There’s a reason the great theologian Reinhold Niebuhr’s famous “Serenity Prayer” is one of the most memorized and recited passages in the world. So let us join our AA brothers and sisters in praying it as often as needed (about every 5 minutes).
Here’s the full-length 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 hardships 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 God’s will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with him
forever in the next.
Amen.
Thank you so much for sharing the full text, Mitch. 😊
My pleasure, Vicki.
I’ve never seen this full text. What a lovely prayer!
I never had either. Good share, Mitch!
Great reminder, Mitch!
The wisdom to know the difference. That’s the secret sauce. 🙂
Indeed it is, Scott.
Amen.
Peace be unto you
And unto you, Howard.
Thanks so much, Mitch! I, too, had never seen the second part of the serenity prayer and it is beautiful, especially along side your good wishes.
My pleasure, Ellen.
Thanks Mitch. To my mind the second half actually makes sense of the first part – because it shows is what it looks like in practice… in the muddles and challenges of today, and the context of time…
This is the first time I’ve seen the full text of the prayer. Why are awesome thoughts like these redacted?🤷🏻♂️ Thanks for sharing the rest of the story, Mitch.
Oops, I meant edited. ☺️
This goes well with our pastor’s message of having more faith than fear.
Oh. Who knew? ‘accepting hardships as the pathway to peace’ I really liked that line. Thanks for sharing this one Mitch.
My pleasure, Darrell.
The right words at the right time. I needed that, Mitch. Thank you!
My privilege, Joanne.
Good post Mitch! Didn’t know there was more to that prayer. Thanks 🙏.
Good post Mitch!
Thanks; very helpful.
Sorry for the double post. Had trouble posting on Android.
No problem. Been there, Cora.
Hmm, I always thought it was “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and the patience not to smash the faces of the idiots that just don’t get it.” 😂
Subtext?
Amen to this! I needed it today…thanks, Mitch 😀
My pleasure, Lynn.
Beautiful 🙏🕊️
The Serenity Prayer says so much in so few lines. Thanks for posting it, Mitch. 🙂
My pleasure, Nancy.
I have prayed that prayer more times than I can count.
It can’t be “over-prayed,” can it, Rocky?
Indeed it cannot
I’ve always loved this prayer, Mitch. Like several others here, I didn’t know there was a second half. It’s a good one to memorize. Thanks for posting it.
My pleasure, Mary.
Yes! This is good!
Thank you. The full text is my daily prayer and the shortened one for meetings. And the cartoon made me laugh and laugh.
;>)
I learned the full text from a “recovering” alcoholic as my friend refers to himself. He’s been alcohol-free for more than 35 years. What nearly destroyed him ignited a passion and compassion for others who struggle with addictions. Every day, he begins with this prayer and visits the local jail weekly to facilitate a recovery program with incarcerated men. Before my friend recited it, I had always thought the first stanza was the whole thing. It’s almost benign without the latter stanza.
Of course my first thought was of Serenity, the spaceship from the late, lamented SF show “Firefly”. I would really like to have my own spaceship, but failing that, this kind of serenity would be okay too …
I was a fan of the series (and the movie) too, James.
Heh… yes… and guilty.
Wonderful! I haven’t heard the extended version in quite some time. And yes – we needed about every 5 minutes!
Indeed, Terri!
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