Rev. Klockers: A prayer of hope that has often been changed

Are you familiar with the Serenity Prayer? It was originally penned by Reinhold Niebuhr, an American theologian, during the years 1932-33.

Niebuhr’s original prayer was this: “Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.”

Niebuhr changing things up a bit later. He personalized the prayer – replacing “us” with “me” and “I,” moved “serenity” to the front, and reworded other portions. This is the version that most are familiar with today:

“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.”

Then, sometime around 1951, Niebuhr updated the prayer once again. The word “grace” was set at the beginning, and the work was expanded to greater length.

Today, some 12-step recovery programs use a slightly different version, and there are a number of others that have been created.

The Serenity Prayer has certainly evolved over the years, but the emphasis has always remained the same. It is a prayer for peace in decision-making and a hope for wisdom.

I love an updated version that I recently discovered. It is from an anonymous source: “God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it’s me.”

This puts a whole new spin on the Serenity Prayer.

I believe this version is sorely needed today. I wish people would pray it and pray it often. We’ve become too polarized. Many people have just stopped listening to anything that disagrees with their particular point of view.

This prayer is for establishing a mindset. It is a recognition of how we may have rejected people outright; we may have written them off because we couldn’t get them to change to our way of thinking.

Is there yet still a way of loving them even if you don’t see eye-to-eye?

Say the prayer often, and God may help you find a way.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 30 years.