The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-Step program is a widely known and effective program for drug and alcohol addiction recovery. One of the key aspects of AA is prayers, including the famous Serenity Prayer, also known as the AA prayer.
The Serenity Prayer is often associated with AA, but it’s been attributed to theologians and saints. Learn more about the Serenity Prayer and its value in recovery.
Key Points
- The Serenity Prayer is the key AA prayer and promotes inner peace and focus in recovery.
- Though the Serenity Prayer is well known, AA and other recovery programs rely on several prayers.
- AA is a faith-based program that uses prayers in recovery but is open to all faiths and belief systems.
What Is The Serenity Prayer?
As a faith-based program, AA relies on prayer or meditation in meetings, particularly at the end. The Serenity Prayer, or AA prayer, is often used to close the sessions. Though there are religious overtones to the Serenity Prayer, it’s not strictly religious. You don’t need to be religious to appreciate the message and wisdom the prayer imparts.
Religious people consider the Serenity Prayer within the constructs of religion, but for those who are not, the prayer is a mediation to a higher power. AA itself may be Christian in origin, but it only requires that its members commit to a power greater than themselves rather than one religion’s view of God.
The Serenity Prayer is as follows:[1]
God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; 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 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 things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next.
Often, the Serenity Prayer is shortened to:
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.
The words of the prayer encourage reflection on the inner self and finding freedom from substance use. In recovery, the need for control can be a big challenge and obstacle to finding inner peace. The Serenity Prayer’s message acts as a reminder that giving up addiction and breaking the cycle of substance use requires you to let go of the need to control.
Other AA Prayers
The AA Big Book is now used as a guide in AA meetings, but before it was written, the Christian-based organization used the Bible. The early names for the program were based on the Bible as well, including a suggestion for “The James Club” after the Book of James.[2]
The Serenity Prayer has a strong association with AA, but there are many other prayers the program uses:[3]
First Step Prayer
Dear Lord, I admit that I am powerless over my addiction. I admit that my life is unmanageable when I try to control it. Help me this day to understand The true meaning of powerlessness. Remove from me all denial of my addiction.
Second Step Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know in my heart that only you can restore me to sanity. I humbly ask that you remove all twisted thought & Addictive behavior from me this day. Heal my spirit & restore in me a clear mind.
Third Step Prayer
God, I offer myself to Thee To build with me & to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, That victory over them may bear witness To those I would help of Thy Power, Thy love & Thy way of life, May I do Thy will always!
Seventh Step Prayer
My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good & bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character Which stands in the way of my usefulness to you & my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here to do your bidding.
Eleventh Step Prayer
Higher Power, as I understand You, I pray to keep my connection with You Open & clear from the confusion of daily life. Through my prayers & meditation I ask especially for Freedom from self-will, rationalization, & wishful thinking. I pray for the guidance of correct thought & positive action. Your will Higher Power, not mine, be done.
Who Wrote The Serenity Prayer?
The Serenity Prayer is a helpful meditation and reflection on recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and perfectly complements the spiritual message of the 12-step program.
The true author of the Serenity Prayer is unknown, but there are theories. Some believe that St. Francis of Assisi or St. Augustine wrote the prayer, while others believe it originated from an ancient Sanskrit text. The first documented use of the prayer was in 1948, which came from the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr and his sermons in the 1930s and 1940s.[4]
The Serenity Prayer’s Significance in Addiction Recovery
The Serenity Prayer can have different interpretations and significance for everyone who hears it. However, its message reminds us that inner peace comes from having the wisdom and courage to relinquish control.
The need for control is an important part of addiction and recovery. The prayer is used in AA as an extension of the worldview of Bill W., the program co-founder. In his book, Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill described alcoholics as self-centered, “an actor who wants to run the whole show; is forever trying to arrange the lights, the ballet, the scenery and the rest of the players in his way.”[5]
With addiction, the need to control yourself and your environment can be intense and unrelenting. However, no one can control everything. People who struggle with addiction may seek ways to control themselves and their environment, such as self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. The Serenity Prayer reminds us that absolute control is impossible, but we can control ourselves.
Find Recovery from Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholics Anonymous is an important part of addiction recovery for millions of people. The Serenity Prayer and other prayers and ideas are part of that, but it’s important to remember that these are just tools. They’re not enough to treat addiction on their own and need to be included in a comprehensive addiction treatment program.