The Serenity Prayer,
Original Serenity Prayer history &
worlds largest "serenity prayer tattoo" galleries.
Japanese serenity art, www.the-twelve-steps.com serenity prayer page
Spiritual Fun, from art to videos, songs...more!
long page scrolls down...
Forward by author Reinhold Niebuhr,
1892 - 1971
on the original Serenity Prayer.
”... The embarrassment, particularly, was occasioned by the incessant correspondence about a prayer I had composed years before, which...was printed on small cards to give to soldiers. Subsequently Alcoholics Anonymous adopted it as its official prayer." That prayer was for a warrior, as it is today for those fighting different kinds of battles.
'God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.' ...Living one day at a time; (And so that's where some say we get "Just for today" from, the long version of the serenity prayer.) 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. Reinhold Niebuhr
'God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.' ...Living one day at a time; (And so that's where some say we get "Just for today" from, the long version of the serenity prayer.) 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. Reinhold Niebuhr
The Alcoholics Anonymous
serenity prayer history
The Serenity Prayer became much more widely known in the 1950s after it was read in an obituary and then excitedly turned into business cards and handed out by Bill Wilson. It caught on and was in the AA Grapevine, 1950.
AA Serenity Prayer, adapted by Bill Wilson
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.
Also, here's our sister site for the serenity prayer: www.serenity-prayer.org
Here's one of many paralleling quotes: from our quotes book: Just For Today section. The Twelve Steps Quotes c 2011
Serenity and just for or in the day, are universal spiritual themes!
\
Carpe Diem, Juleius Cesar = Seize the day
Long Page Our Serenity Prayer Tattoo Galleries 1 & 2...and videos!
\
Carpe Diem, Juleius Cesar = Seize the day
Long Page Our Serenity Prayer Tattoo Galleries 1 & 2...and videos!
Recovery tattoos serenity prayer as a prayer
Need a "Serenity Prayer Tattoo" Idea?
"Serenity Courage Wisdom"
"Serenitatem Animi Sapientia"(Latin)
宁静的勇气智慧(Chinese)
eagna misneach serenity (Irish-Gaelic)
الصفاء شجاعة الحكمة (Aramaic)
If you ink it, mail it in to us! PLEASE ! bill@the-twelve-steps.com
Serenity Prayer Tattoo Gallery #1. scroll down for more below
"Serenity Courage Wisdom"
"Serenitatem Animi Sapientia"(Latin)
宁静的勇气智慧(Chinese)
eagna misneach serenity (Irish-Gaelic)
الصفاء شجاعة الحكمة (Aramaic)
If you ink it, mail it in to us! PLEASE ! bill@the-twelve-steps.com
Serenity Prayer Tattoo Gallery #1. scroll down for more below
Serenity Prayer themed Japanese tattoo
Serenity Prayer in Japamese
no matter
how it's
spelled...
Below, more commentary,
serenity tattoos,
videos too!
how it's
spelled...
Below, more commentary,
serenity tattoos,
videos too!
70+ more serenity prayer and prayer tattoo images
la oración de la serenidad, en español,
visite nuestra página de tatuaje también.
Serenity Prayer in Spanish...
visite nuestra página de tatuaje también.
Serenity Prayer in Spanish...
Other "Original"
Serenity Prayer Versions
Serenity Prayer Versions
Others believe that the first version of the serenity prayer
was from The New York Times, July 12, 1942 as follows:
"O God and Heavenly Father,Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."
"O God and Heavenly Father,Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."
12 step program usage of the prayer
Fact: Serenity Prayers are now more frequently said after a meeting by Narcotics Anonymous then AA or Al Anon as in NA the Lords Prayer is seldom said, (due to the Lord's Prayer having a specific religious root, thus making it a possible tradition violation. The Lords Prayer for example might offend a new-comer of a non-christian orientation)
Thus the serenity prayer is more often the prayer of choice at the close of meetings in NA and Gamblers Anonymous "due to it's non-religious inter-faith nature." True.
(I.e.; AA says the Lords Prayer or the Serenity Prayer, whereas NA for the most part says the Serenity Prayer and more recently the NA 3rd Step prayer.)
Thus the serenity prayer is more often the prayer of choice at the close of meetings in NA and Gamblers Anonymous "due to it's non-religious inter-faith nature." True.
(I.e.; AA says the Lords Prayer or the Serenity Prayer, whereas NA for the most part says the Serenity Prayer and more recently the NA 3rd Step prayer.)
