Finding Serenity Through Prayer

A short, yet impactful prayer that is well known and commonly used by those who are seeking guidance, grounding, or a connection to God, is the Serenity Prayer. People will often quote this shortened version:  

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.

But, did you know that the Serenity Prayer, the name by which the shortened version is commonly known, has a longer version? It goes like this:

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 hardships as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, the 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.
- attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, circa 1932

While the longer version of the Serenity Prayer is not commonly used or known, upon reading it, one can easily identify with the strength that it can provide for those who may adhere to its powerful words. One might also agree that this short prayer readily provides a quick connection to God in such a way that it opens us up by allowing us to get out of the mode of SELF–RELIANCE (expectation) and into the realm of FAITH and GOD–RELIANCE (acceptance). 

Author
Odie Mitchell
Enrollment Services Officer