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Religion/spirituality

The Serenity Prayer

(32 Posts)
Anniebach Thu 23-Nov-17 12:40:26

There are some here who are suffering pain both physical and emotional, for them -

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.

Squiffy Thu 23-Nov-17 13:01:07

Wise words Annie. I'm not sure that I'm very good at any of them, especially the 'courage' one. Must try harder.

Anniebach Thu 23-Nov-17 13:17:13

Squiffy, all anyone can do is try x

Squiffy Thu 23-Nov-17 13:23:40

Annie Here's a quote that I do always adhere to:

"For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed"

Sometimes it's the wonder, joy and awe of little things that keep us going and lift us, isn't it?

Squiffy Thu 23-Nov-17 13:24:22

Sorry Annie didn't mean to hijack your thread with another quote blush

Anniebach Thu 23-Nov-17 13:30:42

Squiffy , it's a lovely quote . Any words which may help even one person is a blessing x

But not - get yourself together ?

NanKate Thu 23-Nov-17 13:58:26

Lovely to read these sayings.

Struggling like so many others here to keep on top of family problems.

Grateful I have got GN to vent my feelings.

Fennel Thu 23-Nov-17 17:28:56

It's a lovely prayer, Annie. We waste so much time trying to change things that we can never influence.
I say a sort of prayer every day asking for peace in our families. I say all our names and try to picture each one. (I don't see them often).

nanaK54 Thu 23-Nov-17 17:31:41

Amen

Jalima1108 Thu 23-Nov-17 17:56:28

I have always liked that prayer Anniebach and the message it gives.

MawBroon Thu 23-Nov-17 18:01:47

I love it too Anniebach but goodness, if everybody observed it there wouldn’t be much happening on GN would there? grin

loopyloo Thu 23-Nov-17 18:18:03

It's the wisdom bit that gets me. Even after 71 years I still make terrible misjudgements.
Another prayer I like is
" Lord give me patience but hurry!"

lemongrove Thu 23-Nov-17 19:53:45

Or ‘Lord, make me chaste, but not yet ‘
Who is that attributed to? Saint...?

Lovely words Annie to try and live by.smile
And ‘ in the darkest hour, comes the dawn’

Jalima1108 Thu 23-Nov-17 19:55:11

Maw grin

Jalima1108 Thu 23-Nov-17 19:56:35

loopyloo that is DH's prayer

St Augustine lemongrove - he whose name is remembered in the naming of many churches and schools!

Anniebach Thu 23-Nov-17 20:22:51

I think St Augustine lemon .

Yes I very much like the words, I think we see it in practice more than we realise , athletes in the para Olympics for example .

lemongrove Thu 23-Nov-17 22:04:16

Thank you wise ones.smile

Humbertbear Fri 24-Nov-17 08:32:22

My HT often used to say this prayer in school assembly and I think it entered my psyche as it has always informed how I approach issues in life.

Anniebach Fri 24-Nov-17 08:41:25

Has always been important for me Humbertbear

Smileless2012 Tue 28-Nov-17 14:26:44

It's one of my favourites Annie, I have it on my book marker. 'God grant me the sincerity to accept the things I cannot change' has got me through my darkest and saddest moments.

Anniebach Tue 28-Nov-17 16:05:07

Me too Smileless, at very sad and at difficult times, very wise words, acceptance is so important yet so difficult x

Anniebach Tue 28-Nov-17 16:05:07

Me too Smileless, at very sad and at difficult times, very wise words, acceptance is so important yet so difficult x

Marelli Tue 28-Nov-17 21:25:44

‘God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.’

In the past year or so, I’ve spoken this prayer to myself quite often. Some things I have managed to accept (sometimes), and knowledge that the only thing (or person) I can change is myself.
Somehow, reciting the prayer silently to myself, and listening (in my mind) to what the words mean, calms my mind.

Anniebach Tue 28-Nov-17 21:45:17

I think it is important to think on the words as well as pray them, such a simple pray to say but how difficult to reach the point when one realises to accept is all one can do, it needs to be acceptance which doesn't bring anger or resentment with it, then come complete acceptance

Marelli Tue 28-Nov-17 22:29:30

Anniebach, I know....because certain things happen over which we have absolutely no control whatsoever. When these things happen, it takes time to come to terms with and eventually, we hope, we can accept. ?