EXPLANATION OF SERENITY PRAYER:
The Serenity prayer has been written by Reinhold Niebuhr. It is a source of
inspiration in every day meditation. It is important 'to pray' the Serenity
Prayer, not like a parrot, tirelessly and inattentively, but by thinking
about the meaning of every word in the light of the Twelve Steps for
example.
After I have admitted that I am powerless to improve my own personal life
and those who are part of it, I turn to God and ask Him for the serenity to
accept this fact. This means that I 'ask' Him and I believe He shall give it
to me. It is that simple! With sincerity of heart and by the grace of God, I
receive the serenity which is His peace: the peace of mind.
To accept others and the things I cannot control is not always easy. But
with God's help, I can reach an effective detachment which permits me to
live and let live.
When I pray to God, I get strength and courage to change the things I can.
Soon with the fourth step, I come to admit that I did not always act
reasonably and that I have a lot to improve. Again, the fifth step reminds
me that I am not alone. I am with Him and He is with me as long as I let Him
come into my life. I also need the support of others to improve and
sometimes help me change some bad habits or deficiencies.
God will set me free but I must consent to ask Him. This is the freedom that
He has given me to choose my own good and by prayer and meditation, He will
make known to me His plan for me.
Through the gift of His wisdom, I come to recognize when I have to accept
things, people, circumstances I cannot change, or when I should ask for
courage to change something. The difference this makes in my life is shown
by an acceptance with joy and the Power from above to change myself, which I
never thought possible before.
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