The desert fathers and mothers undertook these practices, understanding that this was a journey that would last a lifetime. It is a journey that would require continual faith in God to reach a spiritual transformation. They also understood that the real reward was not worldly, but spiritual and a oneness with God.
Often used in recovery programs, the original version of the Serenity Prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr echoes this same journey in faith:
God, give us 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.
QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD
Reflect on each line of the Serenity Prayer, which lines make you uncomfortable? Why?
FAMILY FIELD TALK
With a trusted adult, read the Serenity Prayer and talk about what it means.
PRAYER GUIDE
Today, slowly pray the Serenity Prayer, reflecting on each word.
