MIDWEEK MESSAGE – May 7, 2025

Anyone who knows me understands that I love the Serenity Prayer. The version I know and frequently use is a shorter variant of the prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr. The prayer in its entirety reads:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 

Courage to change the things I can, and

The wisdom to know the difference. 

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time.

Accepting hardship 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 all things right if I surrender to His Will. 

I recently saw it rewritten in a way that touched my heart because it reflects how the prayer has worked in my life for many years.

I asked for strength, and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

 I asked for wisdom, and God gave me problems to learn and solve.

 I asked for prosperity, and God gave me a brain and brawn to work.

 I asked for courage, and God gave me dangers to overcome.

 I asked for love, and God gave me people to help.

 I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.

 I received nothing I wanted.

 I received everything I needed.

These verses make me grateful for my life as it has been and is today. Yes, difficulties, problems, challenges, grief, dangers, and people have tested my patience and tolerance. Indeed, there have been growth opportunities.  

Most importantly, I have realized that, although I did not always receive what I thought I wanted or seemed to need, I have always received everything I needed by surrendering my life to God.