Spotlight On Sobriety 09/14/2025
- Steve N.
- Sep 9, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 15, 2025
In this week's publication:
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Spotlight On Sobriety 09/14/2025
The History of the Serenity Prayer
The Serenity Prayer is one of the most recognized and beloved prayers in recovery. Its simple yet profound words — asking for serenity, courage, and wisdom — have brought comfort to millions of Alcoholics Anonymous members and countless others facing life’s challenges. But where did this prayer come from, and how did it become such a central part of AA?
Origins
The prayer is most often attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, an American theologian, who is believed to have first offered it in a sermon in the early 1940s. While earlier variations of its message can be traced to Christian devotionals (e.g., St. Francis of Assisi) and ancient philosophy (e.g., Stoic teachings), Niebuhr’s phrasing gave the prayer the concise beauty we know today.
The first widely printed version appeared in 1943 in a New York newspaper, at the height of World War II. Its message of peace in the midst of struggle resonated deeply. Soldiers carried copies of the prayer into battle, clergy shared it in sermons, and it quickly spread through churches and communities as a message of hope.
Adoption in AA
AA first encountered the prayer in 1941, when it was printed in the New York Herald Tribune. A member clipped it out and mailed it to the Alcoholics Anonymous office in New York. Co-founder Bill W. immediately saw its value for people seeking sobriety, calling it “a perfect example of AA wisdom condensed into prayer.” From then on, the Serenity Prayer began circulating in newsletters, letters, and meeting rooms. By the 1950s, it was printed on AA pocket cards and became a fixture at the close of meetings.
Long Version
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 hardship 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;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.
Most AA members know the shorter form
Short Version
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.
Niebuhr’s longer version included additional lines about living “one day at a time,” accepting hardship as part of life, and trusting God’s will. While powerful, the shorter version carried a universal appeal that crossed faith traditions and personal beliefs, making it particularly well-suited for the AA fellowship.
Why It Endures
The enduring strength of the Serenity Prayer is its balance. It doesn’t promise a life without pain or struggle, but it does offer a path forward: accept what we cannot control, act where we can, and seek wisdom to discern between the two. These themes align naturally with the Twelve Steps, especially the principles of surrender, courage, and spiritual growth.
For many, the prayer is more than ritual — it is a daily lifeline, grounding us in the present and reminding us we are not alone.
A Song of Serenity
The prayer continues to inspire creativity today. A recent musical setting of the Serenity Prayer beautifully captures its timeless spirit and has moved many listeners in recovery. You can listen here: Serenity Prayer Song – YouTube.
Whether spoken, sung, or simply held quietly in the heart, the Serenity Prayer remains a guiding light, helping us find peace — one day at a time.
Credit to my home group, Alcoholics Together Las Vegas for helping provide some of the content that was put together for their 40th year celebration in Oct 2024. Also special thanks to Paula S.
Steve N
Las Vegas, NV
From Our Archives
IAC Newsletter, November 1987IAC is the former name of GaL-AA
CONFERENCE APPROVED PAMPHLET
Work has begun on the process of obtaining General Service Conference approval for an A.A. pamphlet of particular interest to the gay and lesbian alcoholic. An ambitious schedule is in place to permit presentation of the proposal to the GSO Board of Directors at their January 31st meeting in New York.
A range of studies suggest that the lesbian and gay communities experience a rate of alcoholism three times greater than that of society as a whole. The isolation familiar to all drinking alcoholics is often deepened by the process of "identifying out", fostered among lesbians and gay men by their own institutions and by society at large. That A. A. seeks to reach the entire range of suffering alcoholics was demonstrated from the earliest days with the adoption of the Third Tradition in 1937. The provision of conference approved literature is designed to reach those who do not know that their desire to stop drinking through the fellowship of A.A. is not negated by their sexual orientation. The pamphlet proposed will be similar to "Gay or Lesbian and Alcoholic?" which was produced by IAC and has been distributed successfully throughout A.A.
Conference approval guarantees that the literature so designated meets all the standards of A.A. as a whole and ensures its wide accessibility. The process of gaining conference approval is therefore stringent and a long one, taking several years to complete. This effort will involve patience and lots of hard work. We will need your help in achieving the goal. Our success will be effective Twelfth Step progress- carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers
Original Newsletter 1987
(Editorial note: This excerpt from the 1987 IAC Newsletter highlights early efforts to support LGBTQ+ alcoholics. In 1987 IAC was actively working on the proposal to submit to the General Service Conference for approval of a pamphlet directed at the gay and lesbian alcoholics. The first AA approved pamphlet “A.A. and the Gay/Lesbian Alcoholic” was published in 1989. See original copy and current edition links below).
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GaL-AA Roundup Listing
✨ Our Roundup Listing Has Been Updated! ✨
We’ve added new Roundups to our Roundup Listing page, complete with links to each event.
Visit the page to explore upcoming gatherings and opportunities for connection. Click Here.
👉 Know of a Roundup we don’t have listed? Or see something that needs correcting?
Please send us the details so we can keep our list current and helpful for everyone.
Steve N at- web.support@gal.org
Call For Candidates & Notice Of Annual Meeting
As part of our commitment to transparency, leadership renewal, and member engagement, the Executive Committee of GaL-AA is pleased to announce that we will hold elections for Deputy Chair, Secretary, and Advisor II at our Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM on Zoom. Annual Meeting information is available on our Annual Meeting page.
Those interested in service should submit a resume by September 28, 2025, at 5:00 PM, ET. This is your opportunity to step forward and make a meaningful contribution to the Alcoholics Anonymous LGBTQ+ community. Election, open position, and requirements are available on our Election Page.
Please submit your resume, a brief statement of interest or qualifications, and a brief record of your service in Alcoholics Anonymous using the "Candidate Submittal" button on our Election Page.
Why participate? Elections are a vital part of our democratic process. Whether you're running for a position or casting your vote, your voice matters. Let’s shape the future of GaL-AA together.
If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to us at elections@gal-aa.org.
GaL-AA's Spotlight On Sobriety 09/14/2025
The Spotlight On Sobriety features personal stories, articles and reflections submitted by members and friends of the fellowship. The views expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of Alcoholics Anonymous or GaL-AA.
Your GaL-AA Newsletter Team
