Discovering The Full Serenity Prayer For Embracing Peace and Wisdom
Have You Read the Full Serenity Prayer?
Have you ever heard the full version of the Serenity Prayer? I’m sure many of you are familiar with the first few lines, but there’s so much more to this beautiful prayer! The prayer reminded us to seek God’s guidance in all our lives, especially when facing challenges and uncertainties. First, we must look at the full Serenity Prayer, and then explore how it can help us find peace, courage, and wisdom in our daily walk with God.
The Full Serenity Prayer
“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.”
Embracing Peace and Wisdom with the Serenity Prayer
The first paragraph of this prayer is one that I’ve heard and know. I thought the prayer was smart for applying to our lives and that if I could apply it, I would have less anxiety and worry. However, when I read the full serenity prayer, I was blown away. It is simple and powerful, all at the same time.
1. Finding Serenity: Accepting What We Cannot Change
The first part of the Serenity Prayer focuses on serenity—finding peace in accepting the things we cannot change. It’s so easy to get caught up in worry and frustration over situations beyond our control. He is in control and will guide us through whatever comes our way.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
2. Courage to Change: Taking Steps of Faith
The Serenity Prayer also speaks of courage—the courage to change the things we can. I believe in doing everything in my power and then accepting what I can’t change. True serenity comes from surrendering our anxieties to God, but He expects us to do our part. That could look like going to a doctor when you’re sick, a marriage counselor when your marriage is rocky, or finding a financial advisor when your finances are in shambles.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
3. Seeking Wisdom: Knowing the Difference
The prayer also asks for wisdom—to know the difference between what we can change and what we must accept. For me, this is the hardest part of the prayer. Wisdom comes from seeking God’s guidance and trusting His plan. It’s about understanding when to act and when to be still. I’m guilty of not knowing when to be still and let God do the work.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
4. Living One Day at a Time: Embracing the Present
The full Serenity Prayer encourages us to live “one day at a time” and “enjoy one moment at a time.” It’s a beautiful reminder to stay present, appreciate the small moments, and not get overwhelmed by the future. I like to look out the window each morning and greet it with, “This is the Day the Lord has made. I will Rejoice and be Glad in it!”
Matthew 6:34 NIV
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Trusting God’s Will and Finding True Happiness
The Serenity Prayer ends with a powerful call to trust God’s will and find contentment in His plan for our lives. Let’s focus on today, trust God with our tomorrows, and find joy in the journey.
Romans 8:28 NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I hope everyone finds peace, courage, and wisdom in their daily walk with God by embracing His plan with an open heart. It might be hard, but surrendering all our worries and trusting in His guidance is how to have peace in your life. The post on Why The Prayer Of Jabez Is So Powerful is one you might want also to read.
Let’s end with a prayer:
Dear God, grant us serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference. Help us to live each day fully, trusting in Your will and finding joy in Your presence. Amen.
Thank you for posting that beautiful prayer!
Thank you so much for this prayer I have always loved it. Lost my Dad in April, I had him with me for almost 64 years. It’s a hard loss.
My Dad passed away this last Tuesday and he lived his life with full faith that God was in charge not he. He considered each challenge as bumps in the road and believed till the day that he died that this prayer was the center of his life. As he stated many times “Life is a Mystery to be lived not a problem to be solved.” Amen Dad. It was an honor to have him as my inspiration and my Dad.
Denise, you were truly blessed with a very smart dad. I know you will miss him terribly, but it sounds like you’ll have lots of wonderful memories to hold on to.
I’m so glad you wrote this. My son and I prayed the Serenity Prayer together all the time. He changed his address to Heaven in February and I still say this prayer aloud and think of him.
MaryCarol, I’m so sorry you lost your son. I’m glad the two of you shared the prayer together, that is wonderful!
Tania, Thank you for the beautiful review and explanation of the Serenity Prayer. I had never seen the “full prayer” before. I only knew the short version.
Your explanation and scripture references are so perfect. Thank you for the diligence you undertook to match that up so perfectly. After a busy 3 day weekend I sat down to go thru over a hundred emails and I am so glad I stopped and read yours. It made my task so much lighter at 9:30 Monday evening. Your Sunday blogs are so special. I believe extra blessings will return to you for all the good they do for others💗
I am glad you stopped to read my post, too! I need to read it more often myself.
