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56-669: The prayer has achieved very wide distribution, spreading through the YWCA and other groups in the 1930s, and in Alcoholics Anonymous and related organizational materials since at least 1941. Since at least the early 1960s, commercial enterprises such as Hallmark Cards have used the prayer in its greeting cards and gift items. The prayer has also made its way into popular culture, including in works by Bill Watterson , Neil Young , Bryan Lee O'Malley and Sinéad O'Connor , and programming including True Detective . A version of

112-604: A ladies' restaurant in London. The World YWCA was founded in 1894, with USA, Great Britain, Norway and Sweden as its founding mothers. The first world conference of the YWCA was held in 1898 in London, with 326 participants from 77 countries from around the world. In the beginning of the 20th century, a shift began within the YWCA. While industrialization had been a founding concern of the association, it had sought primarily to evangelise, and to protect women morally and socially from

168-437: A primary and effective means to facilitate the reception of his grace. For Catholics and Liturgical Protestants, sacraments (carried out in faith) are the incarnational or tangible vehicle through which God's grace becomes personally and existentially received. Evangelical Protestants, generally, do not share this sacramental view on the transmittal of grace, but instead favor a less institutionalized mechanism. For example, in

224-586: A professor of education at the University of Kiel , published a German version of the prayer under the pseudonym "Friedrich Oetinger" in 1951. Wilhelm's version of the prayer became popular in West Germany , where it was widely but falsely attributed to the 18th-century philosopher Friedrich Christoph Oetinger . Elisabeth Sifton described Wilhelm's account of the history of the prayer as "dishonest". The prayer became more widely known after being brought to

280-651: A resolutely Anglocentric lens through which the association viewed the world. In 1930, however, the World YWCA headquarters were moved to Geneva, Switzerland, the same city as the newly formed League of Nations . This was symbolic of the drive to become a more diverse association, and also to co-operate fully with other organizations in Geneva (such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and

336-432: A spiritual adept or bodhisattva , motivated by compassion for all beings cultivated through attaining bodhicitta . For Shinran, this ability to muster up genuine self-directed spiritual attainment is lacking in almost all humans, who are in reality "bombu," or foolish beings lost in a sea of delusion and selfishness such that even their good actions are tainted by selfish motivations. The only hope for spiritual advancement

392-541: A strong focus on providing a clean and properly supervised living space for working girls. YWCA Australia dates back to 1880, when the first YWCA in the country was established in Sydney to help migrant women. In North America, YWCA has a presence in the United States and Canada. YWCA USA was founded in 1858 and today has over 200 member associations, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families. YWCA USA

448-606: Is a nonprofit organization with a focus on empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries. The World office is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland , and the nonprofit is headquartered in Washington, DC. The YWCA is independent of the YMCA , but a few local and national YMCA and YWCA associations have merged into YM/YWCAs or YMCA-YWCAs and belong to both organizations, while providing

504-459: Is also a member of Accountable Now , ACT Alliance , and has consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). World YWCA works in partnership with a number of ecumenical players ( World Council of Churches , Lutheran World Federation , etc.) and a number of international institutional and government donors. Divine grace Divine grace is a theological term present in many religions . It has been defined as

560-633: Is an attribute of the God of Israel that signifies his chesed (loving-kindness and mercy) for his chosen people and his compassion for sinners, the weak, and the less fortunate. Divine grace is granted even to those unworthy of it. In the Old Testament , the prophets promise divine grace for penitent Jews . In the Talmud , divine grace is designated by the term "mercy," which is in contrast to divine justice. The divine name Elohim implies mercy, while

616-439: Is attained. In particular, Catholics and Reformed Protestants understand the attainment of grace in substantially different ways. It has been described as "the watershed that divides Catholicism from Protestantism , Calvinism from Arminianism , modern liberalism from conservatism". Catholic doctrine teaches that God has imparted Divine Grace upon humanity and uses the vehicle of sacraments , which are carried out in faith, as

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672-624: Is called merciful in many prayers, including the Wehu Raḥum, Ahabah Rabbah, and Shemoneh 'Esrch. Grace in Christianity is the free and unmerited favour of God as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowing of blessings. Common Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy (favor) that God gave to humanity by sending his Son , Jesus Christ , to die on a cross , thus securing man's eternal salvation from sin. Within Christianity, there are differing concepts of how grace

728-557: Is giving up on Jiriki and, through faith , or " shinjin ," embracing the Tariki, or "other-power" of an infinitely-compassionate being. This being is Amida Buddha , who countless millennia ago made a primal vow to save all sentient beings by building up enough merit to establish a pure land , into which beings could be reborn simply by invoking his name, and in which they could easily attain full enlightenment. The key difference between Shinran's school and other schools of Pure Land Buddhism

