Peace, Courage & Wisdom: thoughts around the Serenity Prayer
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5
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.
I think we all know “The Serenity Prayer.” Or at least we are familiar. The most basic form is attributed to theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, but the spirit of the prayer has been adapted by many writers and speakers over the years.
But that’s okay, because the beauty of timeless truth is its universality.
If you read me much at all then you are already aware that I deeply appreciate small groups. Small groups are good for support, encouragement, accountability, study, learning, affirmation and so much more. Because – and this is hugely important for everyone to understand – we need each other!
Both Rebekah and I have consulted and taught and encouraged and promoted and led and written about small groups from coast to coast. We have flown as far as California, Florida, Texas, the Northeast and the Midwest as advocates and teachers. In particular, small groups have been the foundation of my work in men’s ministry.
Whatever commonality a small group is built around – be it mutual support and encouragement, or a book club, or recovery, or Bible study, or with a focus on prayer, or fitness, or mission – The Serenity Prayer can be quite helpful.
This is especially true when we are overwhelmed and feel lost.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
God grant me the courage to change the things that I can.
We can expend so much emotional energy on our desire to change things that are outside of our power and control. And we miss out on so much effective good when we lack the courage to invest ourselves or make hard choices where God has called us – and equipped us – to act.
How do we know the difference? Well, we can let the scriptures be our guide, we can pray for wisdom, and we can make sure we surround ourselves with good people too. If we seek with all our heart, God will grant us the wisdom we need.
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:12-13
Imagine exchanging hubris for humility and prayer? “Lord God, please give me wisdom.”
Imagine frustrated parents admitting that they are foundering and turning to God? “Lord God, we need serenity when we deal with things we can’t change, and we humbly ask for courage when we make the tough calls. Most of all we pray that you grant us wisdom and peace.”
This is a moment for deep breaths and humility. This is a time for courage and for wisdom. This is a time for the Serenity Prayer, for people who know the truth and love us anyway, for encouragement along with accountability.
– Serenity with Rebekah
May God grant us all the humility to know where we need help, may God grant us the spirit of confidence to step out in faith and may God grant us discernment to hear the Creator’s voice in the midst of all the noise.
In love and for peace – DEREK
God grant us all the humility to know where we need help, the spirit of confidence to step out in faith and the discernment to hear the Creator’s voice in the midst of all the noise.
