Sometimes, as you undergo therapy and rehabilitation programs to help you overcome alcohol addiction, you need to take a more spiritual approach to life. Whether you are a religious individual or not, taking time to reflect on your experiences and connect with your spirit is a wonderful way to ensure your life can take better turns. Perhaps one of the best examples of this connection is the Serenity Prayer, a tool that has been used by members of Alcoholics Anonymous since 1942. Needless to say, seeking God’s help is not always a bad option, is it? After all, believing in something bigger than yourself has a way of providing that extra kick to inspire you to become better. In time for the Christmas season, let’s take a closer look at the Serenity Prayer of Alcoholics Anonymous.
For Jack, Our Friend
Back in 1942, Bill W. (one of the founders of AA) wrote about a man named Jack (a former member from New York) in an article for A.A. Comes of Age, which contains the first transcript of the Serenity Prayer reading:
“God grant us serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
courage to change the things we can,
and wisdom to know the difference.”
(Alcoholics Anonymous History, 1992, https://www.aahistory.com/prayer.html)
Almost immediately, people were transfixed by the simplicity and power of this one, simple statement, which has ascended to become the umbrella for the 12-Step program. When you consider Bill’s words, you may begin to realize the importance of this prayer: believing you cannot control everything.
Taking the World by Storm
Essentially, the prayer became so popular that Ruth Hock (the first nonalcoholic member of the Fellowship and their secretary) contacted a Washington D.C. AA rep named Henry S. and asked him about bulk printing the prayer. As a result, an enthusiastic Henry printed 500 copies of the Serenity Prayer and explained that this sentence was enough fuel to help him cope through his alcoholic problems. Remarkably, though, the exact history of this prayer is still wrapped in mystery.
Always remember that alcohol does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
Source:
Alcoholics Anonymous History. (1992). The Origin of Our Serenity Prayer. Retrieved from https://www.aahistory.com/prayer.html