Love this full prayer of the Serenity Prayer. I say it off as I do the Prayer of Jabez.
Both are truly an insperation and a help when I need that push in the correct direction.
Thank you for you words of God’s wisdom.
Thank you for posting. It was just what I needed today.
Thank you so much! I never knew there was more to the Serenity Prayer. Blessings to you and yours.
You have truly Blessed me.
Thank You for Your insite to the Jabez
Prayer. You are a Blessing to me.
I thank God for You,
all in the Name of Jesus.
Linda, I am thrilled you enjoyed both of these posts.
Just beautiful!
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Tania♥️
I had never read the full Serenity prayer. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Love this! Thanks for sharing, never saw the entire prayer. I definitely needed this today!
I didn’t know the rest of it either.
Accepting things I cannot change is the hardest part for me. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing! Such a beautiful prayer that reminds us to always put our trust in God.
Thank you for posting the full prayer. Today it came as a reminder to me that I can’t change others and how they act toward or feel about me. It reminded me to not worry,to take care of things as best I can but most importantly to trust in God. I think we know all of this but need a reminder now and then. Thanks for the reminder!
I didn’t know there was more to that prayer. How beautiful.
Dear Tania,
Blessings to you on this Sunday afternoon. I wanted to personally thank you for faithfully posting the Sunday email each week. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe that your message will reach people who might otherwise not be able to attend church or might need a gentle push to have time in prayer and ponder your message.
I appreciate the Serenity prayer you posted on embracing peace and wisdom. At this time in the world, may we all remember to work for the good of our country.
Thank you Tania for these Bible Passages today. Along with the Serenity Prayer they are all a Blessing! I admit I needed your message today more than ever. Everything seems to give me anxiety not knowing how it will end. You brought me back to
The “Real Reality” and I need to read these every day.
Aimee, I think we all need a “reality check” every now and then.
I remember my parents had the first verse of the Serenity Prayer hanging in the den. I always liked it. I never knew there was another verse.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you as I have never seen or read the entire prayer. I appreciate your post have a nice week
Really needed to hear this today. Thanks for your Sunday Devotions.
Thank you for being a light unto the world for Jesus! It’s so wonderful to see people who boldly profess their faith in Jesus on social media.
I never knew there was a longer prayer! Thank you for sharing this beautiful prayer! 🛐💜
Thank you ❤️
Thank you for the full version of the Serenity Prayer and the wonderful discussion of its meaning. It’s been a long time since I had seen this full version and truly appreciate your Sunday inspirations. Thank you and God bless you.
Thank you Tania for the full Serenity Prayer and the associated verses. This was a great way to start my Sunday.
I copied it to my phone too Tania-
First time I’ve seen the complete prayer
Thank you
So beautiful ♥️
Thank you for this.
I needed to read this today 🙏🏼
Tania,
Thank you so much for sharing these words with me today. I want to thank you for your Sunday posts, they have strengthened my faith and allowed me to open my heart to let the Lord in even more.
Tania,
Thank you so much for posting this I’ve always liked this prayer and now have a beautiful understanding of its meaning ! Have a wonderful Sunday 🙏
Wonderful devotion! Your insight was very inspiring. Thank you!
Excellent!!! I always enjoy your posts! Especially those on Sundays. I’m glad to know you are a Crist follower as I am.
Thank you for sharing! Proverbs 3:5-6 is the verse I cling to hardest. This prayer is soooo good.
Thank you for your post. Very meaningful. It really spoke to me.
What a beautiful prayer and so appropriate for our times. Thank you for another wonderful Sunday devotion.
Thank you. Just what I needed. I love your Sunday posts.
What a beautiful post. Thank you so much.
Tania, that was. Just beautiful! I was not familiar with the entire prayer, so thank you! The verse from Matthew is SO good!!! Happy Sunday 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
And all of Gods people said, AMEN!
this post has encouraged and inspired me in so many ways. thank you. glory to God in the highest.
Thank you for sharing this post. I needed the reminder to just relax and trust. God bless you.
Thank-you, Tania, fir the longer version of the Serenity prayer. A needed reminder for me this morning 🌄
Gara
Good morning!
How beautiful that prayer is! I was not familiar with all of it before! Thank you Tania! May God bless you and yours always!
