“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.”
Simple. Timeless. Deeply American.
As I’ve written in past blog posts, it’s really a Wisdom prayer based upon the combination of serenity and acceptance with courage and action. It’s what this country was built upon: tenacity and grace.
This prayer, penned nearly a century ago by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, has become a quiet anthem for millions—especially those in recovery, faith communities, or simply struggling to stay centered in turbulent times. Yet, remarkably, no major presidential candidate has ever framed a campaign message or national address around it.
In an era when politics often amplifies outrage and fear, the Serenity Prayer offers a countercultural call to humility, courage, and discernment. It reminds us that strength isn’t about control—it’s about clarity. The serenity to accept what’s beyond us, the courage to take responsibility for what’s within us, and the wisdom to know the difference could guide not just a person, but a nation.
Imagine a leader standing before a weary America and saying: “We cannot control the past or every force beyond our borders. But we can control how we show up—for one another, for our planet, for the future.”
That’s not red or blue. It’s human.
We’re long overdue for a national conversation about emotional maturity, moral courage, and the value of wisdom. The Serenity Prayer—recited in church basements, whispered in hospital rooms, and memorized by millions—might just be the spiritual compass America needs.
When the next candidate invokes it, not as a slogan but as a shared value, we may finally remember what unites us: the desire to live with calm, courage, and wisdom in a restless world.
-Chip