When I think about acceptance prayer, the first that comes to mind is The Serenity Prayer -the common name for a prayer authored by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971). This is a beautiful acceptance prayer which has always inspired me. Life is challenging and at times, you don’t have an answer for the things that happen in your life. In such circumstances, this prayer will be of immense value. This prayer will give you peace and courage to move on in life.
The Serenity Prayer is a prayer of acceptance and acceptance brings peace.
The Serenity Prayer
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 all 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.
Niebuhr, who first wrote the prayer for a sermon at Heath Evangelical Union Church in Heath, Massachusetts, used it widely in sermons as early as 1934 and first published it in 1951 in a magazine column. The prayer spread both through Niebuhr’s sermons and church groups in the 1930s and 1940s and was later adopted and popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous and other twelve-step programs.
AA Acceptance Prayer
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober, unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes.
Powerful Prayers for Acceptance
- Lord Jesus, please come into my life right now. I know I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I realize that I can never be good enough to deserve eternal life. But I believe you died to save me, so now I put my trust in you and accept you as my personal Saviour. I give myself to you and receive you as Lord and master over my life. Change me and help me to be willing to let you guide me in everything. I accept your gift of eternal life and your power to forgive me and change me. Thank you. Amen
- Lord Jesus, I open my heart to you in this moment. I confess my faults and accept that I fall short on my own. Please forgive me, guide me, and help me embrace your mercy. I trust in your promise of redemption and surrender my life to your loving care. Thank you. Amen
- Heavenly Father, I humbly seek your grace. I know I have erred and ask for your forgiveness. Help me accept the truth that your love redeems me despite my imperfections. Let your light fill my spirit, and teach me to live by your word. Thank you. Amen
- Lord, in this time of need, I ask you to come closer and heal my troubled heart. I acknowledge my shortcomings and accept your endless mercy. Transform my life with your love and help me let go of past mistakes, trusting that your guidance leads to a brighter future. Thank you. Amen
Prayers for Self-Acceptance
- Lord, help me see myself as you see me. Teach me to embrace my imperfections and celebrate the person you created me to be. Grant me peace and the strength to be true to myself. Thank you. Amen
- Dear God, I ask for your wisdom to love and accept myself fully. Help me overcome self-doubt and recognize that I am worthy of your love and grace. Guide me toward inner peace and self-respect. Thank you. Amen
- Heavenly Father, remind me daily that I am your creation, wonderfully made. Help me accept my flaws and cherish my strengths as part of the unique tapestry of who I am. Fill me with your love and grant me self-compassion. Thank you. Amen
- Lord Jesus, please show me how to love myself as you love me. In moments of self-doubt, let me feel your embrace and know that I am enough. Help me to accept every part of my being with humility and grace. Thank you. Amen
Prayers for Acceptance of Change
- Dear Lord, in times of transition, help me embrace change with an open heart. Guide me to see new beginnings in every ending and grant me the strength to adapt with grace. Thank you for leading me forward. Amen
- Lord, I face change with both hope and uncertainty. Please grant me the courage to accept new paths and the wisdom to learn from each experience. May I trust your plan as I move forward into the unknown. Thank you. Amen
- Heavenly Father, help me find peace amidst change. I accept that life evolves, and I trust in your guidance as I adjust to new seasons. Fill me with hope and courage to welcome each new day. Thank you. Amen
- Lord Jesus, as the winds of change blow around me, help me remain grounded in your love. Teach me to see every challenge as a stepping stone and every change as an opportunity for growth. Thank you. Amen
Prayers for Acceptance of God’s Will
- Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to your divine will. I trust in your plan, even when I do not understand it. Guide me to accept your ways and fill me with your grace. Thank you. Amen
- Heavenly Father, help me let go of my own desires and embrace your will for my life. I trust that your path is perfect, and I ask for the strength to follow it faithfully. Thank you. Amen
- Dear God, I choose to accept your will over my own. Lead me in your truth and light, and help me to find peace in the understanding that you hold my future. Thank you. Amen
- Lord, teach me to trust in your perfect plan. I acknowledge that your will is greater than my own ambitions, and I ask for the wisdom and humility to follow your guidance each day. Thank you. Amen
Prayers for Acceptance in Difficult Times
- Lord, in these challenging moments, help me to accept the hardships I face. Strengthen me to overcome adversity, and remind me that your love is with me through every trial. Thank you. Amen
- Dear Jesus, when I am burdened by sorrow and uncertainty, grant me the grace to accept what I cannot change. Fill my heart with your peace and give me hope to see brighter days ahead. Thank you. Amen
- Heavenly Father, I ask for your support in times of difficulty. Help me accept the struggles that come my way, and guide me to learn and grow from each one. Let your love be my anchor in these trying times. Thank you. Amen
- Lord Jesus, I face tough times with a heavy heart, yet I know I am not alone. Help me to accept my challenges and trust in your healing power. Guide me to find strength in your presence and comfort in your love. Thank you. Amen
What is the secret behind the Acceptance Prayer’s power?
The language is humble, its lessons simple and its history not particularly romantic. But its messages are both personal and universal; easy to understand yet difficult to execute.
Acceptance is not laziness. When we devote inordinate attention to the things we cannot change, we expend physical, emotional and mental energy that could be directed elsewhere. Accepting that there are some things we cannot change does not make us complacent.
We must have the courage to change ourselves. One of the life’s greatest challenges is imagining how our lives could be different than they are now. Often, our deeply-ingrained habits are our own worst enemies, and simply identifying them is half the battle. Since habits gain power through repetition, it takes real focus and perspective to take a look at ourselves.
Hardship can be good for you. Of course, life will bring many challenges and obstacles. When we view these obstacles not just as frustrations or failures, but as opportunities for growth and learning, we can transcend our circumstances.
Yes, acceptance is a choice—a hard one most definitely, but a choice nonetheless. There are two ways out of a problem: accept what’s happening, see the positive, and choose a peaceful state of mind; or fight against it, be miserable, and struggle against the universe.
Acceptance, in my opinion, is the key to converting momentary happiness to enduring happiness. It helps you move from feeling happy to actually being happy. Practicing acceptance prepares you to live in this changing world, where you never know what’s going to happen next. Acceptance is like protecting yourself with your own shield.
Let me clarify that acceptance is not at all related to weakness, and is definitely not a synonym of conformity or mediocrity.
Acceptance is a vital part of growth and healing. These prayers help you embrace forgiveness, trust in change, and surrender to God’s plan. They remind us that even in our imperfections and during challenging times, there is grace to be found. Allow these words to inspire a deeper connection with yourself, your journey, and your faith. Embrace each prayer as a stepping stone toward a life filled with love, acceptance, and renewed hope.
Deniz Yalım is the founder and visionary behind BayArt, a platform renowned for its deeply resonant and inspirational content focusing on love, relationship, happiness, success and motivation.
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