784-614: Is involved and is a part of the Big Six Alliance of Youth Organisations ( World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations , World Young Women's Christian Association, World Organization of the Scout Movement , World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts , and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation). It

840-845: Is one of the largest provider of domestic violence programs and shelters in the United States. YWCA Canada dates back to 1870. Today, YWCA Canada has over 30 member associations, serving 1 million women, girls, and their families. YWCA USA is headquartered in Washington, DC . Previously its headquarters were in the Empire State Building in New York City . National YWCAs in the Caribbean region include Barbados, Grenada, Haiti, and Trinidad & Tobago. YWCAs of Latina America include Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, and Suriname. The World YWCA

896-539: Is present as well. One of the most prominent examples of this is the doctrine of the Jōdo Shinshū branch of Pure Land Buddhism , founded by the 12th-century Japanese monk, Shinran . In Buddhism, the concept of "merit" refers to the power of good karma built up over time through meditation, effort and spiritual practice- in Japanese, " Jiriki ," or "self-power." This merit can be transferred to other sentient beings by

952-435: Is the idea that even this faith and the resulting small effort of reciting Amida's name is impossible without the intervening grace of Amida Buddha working in the deluded human being through the power of Amida's primal vow. Therefore, the recitation of Amida's name is seen more as an expression of gratitude for already-existing grace rather than the self-induced catalyst for a grace not yet present. In Judaism , divine grace

1008-629: The Crimean War . The home addressed the needs of single women arriving from rural areas to join the industrial workforce in London, by offering housing, education and support with a "warm Christian atmosphere". Kinnaird's organisation merged with the Prayer Union started by evangelist Emma Robarts in 1877. The Australian YWCA was formed in 1880 when Mary Jane Barker organised the initial meeting in Sydney. Ann Alison Goodlet became its first President. Goodlet served until 1903. In 1884,

1064-585: The Old Testament , the Hebrew term used is chen ( חֵן ‎), which is defined in Strong's as "favor, grace or charm; grace is the moral quality of kindness, displaying a favorable disposition". In the King James translation, chen is translated as "grace" 38 times, "favour" 26 times, twice as "gracious", once as "pleasant", and once as "precious". Salafi scholar Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar , dean of

1120-607: The Tetragrammaton implies justice. Grace, according to the Jewish sages, is given to merciful people, students of the Torah , and people whose ancestors or descendants merited grace for them. Righteous people can change divine justice to divine mercy. While medieval Jewish philosophers did not mention divine grace, the Jewish liturgy includes many references to it, especially on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur . The God of Israel

1176-532: The YMCA ). In several countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, YWCAs were suppressed and disbanded. Throughout occupied Europe, however, women worked to construct support systems for their neighbors and refugees. Shortly after the end of the war, the YWCA worked to fortify the bonds of women throughout the world by holding the first World Council meeting in nearly a decade in Hangzhou in 1947. This

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1232-434: The divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation; and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin. Hindu devotional or bhakti literature available throughout India and Nepal is replete with references to grace ( kripa ) as the ultimate key required for spiritual self-realization. Some, such as

1288-554: The sacrament of reconciliation (in faith) is the primary means of transmitting grace after a mortal sin has been committed. In the New Testament , the word translated as grace is the Greek word charis ( / ˈ k eɪ r ɪ s / ; Ancient Greek : χάρις ), for which Strong's Concordance gives this definition: "Graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially

1344-794: The AA Origin of the Serenity Prayer: A Historic Paper but were not part of the tripartite original. Niebuhr's daughter in her book The Serenity Prayer: Faith and Politics in Time of Peace and War said: "... their message and their tone are not in any way Niebuhrian." Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as He did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that He will make all things right, If I surrender to His will, That I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with Him forever in

1400-498: The Catholic Church and the earlier Protestant churches (Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, Anglican, etc.), the primary initiation into a state of grace is granted by God through infant baptism (in faith) instead of by a simple prayer of faith ( sinner's prayer ); although, Catholics would not deny the possible efficacy of even a simple prayer for God's grace to flow ( Baptism by desire ). In another example, for Catholics,

1456-634: The Faculty of Islamic Law at Zarqa Private University in Zarqa , Jordan , wrote that "Paradise is something of immense value; a person cannot earn it by virtue of his deeds alone, but by the Grace and Mercy of Allah." This stance is supported by hadith : according to Abu Huraira, Muhammad once said that "None amongst you can get into Paradise by virtue of his deeds alone ... not even I, but that Allah should wrap me in his grace and mercy." The Quran says "God