Thank you so much for these wise words! I enjoyed reading your devotional.
The Serenity Prayer, like you said, is well known for the first part. The rest of it usually is not talked about that much but has a lot in it that helps us remember how to live each day!
Thank you again for sharing it.
Amen!
thank you for sharing this today.
it really helped
This came at the perfect time. I love Proverbs 3: 5&6 We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts! Thank you for this post. I’m forwarding it to a family member. God Bless!!
Love this! Great prayer !
Amen! A very needed reminder to trust in God. It can be so easy to take our eyes off Jesus and look at the waves. He has already won the victory; we only have to trust.
I have “grown” to love, study and apply this prayer. Thank you, Tania for this beautiful writing and all you do!
Thank you, Tanya! My husband and I say the Serenity prayer everyday with an addition – years ago we added at the end, “and with love to understand”. Thank you for all the love you share in your posts, Tania – especially on Sundays!
Thanks for sharing. You always post what I need to hear. 😊
don’t try to figure things out. remember God is in control. he will never leave us or forsake us.( we are the ones who turn away) God is the same yesterday today forever
I’ve never seen the whole prayer. This is powerful
I say this prayer every night. However, I really needed this post today. Thank you, Tania.
What a powerful message as we start a new month. I’m starting a new position as a MS/HS Special Education teacher and I will need to pray this prayer a lot for me and for my students. I will be putting this on my desk as a reminder to lean on God each day. Happy September 1st!
Jennifer, you are doing a good work, and making a difference is children’s lives.
That was a wonderful prayer to post! Its a prayer that most of us know !!I did not know all of it and loved the explanation also! Thanks for posting!!
Amen! Beautiful Tania! Thank you! 💗
So meaningful and beautiful. Thank you.
A beautiful prayer. Thank you for sharing. I did not know the full prayer.
Amen
What a beautiful post!
Thank you for making my day.
You do have a way with words and it’s so powerful.
Have a blessed weekend!
Thank you for the reminder of such a beautiful and meaningful prayer to pray every day! Also loved how you broke it down. This post is a keeper for sure!
Have a blessed Sunday!!
That says it all! Thank you.
I never knew there was more to that prayer! It’s beautiful! Thanks, Tania.
This prayer got me through many dark days as addiction threatened my family.
Amen!
What a beautiful post! Great way to start the week and carry throughout the week! Satan loves to steal our joy and take that peace. This is a wonderful reminder to leave my concerns (aka worries) with Jesus after I’ve prayed about those concerns.
Thanks for this reminder of the serenity prayer. 🙏
Amen and amen.
What a wonderful message. Thank you
Beautiful post, thank you❤️🙏
Thank you for this reminder of the beautiful Serenity prayer in its entirety.
Such a great message and reminder as we end summer and start Fall. The stores start bombarding us with all the upcoming holidays and it can be overwhelming sometimes. We need to slow down and enjoy one day at a time and cast our cares on Him.
This is my favorite prayer, except I didn’t realize how much more it said , only knowing the first part . Thank you .
I have to work on courage and the wisdom to know when to sit still ! Yikes
So true . Especially with my older children . And also with being controlling in a situation . I think I will read the entire prayer daily as guidance .
Thank you for sharing ! Got me moving today ! 🤗
Thank you I needed this more than you will ever know. I am struggling with so many things and I just need to “Let Go And Let God”. You were a true light in the beginning of my day.
God Bless
I’m glad it was helpful. I struggle too when things are going crazy, but He has everything under control, even if I don’t.
Thank you for this post and reminder to do what the Lord leads us to do and then leave the rest to Him in faith. I, too, love the Serenity Prayer but often fail to remember it in times of stress. Thank you again for your Sunday posts.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder and pointing us to some powerful scripture.
Your post spoke to me for sure. Praying is a mysterious process. I pray every day for certain things and yes I have a list. We all talk about putting a sick friend on our prayer list. I believe God knows my heart before I utter my requests but feel I still need to say it. Thank you for your Sunday posts and each one during the week.
Thank you. I need to turn my will over to the care of God🙏
Such a beautiful prayer. I need to start every day with that!
I copied it to my phone so that I can bring it up at any time.
I will copy this too and share it! Thank you!!
Amen
Thank you – you enlightened me😊