I don't know about you, but I have read, said, and prayed the "Serenity Prayer" attributed to Reinhold Neibuhr, dozens of times. Unfortunately like so many other canned prayers spoken frequently, it kind of starts to lose its oomph after a while. This really sucks because it is a great prayer! Literally thousands of people know it! I sat down and thought about what each line meant to me...at least for that day. The bold lines below are the original and the italicized bits are my thoughts. What heartstrings are pulled for you when reading this prayer? How do YOU interpret it?
God, grant me the Serenity
Father- I need You. I need Your Peace and calm because I AM A MESS.
To accept the things I cannot change
Help me be ok with my surroundings and let go of my control freakish-ness.
Courage to change the things I can,
Help me be brave enough to say “Yes” to You when it’s time.
And Wisdom to know the difference
I get so confused and anxious. Please show me when to move and when to be still.
Living one day at a time,
Thank you for giving me “just enough” to get through this day- anymore is too much.
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Help me allow myself joy, and the wisdom to slow down and see it.
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace
Some days are really, really hard. Help me press through, believing in goodness on the other side of it.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
I accept that this world and its people are not perfect.
Not as I would have it.
I trust that your ways are better than my ways.
Trusting that He will make all things right, if I surrender to His will
No matter how hard I try, only trusting You completely will things be made right.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
I can have a measure of peace, hope and joy now, but…
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next
Trusting in Your love guarantees me immeasurable happiness in the future and for eternity.
Amen
Your will be done- not mine...ugh that's the hard part.
