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God, grant us
the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
courage to change the things we can,
and wisdom to know the difference.— Read about The Prayer in Living Sober, page 18
The Original, Extended Version
(Attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr)
God, grant us
the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
courage to change the things we can,
and 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, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.Amen.
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A Guide to the Serenity Prayer for Recovery
Whether you are newly sober, navigating a difficult moment, or a long-time member of a 12-step fellowship, having the Serenity Prayer full text on hand provides a powerful tool for grounding and peace.
Written in the 1930s by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, the prayer wasn’t originally created for addiction treatment. However, its core message aligned perfectly with the journey of getting sober. It breaks down the complexities of life into three manageable pillars:
- Serenity (Acceptance): Acknowledging that we cannot control other people, the past, or external circumstances. In recovery, this often means accepting the reality of the addiction itself.
- Courage (Action): Recognizing what is within our control—our reactions, our daily habits, our willingness to ask for help, and our commitment to working a program.
- Wisdom (Discernment): The clarity that comes from a sober mind, allowing us to pause before reacting and recognize the boundary between what is ours to fix and what is ours to release.
For decades, the Serenity Prayer for recovery has served as a daily anchor, helping millions of people navigate anxiety, cravings, and life’s inevitable challenges without picking up a drink or a drug.
How the Prayer is Used in 12-Step Meetings
If you attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or Al-Anon meeting, you are almost guaranteed to hear the Serenity Prayer. It serves several vital functions in the fellowship:
- Opening and Closing: Meetings traditionally open with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer to unify the group and focus the room. Many meetings also circle up and hold hands to close with it.
- In Moments of Crisis: Sponsors often advise sponsees to recite the prayer when they are facing a trigger, feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing a craving. It acts as a mental “reset” button.
- Group Support: When a member shares a particularly difficult struggle during a meeting, the group will sometimes recite the prayer together in unison to show solidarity and support.