If you didn't read The Serenity Prayer Wars about the controversy over who really wrote the Serenity Prayer - you may want to read that first. Today I present all the versions listed in that blogpost, plus a few more for good measure.
First on the list is what I consider the original Serenity Prayer as we know it today. While there may be genuine similarities or themes in centuries old texts, this is likely to do universal themes. After all, there is nothing new under the sun.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
Complete original version, circa 1932-1936, depending upon the source. Significant differences between this and the modern adaptation ("should" vs "can" and "distinguish the..."). Worth noting is that the separation of lines below into stanzas is still an alteration from the original; the prayer was traditionally printed on a card as one comprehensive sentence and given to soldiers.
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
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.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
Complete modern version. Notice the more efficient (arguably better) word flow. It also now transitions from the original "You will..." and "surrender to Your ..." to "He will..." and "to His will...", which is, perhaps, slightly less personal.
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 hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
Complete modern modified version, "Jesus" has now been replaced with "He," making it more accessible.
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 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 all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
Abridged original version.
O God and Heavenly Father,
Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
Abridged modern version as used by A.A. today.
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.
Though it is often displayed like this:
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.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
Abridged modern version as written in Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 41.
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.
Thy will, not mine be done.
Serenity Prayer attributed to Friedrich Otenger, 18th Century Pietist
As documented in A.A. GSO literature. I have since discovered this was likely a pseudonym for Theodor Wilhelm, circa WW11, which might lend further credence to Niebuhr's original authorship - something that was perhaps not known at the time of this paper.
God give me the detachment to accept those things I cannot alter; the courage to alter those things which I can alter; and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
General's Prayer by unknown author, (perhaps) 14th Century
This was printed on a small decorative card with scrollwork and was discovered by New York bookstore staff member Anita R. in 1957 - but originated from the English bookstore Mobrays. The latter explanation on this by perhaps being evidential for Niebuhr is somewhat confusing.
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, Give us serenity to accept what cannot be changed, Courage to change what should be changed, and Wisdom to know the one from the other; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Serenity Prayer by Chester Nimitz, WWII Fleet Admiral
Further military use/alteration/composition.
God grant me the courage to change the things I can change, The serenity to accept those I cannot change, And the wisdom to know the difference. But, God grant me the courage not to give up on what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.
Serenity Prayer by beloved humorist Erma Bombeck
A quintessential Bombeck treatment.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to keep my mouth shut when I don’t know the difference…
Personally, I prefer the complete modern version - but with the "You's" still in it. I don't see this version very often, but got lucky and found a beautiful wall hanging with it (pictured at bottom).
The Prayer for Serenity by Reinhold Niebuhr
Complete modern version, sans pronoun changes.
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. 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.
Whatever your preference, I pray it brings you some serenity.
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