God grant us serenity
“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.” (Attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr)
This prayer is beloved world-wide for Christians and followers of 12-step programs.
The Serenity Prayer, as it’s known, brings us into the present; reframes our worries, angst, and stress; right-sizes our power; and returns us to the grace of God that can help us in this moment.
I offer it on this Election Day in the United States as a spiritual practice for preachers this week—and to spark inspiration for preaching this Sunday.
There’s a brief commentary on each phrase along with Scripture verses (NRSVUE) for additional prayers and meditations through the week and beyond.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change”
It galls most of us that we can’t change other people.
We try and try, but we can’t change them to understand as we understand, to behave as we behave, to fix things the way we know they ought to be fixed.
Especially when to us, it is blazingly, appalling obvious!
We hate to confront the truth that we have as little power over people as we do.
We are genuinely, literally powerless to change anyone else.
And that’s a good thing, because otherwise we would control them, and that would twist us into the opposite of holy.
Moreover, we may believe God is “in” control, but God is not controlling.
Rather, God sent Jesus who showed, demonstrated, and invited.
That is our model.
Here are some things we cannot do:
We can’t change votes.
We can’t change people’s hearts or minds.
We can’t change people’s suspicions of or confidence in each other, news sources, politicians, the other party, or ourselves.
We can’t change the ways people will behave on social media.
As human beings, the truth that fosters more serenity than anything else is that we have no power to change anyone but ourselves.
Scripture
I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety. Psalm 4.8
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14.26-27
Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation. Luke 2.29-30
Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars and spreads its wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes its nest on high? Job 33. 26-27
“The courage to change the things I can”
Changing the things we can requires effort, and it requires letting go of something else.
Because all systems are designed to maintain homeostasis, energy must be exerted to create change and overcome inertia.
Beliefs and stories; churches and governments; denominations and parties; families and neighborhoods; who’s in and who’s out—all these systems default to stasis, sameness, status quo.
To take part in changing a system means we have to change the way we interact with it—and the system is designed to rebel.
This is why courage is required to change what can be changed.
Changing what we can also means letting go of a past we thought we were going to carry with us into our future.
That brings grief.
But letting go also unbinds us, sets us free, and gives us a new life that is closer to God’s hopes for us.
Here are some things we can change:
Our own heart, perspective, suspicions, and involvement
Leadership choices we make in the parish and community
Intentionally fostering trust between ourselves and our listeners
Preaching the gospel as faithfully and authentically as possible, even at a cost to ourselves
Laying down our lives for others by supporting, standing up for, and allying ourselves with the oppressed and poor, whether or not others approve
Trusting (and believing) that people are doing the best they can
Extending grace and generosity of spirit
Doing our due diligence: be responsible by reading varieties of news sources; dig into issues; do our homework.
Picking and choosing what we try to change because we can’t do it all
Scripture
Each one helps the other, saying to one another, “Take courage!” Ps. 41.6
I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!” John 16.33
That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.” Acts. 23.11
“The Wisdom to know the difference”
How do we know the difference?
It starts with knowing our core values (for example, our top five), what we believe about the gospel, and the characteristics of God we aspire to practice, and asking for God’s grace to behave like it.
Is my value to control or respect?
Is my value to keep or share?
Is my value to be indifferent or love?
Is my value to distrust or have faith?
Is my value to doom-scroll or hope?
Is it my value to call others evil or a child of God?
Likewise, our congregation needs to stand by its core values, most often articulated through its mission statement.
If the mission statement (or core words) hasn’t been preached on lately, this is a great season to do so!
Sometimes we need to enter into discernment through prayer and rely on the wisdom of others, whether we’re seeking an answer for ourselves or with our congregations.
With humility and vulnerability, asking for help is a sign of wisdom itself.
Plus, it’s OK to say we don’t know, or we don't know yet.
Yes, ambiguity is uncomfortable. We want a clear way forward because we hate uncertainty, especially when anxiety is high.
That’s when we need to breathe, take it slow, and pray for Wisdom to present herself.
Scripture
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” Mt. 11.19
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. I Cor. 1.18
For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. I Cor. 1.25
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. James 3.17
Wisdom gives strength to the wise more than ten rulers who are in a city. Ecc. 7.19
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Ecc. 9.17
But O that God would speak and open his lips to you and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For wisdom is many-sided. Job 11.5-6
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deut. 10.17-19
Finally
I suggest that before we consider what we’ll preach on Sunday, that we begin our sermon prep with this prayer.
I trust that through it, the Spirit will help us face the days ahead with more serenity, more courage to preach the gospel we truly believe, and greater wisdom as we find our way.
In this spirit, Backstory preaching is offering a special workshop this week.
CRAFTING YOUR POST-ELECTION SERMON:
HOW TO PREACH GOOD NEWS THAT TRANSCENDS HEIGHTENED EMOTIONS
If you're grappling with your own anxieties while wondering how to preach a sermon that won't alienate half your congregation, join us Wednesday or Thursday for a time of reflection, insights, and preparation.
This 3-hour workshop will lead you through a process to craft a sermon all listeners can hear. By the end, you'll more deeply understand and empathize with your listeners—even the ones with whom you disagree—about the emotional impact of the election. More importantly, you'll be equipped to draw on the courage of the Spirit to preach through your own fear and disillusionment so you can preach the gospel, come what may.
Two times available to fit your schedule:
Wednesday, 11/6 (5-8 pm Central) OR
Thursday, 11/7 (2-5 pm Central)
Includes OPTIONAL “Preach & Appraise” Session: Attend Saturday to receive feedback and encouragement on your sermon draft from peers. Directions will be given so feedback is offered kindly and usefully.
Saturday, 11/9 (10-12 pm Central)