Serenity Prayer in Spanish
The Serenity Prayer in Spanish reads: "Dios, concédeme la serenidad para aceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar, el valor para cambiar las que sí puedo, y la sabiduría para conocer la diferencia." In English that is "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." In Spanish the prayer is called la Oración de la Serenidad. Serenidad means serenity, valor means courage, and sabiduría means wisdom. The Serenity Prayer is attributed to the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. It is widely used in 12-step recovery groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous.
Prayer sits beside treatment and support for addiction. It does not replace them. Anyone struggling with addiction can talk to a doctor, a counselor, a pastor, or a recovery group.
The Short Form in Spanish
Dios, concédeme la serenidad para aceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar, el valor para cambiar las que sí puedo, y la sabiduría para conocer la diferencia. In English: "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."
A Short Prayer in Spanish for Accepting What I Cannot Change
Dios, dame paz para aceptar lo que no puedo cambiar. Cuando algo está fuera de mi control, ayúdame a ponerlo en tus manos. Amén. In English: "God, give me peace to accept what I cannot change. When something is beyond my control, help me place it in your hands. Amen."
A Longer Prayer for the Courage to Change What I Can
Lord, you already know the things on my mind today that I wish I could fix right now. Some of them I have tried to change again and again, and they have not moved. Give me the courage to act on the things that are mine to change. Show me the one phone call I need to make, the one conversation I have been putting off, and the one habit I can set down before supper. When I feel small against a problem, remind me that I do not have to carry all of it at once. Keep my hands busy with the work in front of me, and leave the rest with you. Strengthen my steps, and let me take the next faithful step instead of waiting for a perfect one. Amen.
A Prayer for the Wisdom to Know the Difference
Heavenly Father, I come to you with two lists in my head. One holds the things I cannot control, and the other holds the things I think I can. When the lists blur, I either give up too soon or fight what was never mine to fight. Give me wisdom to tell them apart. You invite anyone who lacks wisdom to ask you, and you give generously to all without reproach, so I ask now. Let me see clearly enough to act on what I can, and to rest in what I must leave with you. Amen.
A One-Line Prayer in Spanish for Wisdom
Señor, dame sabiduría para conocer la diferencia entre lo que puedo cambiar y lo que no. Amén. In English: "Lord, give me wisdom to know the difference between what I can change and what I cannot. Amen."
The Serenity Prayer Line by Line
Dios, concédeme la serenidad / God, grant me the serenity para aceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar, / to accept the things I cannot change, el valor para cambiar las que sí puedo, / courage to change the things I can, y la sabiduría para conocer la diferencia. / and wisdom to know the difference.
A Short Prayer in Spanish for My Family
Dios, cuida a mi familia y dame paciencia para escuchar. Ayúdame a aceptar lo que no depende de mí y a hacer lo que sí me toca. Amén. In English: "God, watch over my family and give me patience to listen. Help me accept what does not depend on me and do what is mine to do. Amen."
A Prayer When I Am Anxious About Something I Cannot Change
Lord, my mind keeps returning to something I cannot change. I have turned it over many times, and it has not moved. Today I put it down in front of you. Help me say the words of the Serenity Prayer slowly, one phrase at a time, and mean each one. Give me serenity for what is out of my hands. Give me courage for the one small thing that is mine to do today. Give me wisdom to tell which is which. Philippians 4:6-7 invites me to bring my requests to you with thanksgiving, so I bring this one now. Let your peace guard my heart and my thoughts. If this worry stays heavy for weeks, lead me to a doctor or counselor who can help. Amen.
A Prayer for Our Family to Pray Together
Father, I pray for my family, and I name them before you now. There are things in our home that none of us can change, and there are things we can. Give us the serenity to accept the first and the courage to do the second. Help us speak kindly when we are tired, and listen before we answer. Where one of us is struggling, give the rest of us patience and the wisdom to know when to ask a pastor, a counselor, or a doctor for help. Keep us close to you and to each other. Amen.
Scripture to pray
Por nada estéis afanosos, sino sean conocidas vuestras peticiones delante de Dios en toda oración y ruego, con acción de gracias. Y la paz de Dios, que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, guardará vuestros corazones y vuestros pensamientos en Cristo Jesús.— Philippians 4:6-7 (Reina-Valera 1960)
Y si alguno de vosotros tiene falta de sabiduría, pídala a Dios, el cual da a todos abundantemente y sin reproche, y le será dada.— Santiago 1:5 (Reina-Valera 1960)
Estad quietos, y conoced que yo soy Dios; seré exaltado entre las naciones, enaltecido seré en la tierra.— Salmo 46:10 (Reina-Valera 1960)
Frequently asked questions
How do you say the Serenity Prayer in Spanish?
The short form in Spanish is "Dios, concédeme la serenidad para aceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar, el valor para cambiar las que sí puedo, y la sabiduría para conocer la diferencia." It says the same thing as the English: 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. Read the Spanish one line at a time against the English, starting with Dios and concédeme.
What is the Serenity Prayer called in Spanish?
In Spanish it is called la Oración de la Serenidad. The name points to serenidad, the Spanish word for serenity, which is the first thing the prayer asks God to grant.
What does serenidad mean in the Serenity Prayer?
Serenidad means serenity. In the prayer it is paired with accepting the things I cannot change, so serenidad para aceptar means serenity to accept. Valor means courage, and it goes with changing the things I can. Sabiduría means wisdom, and it goes with knowing the difference.
Who wrote the Serenity Prayer?
The Serenity Prayer is attributed to the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. The prayer is widely used in 12-step recovery groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous.
Is the Serenity Prayer in the Bible?
No. The Serenity Prayer is attributed to the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. Filipenses 4:6-7 on bringing requests to God, Santiago 1:5 on asking for wisdom, and Salmo 46:10 on being quiet before God speak to the same needs, all in the Reina-Valera 1960.
How do I pray the Serenity Prayer when I am anxious?
Start with the first request and name one thing you cannot change that is weighing on you right now. Then pray the request for courage, and name one small step you can take today. Finish with the request for wisdom, which Santiago 1:5 (Reina-Valera 1960) says God gives generously to all who ask. Philippians 4:6-7 (Reina-Valera 1960) begins "Por nada estéis afanosos," and pairs that with bringing your requests to God. Prayer does not replace medical care, so if anxiety is heavy or lasting, a doctor or counselor can help.
How do I use the Serenity Prayer in a recovery meeting or with family?
The Serenity Prayer is widely used in 12-step recovery groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous. A leader or family member can read the Spanish one phrase at a time, then the English: "Dios, concédeme la serenidad para aceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar," then "el valor para cambiar las que sí puedo," then "y la sabiduría para conocer la diferencia." Prayer sits beside, never in place of, treatment and support for addiction. Anyone struggling with addiction can talk to a doctor, a counselor, a pastor, or a recovery group.