The disciples said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). One way to pray is played out in most 12-Step meetings. We recite the Serenity Prayer. But we usually only recite the short version. There is more:
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 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.
Recovery Step: Recite the Serenity Prayer, long version, as your own prayer – now.
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
Thank you most kindly for sharing the serenity prayer. It is so powerful. God touched my spirit with it today. May the lord grant peace and hope to all his children living on earth and looking forward to our heavenly home.
Thank you most kindly for sharing the serenity prayer. It is so powerful. God touched my spirit with it today. May the lord grant peace and hope to all his children living on earth and looking forward to our heavenly home.