The Poet’s Prayer: The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr

The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr

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.

The Serenity Prayer is one of the most popular and widely used prayers in the world. It is often recited by people who are facing challenges, difficulties, or uncertainties in their lives. The prayer asks God for the serenity to accept the things that cannot be changed, the courage to change the things that can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

But who wrote this prayer and what is its origin? The answer is not as simple as it may seem. There is some controversy and debate over the authorship and history of the Serenity Prayer. However, most scholars agree that the prayer was composed by Reinhold Niebuhr, a prominent American theologian and social activist in the 20th century.

Who was Reinhold Niebuhr?

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) was a professor of Christian ethics at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was also a leader of the neo-orthodox movement, which emphasized the transcendence and sovereignty of God, the sinfulness and limitations of human nature, and the need for social justice and political realism.

Niebuhr was influential in shaping the public theology of America during and after World War II. He was an outspoken critic of fascism, communism, racism, and nationalism. He advocated for democracy, human rights, and international cooperation. He also supported the involvement of Christians in politics and social issues, while recognizing the dangers of moralism and utopianism.

Niebuhr was a prolific writer and speaker. He authored many books and articles on theology, ethics, politics, and culture. Some of his most famous works include Moral Man and Immoral Society (1932), The Nature and Destiny of Man (1941-1943), The Irony of American History (1952), and The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness (1944).

How did Niebuhr write the Serenity Prayer?

Niebuhr claimed that he wrote the Serenity Prayer as part of a sermon he delivered in 1943 at a village church in Heath, Massachusetts. He said that he had composed it in a “stone-age notebook” sometime earlier, but he did not remember when or where exactly.

However, some researchers have challenged Niebuhr’s claim and suggested that he may have borrowed or adapted the prayer from other sources. For example, some have pointed out that similar sentiments can be found in ancient Greek and Roman stoic philosophy, as well as in Jewish and Christian writings.

One possible precursor of the Serenity Prayer is a prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, which reads:

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.”

Another possible source is a prayer written by Winnifred Crane Wygal, a colleague of Niebuhr at Union Theological Seminary. Wygal published her prayer in a book titled We Plan Our Own Worship Services (1940), where she credited it to Niebuhr. Her prayer reads:

“O God, give us serenity to accept what cannot be changed,
courage to change what should be changed,
and wisdom to distinguish one from the other.”

Wygal’s prayer is very similar to Niebuhr’s version, except for the word “should” instead of “can”. Some scholars have argued that Wygal may have been the original author of the prayer, or that she may have collaborated with Niebuhr in composing it.

How did the Serenity Prayer become popular?

The Serenity Prayer gained widespread popularity through its adoption by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other recovery groups. AA is a fellowship of people who suffer from alcoholism and who help each other achieve sobriety through a 12-step program.

According to AA’s official website, the Serenity Prayer was first introduced to AA by an early member named Jack Alexander in 1941. Alexander had read the prayer in an obituary of an American naval officer who had died in combat during World War II. The obituary quoted the prayer as follows:

“God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change,
courage to change things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.”

Alexander was impressed by the prayer and shared it with other AA members. Soon, it became part of AA’s literature and meetings. The prayer was also printed on medallions and cards that AA members carried with them as reminders of their spiritual principles.

The Serenity Prayer resonated with many people who struggled with addiction, as well as with other forms of suffering and hardship. The prayer offered them a simple but profound way of coping with life’s challenges and finding peace and strength in God.

The Serenity Prayer also appealed to people from different religious backgrounds and traditions. Although the prayer mentions God, it does not specify any particular name or concept of God. Therefore, people could interpret God in their own way, whether as a personal or impersonal force, a higher power, or a universal spirit.

The Serenity Prayer has since become one of the most widely recognized and recited prayers in the world. It has been translated into many languages and used in various contexts and occasions. It has also inspired many songs, books, movies, and artworks.

What is the Meaning and Message of the Serenity Prayer?

The Serenity Prayer is a short but powerful prayer that expresses profound spiritual insight and wisdom. The prayer teaches us how to deal with the realities and uncertainties of life in a healthy and balanced way.

The prayer begins by asking God for the serenity to accept the things that cannot be changed. This means recognizing and acknowledging the limits of our control and influence over the world and ourselves. It also means accepting the facts and consequences of our past actions and choices, as well as the situations and circumstances that are beyond our power to alter.

Accepting the things that cannot be changed does not mean resigning to fate or giving up on hope. Rather, it means trusting in God’s providence and plan for our lives, even when we do not understand or agree with them. It also means letting go of our worries, fears, resentments, regrets, and guilt that prevent us from moving forward and growing.

The prayer then asks God for the courage to change the things that can be changed. This means taking responsibility and action for the things that are within our reach and ability to improve or transform. It also means making positive and constructive choices that reflect our values and goals, as well as our faith and love.

Changing the things that can be changed does not mean imposing our will or agenda on others or on the world. Rather, it means cooperating with God’s grace and guidance in our lives, even when they challenge or stretch us. It also means seeking and offering forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and justice where they are needed.

The prayer finally asks God for the wisdom to know the difference between the things that can and cannot be changed. This means discerning and distinguishing between what is essential and what is trivial, what is permanent and what is temporary, what is real and what is illusory. It also means learning from our experiences and mistakes, as well as from other sources of knowledge and wisdom.

Knowing the difference between the things that can and cannot be changed does not mean being indifferent or complacent about the world or ourselves. Rather, it means being realistic and humble about our limitations and potentials, as well as our strengths and weaknesses. It also means being grateful and joyful for what we have and who we are, as well as for what we can give and become.

The Serenity Prayer is a prayer that invites us to live in harmony with God, ourselves, others, and creation. It is a prayer that challenges us to grow in faith, hope, love, peace, courage, wisdom, serenity.

For more biblical prayer resources, visit the Prayer & Intercession Ministry Center.

Related prayer resource: Prayer Library: Peace, Fear & Emotional Strength.

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