3 Petitions of the Serenity Prayer
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“Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.” — Reinhold Niebuhr
The beloved Serenity Prayer has been adopted by many 12-step programs, most famously Alcoholics Anonymous, and spoken to God by countless millions of people around the world. The Serenity Prayer comes from an untitled prayer that was written by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, who shared it in a sermon in 1943. According to Wikipedia, the Serenity Prayer is commonly quoted as follows:
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.
Wikipedia notes that the popular version uses the word “can” instead of “must,” which is in Niebuhr’s original version. Here are three related Bible passages for each of the three main petitions of Neibuhr’s prayer:
Christians are duty-bound to uphold God’s moral law.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” (Isaiah 1:17)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (Luke 11:42)
God alone is sovereign.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21)
“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10)
We need God’s wisdom to navigate life joyfully in a fallen world.
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. (Proverbs 3:13-14)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)
The Serenity Prayer helps us to remember that the Christian life involves standing for all that is right and good, our loving and good God is sovereign over all, even in the most difficult and dismal of times, and wisdom is essential for loving God and our neighbor well and resting in God’s will for us. We can be thankful for prayers such as Niebuhr’s that help us in making our petitions to God today.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones. (Prov. 3:5-8)
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