Serenity Prayer Nature,
| Serenity Prayer Tattoo,
|
References on: The Serenity Prayer
By all kinds of famous old friends.
Dan Brown's book,"Angels & Demons."
Neil Young's album, "Re-ac-tor" includes the serenity prayer in Latin / rear cover.
Whitney Houston's "Whitney," rear cover.
Boston, in "Higher Power."
Sinéad O'Connor, in "Feel So Different."
50 Cent raps the serenity prayer in his song, Gotta Make It To Heaven.
"Soul Food" movie
Kurt Vonnegut, "Slaughterhouse Five."(See Below)
Battle.net's game: World of Warcraft: during the Burning Crusade, one of the Blood Elves recites the serenity prayer. Was the Elf in recovery? The game designer? Blood for Blood, punk band "Serenity," album has it.
Olivia Newton John's Album, Stronger Than Before, includes song "Serenity," with the serenity prayer in it.
By all kinds of famous old friends.
Dan Brown's book,"Angels & Demons."
Neil Young's album, "Re-ac-tor" includes the serenity prayer in Latin / rear cover.
Whitney Houston's "Whitney," rear cover.
Boston, in "Higher Power."
Sinéad O'Connor, in "Feel So Different."
50 Cent raps the serenity prayer in his song, Gotta Make It To Heaven.
"Soul Food" movie
Kurt Vonnegut, "Slaughterhouse Five."(See Below)
Battle.net's game: World of Warcraft: during the Burning Crusade, one of the Blood Elves recites the serenity prayer. Was the Elf in recovery? The game designer? Blood for Blood, punk band "Serenity," album has it.
Olivia Newton John's Album, Stronger Than Before, includes song "Serenity," with the serenity prayer in it.
DOWN FOR MORE> CLICK: For recovery tattoos
largest gallery on the Internet!
Just for fun, the Senility Prayer
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to run into those I do;
and the eyesight to tell the difference...!!!
Prayer: Jen McGee. Art: Parker Lanier
and the eyesight to tell the difference...!!!
Prayer: Jen McGee. Art: Parker Lanier
A Serenity Prayer for Recovery?
The People Places and Things; recovery version.
God,Grant me the serenity to accept the people I can't change,
the courage to know the places and things to avoid,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
One of our many 12 Step original illustrations on our art page.
the courage to know the places and things to avoid,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
One of our many 12 Step original illustrations on our art page.
Serenity Prayer,
| Serenity Prayer,
|
The Serenity Prayer, in The NY Times
Here a writer shows other similar versions came before. It's almost as if it's a proverb!?
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN Published: July 11, 2008
Here a writer shows other similar versions came before. It's almost as if it's a proverb!?
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN Published: July 11, 2008
"Share" your e-mail for occasional
12 step program FUN stuff !
12 step program FUN stuff !
Our non-profit co-op's books:
The 12 Steps principles illustrated in QUOTES.
334 pgs. Reading a 12 step quote IS Step-work!
FUN step work via 12 Step fine art and 324 big pages of QUOTES!
From Plato to Presidents, George Carlin to the Dalia Lama.Gangsters to gurus!
Ordering information
From Plato to Presidents, George Carlin to the Dalia Lama.Gangsters to gurus!
Ordering information
Cool outside issue books.
Not some author's "opinions" but the wisdom of the ages!
A great recovery tool / gift, some example pages...
Not some author's "opinions" but the wisdom of the ages!
A great recovery tool / gift, some example pages...
 12 step quotes, here some from writers on quantum physics! |  Bill Wilson and Carl Jung a world famous Freudian psychologist corresponded. One result was this incredible letter. |
From 12 step program literature:
"...some ... choose to work Step One in a more systematic fashion. Whatever the case, it's time to some step work..." or we've all heard; write on your step.
On writing, as "step-work", have you a spiritual masterpiece hidden inside as Reinhold and
Bill Wilson and Jimmy K. did?
Bill Wilson and Jimmy K. did?
no opinion 12 step workbooks,
blank lined paged big books (8.5" X 11") with art
 220 pages, lined, a quote on page bottom, and illustrations on the step through the chapters. One great spiritual recovery gift! |  220 pages, lined, a quote on page bottom, and illustrations on the step through the chapters. One great spiritual recovery gift! |
All books spiritually priced,
(free or for minimal donation to inmates...)
from our non-profit co-op of artists, editors...
(free or for minimal donation to inmates...)
from our non-profit co-op of artists, editors...