? I promise you, I can relate and you’re not alone. But that is absolutely NOT the will of God for my life or yours. In fact, His will for us is greater than we can imagine.
I truly hope this leaves you encouraged to search for peace, He will give it to you. 🙂
What are your thoughts on digging deeper into the serenity prayer? Would you help me by continuing to spread this message by sharing with your friends down below.
Please take a moment to leave a comment, I love hearing from you! Thanks so much for reading!
For more on the Serenity Prayer, check out 7 ways the Serenity Prayer improves your life
A dear friend of mine shared this message with me. I am ever so grateful that she shared it because I knew of the serenity prayer but in reading this article I totally understand the biblical principles that are within. Thank you for sharing what GOD has revealed to you! May GOD continue to bless you with His absolute best in life, in the Precious name of our Savior Jesus Christ , Amen!
I was at a church camp out and the speaker was addressing this subject. He is a Christian psychologist. I noted much of his talk reminded me of the Serenity Prayer and after, he confirmed to me that, yes, it was based on it. So then I searched the web and found your explanation which was confirming of all he said as well. Thank you.