When I say the Serenity Prayer time and again, I could fall into merely speaking the words without taking note of their meaning. This would dull the edge of a powerful recovery tool. If I think about what I'm saying, phrase by phrase, my understanding of difference between what I can and cannot change will become more clear.

The prayer asks God for "for courage to change the things I can." There is much in my life that could stand improvement, but real change will come as a result changes in my attitudes and my actions.

In every problem, no matter how large or how small, God's loving answer to the Serenity Prayer will guide me to a better place.

—Anonymous

Tags: Serenity Prayer

I'm a bit thick-headed. It took me a while to realize that I can use the Twelve Steps and the Serenity Prayer to help with all of my problems and not just recovery issues. If I use these tools every day, my response to life becomes more ordered and calm. I can more clearly see what I can and can't change. I can more easily determine the things that do and don't have my name on them.

I can begin to see things in proper perspective.

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.

—Anonymous

Tags: Serenity Prayer