In her book “How to Pray Without Talking to God”, Linda Martella-Whitsett suggests that we try rewriting traditional prayers in the affirmative. I have long loved the Serenity Prayer and even drink my daily cup of coffee out of a mug with this prayer on it.
“God, grant 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.”
This is how I reframed this prayer:
“I am Divine Serenity, peacefully accepting the things I cannot change; I am Divine Will, courageous in changing the things I can; and I am Divine Wisdom, able to clearly discern the difference.”
Instead of asking to be granted Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom, I affirm that I already embody these traits as part of my true nature and that I choose to express them in my life right here and now.
Here is the way I updated the Prayer of St. Francis:
I AM an instrument of peace
Where there is hatred, I sow love
Where there is wrong, I bring the spirit of forgiveness
Where there is discord, I bring harmony
Where there is error, I bring truth
Where there is doubt, I bring faith
Where there is despair, I bring hope
Where there are shadows, I bring light
Where there is sadness, I bring joy
I offer comfort, understanding, and love to all
For I receive my greatest blessings through giving
And in forgiving I am forgiven
And in embracing my Divine Nature,
Dying to the illusions of the physical world,
I awaken to the limitless realm of Life Eternal.
Do you have a favorite prayer that no longer quite fits your present understanding of affirmative prayer? See what happens when you allow yourself to be inspired and guided to rewrite it in a way that fits your new thought about prayer.
By Catherine Donovan
Unity Santa Fe Prayer Practitioner
Prayer Practitioners Available Every Sunday and During the Week
Every Sunday, after service, you have the opportunity to pray with a Unity Prayer Practitioner in the Sanctuary or youth classroom.
You can also request to have a Prayer Practitioner call you once a month or during the week for a Private Prayer Call.