“This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety, He is my God, and I trust him." – Psalm 91:2 NLT
As someone who has served in the pastoral counseling arena for over 40 years, I have found great support in understanding and meditating on the Serenity Prayer used by most Twelve Step Recovery Groups throughout the world. The intention of the Serenity Prayer is to bring peace, faith, and certainty to the mind and heart of those seeking God’s support in difficult times.
This well-known version was published in 1951 with the addition of the word “grace.” This full version reads:
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
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.
Here are a few supportive principles from the Serenity Prayer that will help you remain strong in your faith during crisis or hardship.
- God will direct your steps. God’s sovereignty and providence are over your paths, steps, and directions. You must accept that God is in control and let His peace settle into your heart and mind.
- There are some things you cannot change. During times of uncertainty, you must trust God. He always has been and always will be sovereign over human history and our lives.
- You need God’s help to navigate the present. Although you may not completely understand what God is doing in your life, your faith in God and His sovereign care helps us to resist panic, knowing that our days are in the Lord’s hand.
- The power to overcome your trials comes from God. Any person living in fear and panic may believe the lie that their circumstances are hopeless. Your job is to “Cast [your] cares on Him” (1 Peter 5:7) daily and let Him be the unshakable source of strength we need.
- You must surrender to God’s purpose in the season of storms. Your hope for the future rests in the power of Christ, who will make your future secure when you surrender your heart daily.
