Serenity Prayer
Accept, change, know the difference
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.
Attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr. This short form is the one most often said in recovery meetings.
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From the Recovery Prayers on Colors in Recoveryhttps://colorsinrecovery.com/prayers/serenity-prayer/© 2026 Colors in Recovery / JC M. All rights reserved. The prayer’s wording belongs to its source above.
“God” can mean whatever higher power you are working with. Take your time. There is no right way to say it.
If this stirs up more than you can sit with, see the crisis and recovery resources, or Urge Help if an urge is close.