A Brief Talk About The Serenity Prayer

This is a talk that is reflective and conducive to centering. In going over this simple yet powerful prayer, it has become a mantra for those times when a pause is necessary. It was first written, in its long form by American theologian Reinhold Niebuher and was adopted in its modified form in many publications of Alcholics Anonymous, the first being in 1941. Since that time it has been used many times by 12 step groups and its members but its appeal is universal. Enjoy "The Serenity Prayer".

Transcript

God,

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

In my attempt in exploring this prayer,

The serenity prayer as many refer to it,

I realized a few different things about it.

I was always told to look up the definitions of words,

That one should use language and understand it and its simplicity,

And still attempt to comprehend its sometimes complex application.

When I saw the word God,

I decided to look it up.

It said it was from dramatic origins,

God,

And Dutch,

God.

And I thought that isn't even that old or ancient of a name.

God has had many names throughout time.

Even in Christianity when Christ was on the cross,

He called out God's name.

But it was in Aramaic.

Only not German or Dutch.

Throughout history,

The name of God has always been given to the highest form of a supreme being.

God has so many names,

All meaning God or goddess,

In their respective religions or cultures.

So whatever works for you.

If you're in a 12-step program,

I've heard it said it could simply be good orderly direction,

The great outdoors,

Or maybe even a group of drunks.

It could be divine consciousness.

I've heard higher self.

Or a change of psyche.

Or creator.

However you begin this prayer,

It doesn't matter which God it is,

As long as it's the God of your understanding.

God grant me.

Grant me.

Which means to be given.

So grant me,

Agree to give or allow something requested.

Serenity.

Grant me the serenity.

We know it is a state of being calm,

Peaceful,

Or untroubled.

In looking at its Latin derivative,

It means clear or fair.

Accept once again derived from the Latin or ad to capare,

Take,

To take to oneself,

Accept the consent to receive a thing offered.

So when we ask to accept the things,

The things are inanimate objects,

Usually not referring to sentient beings.

But I guess you could put those in there too.

But we all have those things.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

That means unable to change.

So to make someone or something different.

It's modified from the Latin root word cambier,

Which means barter,

Which most likely was from Celtic origin originally.

So when we're asking for change,

We're asking for something to be modified or where the something needs to be done,

That we need to change one thing for another.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

And the courage,

Courage from core,

Which in Latin means heart,

From the heart,

The seat of feelings,

As in the cowardly lion who couldn't do anything because he didn't have a heart.

For courage,

In spite of overwhelming fear,

In the face of pain or grief,

Courage can give us a passion to receive the strength to change,

To be able to change just from the root word in Latin and Greek,

Nossere,

To get to know.

The courage to change the things,

Once again things.

I can,

I am able.

And the wisdom.

Wisdom is in the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience,

Knowledge,

And good judgment.

That's the definition.

Also learning to become aware through observation,

Inquiry,

Or from information.

Whenever I was confused,

My support person would always say to me,

So what do you know?

What can you find out?

It usually would end with the words of,

It sounds like you don't have enough information again.

So once again,

I was in that pause,

That endless waiting of gathering and deciphering and asking once again.

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,

The difference to distinguish one thing from another.

Boy,

That took a while.

So once more,

Just sit back and reflect on the words.

Let them just wash over you and take them in,

Whatever ones you need for today.

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.

It's a remarkably simple little mantra,

But such a powerful prayer.

Sometimes when I was confused or still can be,

I'd pull out a rock or a shell and just repeat these as if it had special power and could ground me,

Something to hold onto and say,

God,

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Anytime you're confused during the day,

You can always take a pause and pull out this simple prayer.

Take a breath and just let the words wash over you.

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.

This worked for me and continues to do so on a regular basis.

Maybe it'll work for you.

Thanks for listening.

Namaste.

.

Hang tight for now.

Reviews

Thank you for helping to ground me today❤️

Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough examination and sharing.
Through the years, I’ve found it useful, for personal proclivities, to add “and the willingness to take action”.
Blessings

I have always loved words and I appreciate the way you looked intimately at the words of this beloved prayer. You've made it new again for me. It's such a powerful mantra. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 🙏❤️

Really appreciated your insights, particularly the many etymological ones. See “An American Conscience “ the doc on thealogian Reinholt Niebuhr who codified the Serenity Prayer. We all need to remember him now. Namaste!

I appreciate your talk about a favorite prayer that has been an important one to me for nearly 30 years.

I was drawn to your recording because of tension with my sister. I used to be involved in a 12-Step tradition, and I've often been soothed, guided, and gently moved forward by this prayer. Your calming voice and thoughtful words were a balm to me, and I'm now centered enough to move on in a constructive way. Thank you.

You read this so gently that I felt accompanied as I try to accept the passing of my most beloved cat. Thank you.

I love how you broke that down and provided word origins. I also laughed when you something to the effect of “wow that took a while”. Thank you for this.

Beautifully done. I like to go through this prayer slowly pondering the words. It's so powerful. Thanks! 💖🙏

I’ve loved the serenity prayer since I discovered it and started saying it as a mantra/prayer 25 years ago! It’s my go to! I love how you gave definitions and I never knew “god “ was Germanic and not from the beginning of time lol . I love the idea of good orderly direction and believed that and great out doors until I came to believe ( again ) in a higher power . God/goddess ..it has no gender .. it’s meaning to be is unconditional love ❤️ I’ve come to see the serenity to accept people places and things as what I can’t change…and courage to change the things I can as me and my beliefs and attitudes.. wisdom is in remembering this. Thank you Gera ! 💜💫Recommended!

A powerful prayer indeed…one of my favourites. I loved your explaination of each word, making it even more meaningful. How beautiful your suggestion to use the prayer throughout the day when needed. I also loved your idea of using a shell or stone for grounding and focus while saying the prayer. The pace of the meditation and repetition of the prayer was impactful. I love your lives too! Today’s was marvellous and just what I needed for Manifestation Monday! Thanks so much Gera!
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Thank you