i dont pray, but love this "Serenity Prayer" thingy....here is why...

by oompa 7 Replies latest jw friends

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  oompa

  Prayer: 1. G_d, grant me the serenity to accept the things i can not change,

  me- now that could make life serene....there are things in life we just can not change, like others faith in something we know to be false

  Prayer: 2. the courage to change the things i can,

  me- some changes take a lot of courage....because some changes come with painful side-effects, and some changes have a huge unknown factor that can make you afraid to make the change....thus the need for courage

  Prayer: 3. and the wisdom to know the difference.

  me- and that last part also leads to a calmer life, serenity............all in all it is just so damm short and smart............i like the message............oompa

  i dont really pray it....as to a divine entity.......but i do reflect on it a good bit..........NA meetings begin and end with this prayer (so i like them better)......AA meetings open with it, but end with this freaky long version chant of the Lords Prayer!!!!.........there is lots of chanting at AA meetings......freaks me out.........
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  Saoirse

  oompa, I'm glad that you found a way to make the Serenity prayer work for you. I imagine it must be difficult to go through those AA programs when you don't pray or believe in higher power. It shows a lot of character to be able to find a way to make it work despite that. Keep up the good work!
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  choosing life

  I always liked the serenity prayer. Didn't know they used it at NA/AA meetings. It is good to remember when things are not going as we wish they would.

  We spend way too much time trying to change things we just can't.

  Hope things are going well for you, Oompa. It is great you are getting the help you need. Best wishes to you.
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  Satanus

  The chanting tends to give an altered mind state. Not necesarily a bad thing, if you are among people that you trust, and agree w what is going on. By yourself is the best time to chant, imo. Chanting can snap you out of a bad state, like depression, desire to drink,etc.

  S
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  mouthy

  I used to attend the AA meetings with my brother-in-law
  I really like that prayer. It worked for him he is dry for years,

  Funny thing was when he was drinking,was taken to court
  by his wife as he sold everything he could for booze...
  Before he was sentenced ,I told his lawyer he could come
  live with me & my hubby( I was a JW) The judge told him
  "Your Brother & his wife Has offered you a home with them
  which I am willing to sentence otherwise you would get 3 months in Jail"
  GUESS what he said he would rather do???? Yes you got it!!
  He said I rather go to Jail!!!!He did!!!! But when he came out
  no one wanted him. So he had to come to us........LOL

  OOmpa my darling ((((((((((HUGS)))) You wanna come to MY house ????
  put down that shoe!!!!! Love you my darling Keep on keeping on
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  jwfacts

  When I was a child my bible study conductor told me the serenity prayer. When not in a prayer format I think this is one of the greatest pieces of advice ever written.
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  AwSnap

  Any friend of Bill is a friend of mine. You're doing great.
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  chickpea

  another gem, not a prayer,
  from mahatma ghandi:
  
  be the change you want to see in the world

  he also said something to the effect
  that even tho we may never realize
  the result of an action we take, we can
  be assured if we take no action, there
  will be no result....

  pulling for ya, oomps

  chickpea ( of the just about 20 years sober class)