According to Chat GPT, the Serenity Prayer is often found on posters, plaques, and decorative items like mugs, bookmarks, and wall hangings, sold at gift shops or online retailers. I’ve seen it in corporate offices as well! And it’s most known for being a part of 12 Step recovery programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s quite a popular 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.”
The heart of the prayer is: I desire to be at peace when I can’t control what’s happening. Is this not a relatable desire for so many of us? The interesting thing about it is, there’s only one thing we can actually control and that is oneself. We do have some opportunities to influence outcomes however, but most things are quite literally out of control. Although this is easy to grasp, it can still create anxiety, frustration, worry, and fear.
The Serenity Prayer is a good thing to say for sure, but let’s go deeper in this quiet time and let the scriptures show a perspective on how to handle what we cannot control–for peace of mind and heart.
“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Q: What are some of the facts that you “understand” about the situation you cannot control?
Q: Think of (2) action steps you can take to surrender the facts (let them go) and engage your heart towards trusting God in the situation?
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17
Q: What would have motivated this psalmist to pray for favor from God?
Q: By the psalmist asking God to establish the work that he and the people around him performed, what does this infer about their capabilities or capacity?
Action Item: Write your own (similar) psalm pertaining to the situation that you cannot control.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12
Background: Jeremiah the prophet was relaying a message from God to the people who were in slavery–a situation where they had no control.
Reflection: Describe by paraphrasing this promise that God gave the people as it relates to your situation.
Q: What part of this promise speaks to me the most that I can hold onto when needed?
- God has a plan to prosper me.
- God does not plan to harm me.
- God has a plan to give me hope.
- God has a plan to give me a future.
Now that he has established with the people the fact that he has a great plan for them, he says “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Q: What is my part of the equation of God’s good plan and how can I act on it now?
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
Q: What is a trigger or tell-tale sign that anxiety, worry or fear is appearing when I realize I have no control over a situation?
Q: How can I practically acknowledge but let go of these emotions–and put my trust in God?
-CASE STUDY-
“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” Hebrews 11:17-19
Abraham is a great case study in trusting God which is ultimately the answer when there’s nothing you can or should do. Abraham is credited for having great faith because he was told by God to sacrifice his son Issac. Here’s the thing, God had already promised Abraham that many generations of offspring would come from Isaac, so if he killed him, then that promise would have been invalid. So Abraham reasoned that God would raise his son from the dead, back to life. Abraham trusted God and his promises so much that he was going to carry out the instructions God gave him because he knew God would find a way to still make good on his promise. [Genesis 22 for the whole story]
Q: How can I, through reasoning that God can be trusted, adopt Abraham’s example of faith that will give me peace about what I cannot control?
Rise and Shine Bright.