Addiction
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» Serenity Prayer
Serenity Prayer
The serenity prayer is important
to many people in addiction recovery. Some find it comforting
to wear the serenity prayer as jewelry, such as a pewter cross
or a dog tag so they have it with them at all times.
Being able to separate the things that can
be controlled from the things that cannot is a basic and critical
component for continuing the recovery process. Not understanding
this concept can result in frustration, anger, and feeling
stressed-out thus possibly leading to relapse vulnerability.
There are variations of the serenity prayer;
here is the most common variation.
God grant be the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I
can, and wisdom to know the difference.
| God
|
With the saying of this word, I am
admitting the existence of a Higher. A Being far greater
than I. |
| Grant |
With the repeating of this second word
I am admitting that this Higher Power is an authority
that gives and bestows. |
| Me |
I am asking for something for myself.
The Bible states that if I ask it shall be given. It is
not wrong to ask for betterment fro myself. For with the
improvement of my character, people around me will be
happier. |
| Serenity |
I am asking for calmness, composure,
and peace in my life which will enable me to think straight
and govern myself properly. |
| To accept |
I am resigning myself to conditions
as they are right now. |
| The things I cannot change |
I am accepting my lot in life as it
is. Until I have the courage to change any part of my
life I don't like, I must accept it and not accept it
grudgingly.
|
| Courage |
I am asking for the quality of spirit
to face conditions without flinching. |
| To Change |
I am asking for conditions to be different. |
| The Things I Can |
I am asking for help to make the right
decisions and seek progress not perfection. |
| Wisdom |
I am asking for the ability to form
sound judgments in any and all manners. |
| To know |
I want to be able to understand clearly
truths of fact. |
| The Difference |
I want to see things differently in
my life so there can be distinction. I need to sense a
definite value in love over selfishness.
|
The Promises
is another popular prayer for recovering addicts.
Recommended Reading
The Spiritual Self 
Reflections on Recovery
and God
by Abraham J. Twerski
Written in a way that is easy to understand,
this book shows how spirituality, independent of religion,
is central to emotional and mental health, and is a key to
being truly and profoundly human.
|