1512-563: The World YWCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs have issued a joint call to prayer during the Week of Prayer and World Fellowship. During this week, the two movements pray and act together on a particular theme in solidarity with members and partners around the world. The week-long event is a Bible study based on that year's theme. In 1948, World YWCA's Observance Day was born, to help each member see how she could act locally in relation to

1568-512: The YWCA was restructured. Until then, London had had almost a separate organisation, but there was now one YWCA organisation. Beneath this there were separate staffs and Presidents for London, England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, "Foreign" and Colonial and Missionary. This organisation distributed Christian texts and literature, but it also interviewed young women in an effort to improve living conditions. In 1884, they were working amongst Scottish fisherwomen, publishing their own magazine and operating

1624-640: The Young Women's Christian Association in Singapore in 1875. National YWCAs in the Pacific region include New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Samoa. In 1878, Dunedin activists established the first YWCA in the southern hemisphere. The YWCA branch in Christchurch was established in 1883 to support visitations to the sick; and, in 1885 Auckland 's chapter started up with

1680-579: The ancient Nalanda Mahavihara suggested: If there's a remedy when trouble strikes, What reason is there for dejection? And if there is no help for it, What use is there in being glum? The 11th-century Jewish philosopher Solomon ibn Gabirol wrote: And they said: At the head of all understanding – is distinguishing between what is and what cannot be, and the consoling of what is not in our power to change. A Mother Goose rhyme (dating back to at least 1827) has been juxtaposed with Niebuhr's prayer by philosopher W. W. Bartley : For every ailment under

1736-412: The ancient sage Vasistha , in his classical work Yoga Vasistha , considered it to be the only way to transcend the bondage of lifetimes of karma . One Hindu philosopher , Madhvacharya , held that grace was not a gift from God, but rather must be earned. While many schools of Buddhism emphasize self-discipline and effort as the path to enlightenment , something akin to the concept of divine grace

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1792-455: The attention of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1941 by an early member, who came upon it in a caption in a "routine New York Herald Tribune obituary". The original clipping appeared in the May 28, 1941, public notices section: "Mother--God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, courage to change things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Goodby." AA's co-founder Bill W. and

1848-451: The best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens. Some things are up to us [eph' hêmin] and some things are not up to us. Our opinions are up to us, and our impulses, desires, aversions—in short, whatever is our own doing. Our bodies are not up to us, nor are our possessions, our reputations, or our public offices, or, that is, whatever is not our own doing." The 8th-century Indian Buddhist scholar Shantideva of

1904-470: The consequences of urban life. But the emerging socialist movement began to affect these objectives. The first sign of this was during the 1910 World YWCA conference in Berlin , when a resolution was passed against considerable opposition, requiring the association to study social and industrial problems, and to educate working women about the "social measures and legislation enacted in their behalf." Over time

1960-601: The day of crisis is the man who has the serenity to accept what he cannot help and the courage to change what must be altered. Drawing on this, Wygal published a prayer in the March 1933 edition of YWCA periodical The Woman's Press , which was soon shared with a broader audience on the front page of the Santa Cruz Sentinel of March 15, 1933. It read: Oh, God, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what can not be helped, and insight to know

2016-508: The divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)". Spiritual gifts or charismata which comes from the word family charis , is defined in the New Bible Dictionary as "grace coming to visible effect in word or deed." A Greek word that is related to charis is charisma (gracious gift). Both these words originated from another Greek word chairo (to rejoice, be glad, delighted). In

2072-597: The entire movement, including policy, constitution, strategic direction, and budgets. During the World Council meetings, 20 women are elected to serve on the World Board, representing various member associations affiliated with the global YWCA movement. The YWCA history dates back to 1855, when the philanthropist Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird founded the North London Home for nurses travelling to or from

2128-519: The issues of refugees , health, HIV and AIDS , literacy , the human rights of women and girls , the advancement of women and the eradication of poverty ; mutual service, sustainable development and the environment; education and youth, peace and disarmament, and young women's leadership. These issues continue to play an integral role in the World YWCA movement. Each year during the third week of October, YWCAs worldwide focus on raising awareness to end violence against women and girls. Starting in 1904,

2184-513: The local level and belong to their country's national YWCA body as part of a federated, membership-based model. The European YWCA includes national YWCAs in Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Norway, Romania, and more. The European YWCA is a regional legally registered body, serving as an umbrella organization for the national YWCAs around the European continent. YWCA Scotland works under

