God, Grant Me the Serenity

It’s still the first full week of the new year and I’m already a blogpost behind. My unspoken goal is to publish a post on the odd days of the calendar.

Apparently, January 9th snuck by me. So, I owe you one.

The year just started and I can already see the end of the first month.

Since the start of the year, the nonprofit organization I work for has been busy providing a warm, safe space. It looks like we catch a short break Wednesday, January 15th, before returning Sunday, January 19th (Terri’s late sister’s birthday). Once we exit from IWS 2025 Round 2, it’s the end of January and I am traveling to visit my mom and hopefully take her to the eye doctor.

Before we know it, our calendars will turn to February and Valentine’s Day will be upon us.

So far, 2025 has been the year of the Serenity Prayer for me.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me
SERENITY to accept the things
I cannot change,
COURAGE to change the
things I can, and the
WISDOM
to know the difference.

Part of honing in on my priorities means establishing boundaries. Yep. Focus requires boundaries and the discipline to keep them. Naturally, the world encroaches on them the minute you set them up. It’s normal for walls to be tested and for people to test crossing lines. The late Michael Jackson would call that human nature.

Personally, for me, the Serenity Prayer serves as a powerful tool for navigating the onslaught of life’s many challenges. Written by Reinhold Niebuhr, the Serenity Prayer offers guidance for achieving inner peace and clarity amidst difficulties. I have found that its three-part structure—seeking serenity, courage, and wisdom—provides a practical and spiritual framework.

1. Acceptance: Asking for serenity to accept what we cannot change helps us let go of unnecessary stress, regret, or frustration over circumstances beyond our control. It opens the door to freedom. Let’s face it: there’s plenty out there seeking to chain us in relentless bondage.
2. Action: Mustering up the courage to change the things we can helps us take responsibility for our lives and, as a result, encourages us to make meaningful improvements where possible, even when it’s difficult. We need the help of a higher power to do this.
3. Discernment: Praying for the wisdom to know the difference reminds us to pause, reflect, and evaluate situations carefully, ensuring we focus our energy where it can truly make a difference. This helps us make the most of our investments of time.

I find that the Serenity Prayer is especially meaningful in times of uncertainty or grief, offering both comfort and clarity. It serves as a grounding reminder to live with humility and intention, trusting in a higher power for divine guidance to navigate the complexities of life.

I’ve had to call on God a lot this week. I’m sure you have, too.

Until my next post…

Grace and peace,

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™