What Is The AA Serenity Prayer?

In Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the Serenity Prayer acts as a daily reflection on the relationship between inner peace and sobriety.

Serenity refers to remaining in the present moment by letting go of control and accepting life on life’s terms.

Sometimes referred to as the “AA prayer,” reciting the Serenity Prayer is a routine part of 12-step programs, like AA and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). It’s often used to close a meeting.

Keep reading to learn about the history of the Serenity Prayer, its long and short versions, and how it came to play such an important role in support groups like AA.

The Serenity Prayer: Where Did It Come From?

Although its origins are debated, some believe the Serenity Prayer was written in 1932 by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, a professor at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Though Niebuhr reportedly wrote the prayer as early as 1932, it remained relatively obscure until he presented it during a wartime sermon in 1943, after which it spread rapidly through church networks and eventually reached AA.

The Serenity Prayer And AA

In 1941, after the Serenity Prayer was published in an obituary in the New York Herald Tribune, the prayer was adopted as a key component of AA. Since then, it has served as a mantra for the sick and suffering everywhere, both in and beyond AA meetings.

The exact path by which the Serenity Prayer reached AA is not definitively established. Some accounts credit AA co-founder Bill W. with finding it in the aforementioned 1941 obituary, though others dispute the timeline. What is clear is that by the mid-1940s, the prayer had become a central part of AA culture.

AA’s co-founder, William Wilson, said the following of the Serenity Prayer: “Never have we seen so much AA packed into so few words.”

Long And Short Versions Of The Serenity Prayer

There are two versions of the Serenity Prayer: a long and a short version. The short version is the most common and is often recited at the end of AA meetings.

The short version of the Serenity Prayer is:

“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.”

The longer prayer is less commonly known, but it is still highly relatable to AA.

The full Serenity Prayer is:

“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.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make things right
if I surrender to His will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever and ever in the next.
Amen.”

The Serenity Prayer And Its Powerful Message

The Serenity Prayer is a reminder that some situations are within our control while others are not.

Sometimes, people with substance use disorders talk in AA meetings about situations that they can’t control, or moments in their lives that don’t go according to plan.

A major part of substance use recovery is learning how to “live life on life’s terms.” This idea is centered on letting go of the desire to change people and circumstances that we have no control over.

These uncontrollable moments might act as a trigger and significantly impact mental health. But in recovery, people are taught to use these experiences as opportunities to learn and grow.

The Serenity Prayer encourages people to take action when they have the opportunity to change a situation. Action may entail “doing the right thing,” talking to a sponsor, or knowing when to let go.

The Use Of “God”

God is mentioned several times in the Serenity Prayer. Unfortunately, this word can sometimes discourage new members from trusting the AA process.

In its early days, AA was rooted in Christianity and recognized as a Christian program. But it’s important to note that today, AA is not a religious program; it’s a spiritual program.

When reading “the big book” of Alcoholics Anonymous, you’ll notice the word “god” is used throughout. However, the term “higher power” is used interchangeably, as well.

When you enter AA, you’ll learn that “god” refers to a higher power of your own choosing. Your higher power can be based in a religion, or it doesn’t have to be associated with a religion at all.

For some, it can be helpful to replace the word “god” with the term “higher power.” This will make the prayers more relatable to you.

Some people in recovery use entirely secular versions of the Serenity Prayer, replacing religious language with neutral framing. For example: “Give 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.”

SMART Recovery and other secular programs use similar acceptance-based frameworks drawn from the same core idea, without spiritual language.

Using The Serenity Prayer As A Daily Recovery Tool

Beyond AA meetings, many people in recovery use the Serenity Prayer as a personal check-in tool throughout the day.

When facing a stressful situation, pausing to ask “Is this something I can change, or something I need to accept?” can interrupt automatic reactions that may otherwise lead to cravings or relapse.

Some people write the prayer in a journal each morning as part of their recovery routine. Others keep it on their phone or posted somewhere visible as a reminder during difficult moments.

Sponsors often encourage newcomers to return to the prayer when they notice themselves becoming preoccupied with things outside their control, one of the most common emotional relapse triggers.

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Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff