Serenity Prayer
"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." This prayer is recited at the beginning or end of many recovery meetings.
"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." These words, commonly attributed to theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, were adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1940s and have since become the most recognized words in the recovery world.
The Serenity Prayer is recited at the opening or close of virtually every AA and NA meeting worldwide. Its three requests — serenity, courage, and wisdom — capture three of the most important qualities needed in recovery: the acceptance of powerlessness over addiction, the courage to change behavior, and the discernment to know the difference.
The Serenity Prayer appears on the reverse side of most standard AA and NA sobriety coins. For many people in recovery, the prayer functions as a rapid grounding tool — a few seconds of recitation can interrupt a craving, calm a moment of anger, or restore perspective when life feels overwhelming. Carrying a coin bearing the prayer keeps these words accessible in any moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Terms
Higher Power
A higher power in 12-step recovery is a personal spiritual concept — any force greater than oneself — that supports the surrender and growth central to the program.
Twelve Steps
The Twelve Steps are the core recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous, providing a structured path from addiction to a life of sobriety and purpose.
Sobriety Coin
A sobriety coin is a physical token marking milestones in recovery from addiction, originating in Alcoholics Anonymous.