Thus it is not surprising that the Stoic principles mentioned above have become the foundational principles for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), two of the fastest growing therapeutic orientations, while an amended Serenity Prayer has been adapted for use by members of Alcoholics Anonymous and other self-help approaches.Įarly Christianity developed in a milieu dominated by Stoic and Platonic philosophy, so inevitably Christianity absorbed many Stoic ideas. the use of philosophical methods and insights to explore how people can lead wiser, more reflective lives, cut away from the philosophical mainstream to join forces with psychology. In the 19 th century, practical philosophy i.e. Indeed, Epictetus goes so far as to define Stoicism itself as the study of this distinction: “And to become educated means just this, to learn what things are our own and what are not.” Furthermore, the goal of the good life in Stoic philosophy was always described as the attainment of “serenity”, which meant freedom from overwhelming emotional storms. Hence, the Stoic should always strive to cope with adversity by having ready at hand precepts that remind him, “what is mine, and what is not mine, what is within my power, and what is not”. The discourses of the former Greek slave and Stoic philosopher, Epictetus begins by explaining the Stoic view that our judgments and opinions are preeminently within our power to control, whereas external events, especially sources of wealth and reputation, are ultimately in the hands of Fortune. “Give me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.” The well-known Serenity Prayer is attributed to the greatest American theologian of the twentieth century, Ronald Niebuhr, but Niebuhr was steeped in both ancient philosophy as well as Christian theology, and so was well aware that his Serenity Prayer contained the core tenets of Stoicism: However, many of these traditions predate Christianity, have their origin in Greek humanist philosophy, and do not require a belief in a supreme being. When we pray the line “courage to change the things I can” we may think of how Joshua in the Old Testament was commanded to be strong and courageous, because God was with him.Many atheists, in their ignorance of history and philosophy and their often naïve and aggressive attacks on traditional religions, particularly Christianity, have thrown out the baby with the bath water, dismissing all religious traditions out of hand. Seeking God for wisdom (read the book of Proverbs explores the nature of the Lord’s wisdom).No, this prayer is not in the bible! However, it does allude to some biblical themes, such as:. Is the serenity prayer in the bible? If so, where can I find it? It is thought that Reinhold wrote the first four lines and that the words after this (beginning with “Living one day at a time”), which form the long version of the serenity prayer, were added at a later date, and are probably the work of a different author. The original words of this beautiful prayer are attributed to the Christian writer and theologian Reinhold Neibuhr (1892-1971).
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