Praying the Serenity Prayer

In times of stress, uncertainty, or heartbreak, many of us long for peace—the perfect peace God promises in His Word (see Isaiah 26:3). One of the most enduring prayers that captures this longing is The Serenity Prayer. You’ve probably heard the first few lines quoted before, but the prayer is actually longer than four lines and the entire prayer holds deep wisdom for everyday life.

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.

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 History of the Prayer

The Serenity Prayer was written by Reinhold Niebuhr, an American theologian, ethicist, and pastor. It’s believed that Niebuhr first used the prayer in a sermon in the 1930s or early 1940s. It gained broader recognition when it was adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous, which helped popularize the four-line version we often use and quote today.

Strategies to Help You Pray the Serenity Prayer

This prayer resonates because it speaks to the things that most challenge our peace: control, fear, frustration, and impatience. When we pray The Serenity Prayer, we’re not just asking for comfort—we’re asking for transformation. We’re surrendering what we can’t fix, acting with courage where we can, and seeking God’s wisdom.

Here are a few ways to let this prayer shape your daily walk with God:

• Pray one line at a time, personalizing it. “God, grant me the serenity to accept ___ …”
• Go on a prayer walk: pray each section of the prayer slowly and reflectively as you walk in God’s creation.
• Reflect on one line each day. For example, focus one day on acceptance, the next on courage, and the next on wisdom.
• Journal what God is showing you. What “thing you cannot change” is heavy on your heart right now? Where might God be calling you to take courageous action?
• Make it visual! Illustrate or paint the images, emotions, or truths that the prayer stirs in your heart.
• Pray this for someone in your life who is going through a hard time. “God, grant ___ the serenity…” This makes a great prayer of intercession!
• Find a verse to pray that goes along with each line of the prayer. Then you can pray the Serenity prayer AND God’s Word together.
  For example:
  “Grant me serenity…” → Philippians 4:6–7
  “Courage to change…” → Joshua 1:9
  “Wisdom to know the difference…” → James 1:5

Praying The Serenity Prayer isn’t just about finding comfort—it’s about walking more closely with God through surrender, courage, and trust. When you feel overwhelmed or unsure, return to these words. Let them guide you back to the One who holds all things together and offers a peace that surpasses understanding.