2240-710: The name The Young Women's Movement . The YWCAs of the Middle East region are in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. There are over 20 national YWCAs serving communities across the Africa region, including in Burkina Faso, Malawi, South Africa, and Togo. YWCA has a presence in a number of countries in Asia, including Bangladesh, China, India, Korea, Nepal, Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand. Sophia Cooke established of

2296-675: The next. Amen. A version, apparently quoted from memory and asking for the author of the quotation, appeared in the "Queries and Answers" column in The New York Times Book Review in July 1950, and received a reply in the same column in August 1950, attributing the prayer to Niebuhr, and quoting it as follows: O God and Heavenly Father, Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know

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2352-457: The one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Today, twelve-step recovery programs generally use a slightly different version, the text of which has been adopted in official publications from groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous : 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. 1st-century Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus wrote: Make

2408-587: The one from the other. The prayer was also quoted in the Richmond Times-Dispatch later that month. Substantial quotes from the prayer were also printed in two Atlanta newspapers that month. The prayer appeared a few additional times in American and Canadian newspapers in the 1930s, associated with the YWCA or with individual women. In 1937, the prayer was published in a Christian student newsletter, attributing it to Niebuhr. Wygal published

2464-465: The prayer again in her 1940 book We Plan Our Own Worship Services , and attributed it to Niebuhr. It took this form: O God, give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other. The prayer became published in English language newspapers much more from 1940, but never attributed to Wygal or Niebuhr. In June 1941,

2520-461: The prayer as three lines of verse modify the author's original version. The best-known form is a late version, as it includes a reference to grace not found before 1951: God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. The following clauses were added in

2576-459: The prayer had become commonly quoted as: 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. In 1962, Hallmark began using the prayer in its graduation cards, crediting Niebuhr, and in the 1970s they also produced a wall plaque. Posters and household ornaments were produced by others without attribution. Rhetorician William FitzGerald believes Wygal wrote

2632-465: The prayer was originally composed by Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the early 1930s. Initially popularized by one of his colleagues, the prayer began to spread widely without reference to the original author. Around 1932, Niebuhr is reported to have first used the prayer as the last part of a longer prayer. In an October 31, 1932 diary entry by American YWCA official Winnifred Wygal , she quotes her colleague Niebuhr: The victorious man in

2688-594: The prayer was published in an obituary in the New York Herald Tribune , and from here became known by the first Alcoholics Anonymous group. The organisation embraced it and spread it widely. It was initially known within the group as "The AA prayer", but by the late 1940s, was known as "the serenity prayer." Niebuhr presented it in a 1943 sermon at Heath Evangelical Union Church in Heath , Massachusetts . Niebuhr's wife and daughter would later say this

2744-438: The prayer, arguing sexism as the reason for misattribution. Quotation researcher Fred Shapiro has alternated in his conclusions over time. In 2021's The New Yale Book of Quotations, and in his discussion of it, says Wygal "was the author of the earliest known occurrence". The prayer has appeared in many versions. Reinhold Niebuhr 's versions of the prayer were always printed as a single prose sentence; printings that set out

2800-448: The programs from each (an example being Sweden, which did so in 1966 ). The World Board serves as the governing body of the World YWCA, comprising representatives from all regions of the global YWCA movement. It oversees the organization's operations and activities. On the other hand, the World Council acts as the legislative authority and governing body of the World YWCA. It convenes every four years to make significant decisions affecting

2856-586: The staff liked the prayer and had it printed in modified form and handed around. It has been part of Alcoholics Anonymous ever since, and has also been used in other twelve-step programs . "Never had we seen so much A.A. in so few words," noted Bill W. The January 1950 edition of the Grapevine ( The International Journal of Alcoholics Anonymous ) identifies Niebuhr as the author, as does the AA web site. YWCA The Young Women's Christian Association ( YWCA )

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2912-486: The sun There is a remedy, or there is none; If there be one, try to find it; If there be none, never mind it. In 1801, German philosopher Friedrich Schiller wrote: Blessed is he, who has learned to bear what he cannot change, and to give up with dignity, what he cannot save." The prayer has been variously attributed (without evidence) to Thomas Aquinas , Cicero , Augustine , Boethius , Marcus Aurelius , and Francis of Assisi , among others. Theodor Wilhelm ,

2968-705: The theme for the year. Some chosen themes for the Observance Day have been: My Faith and My Work, My Place in the World, My Contribution to World Peace, I Confront a Changing World, Toward One World and My Task in Family Life Today. In 1972, the event name was changed to World YWCA Day, and the date of celebration for World YWCA Day became April 24. YWCA has a presence in over 100 countries, and includes national and regional entities in eight global regions. Many regional YWCAs operate as independent entities at

3024-455: The well-organised activists were able to take control of the YWCA, discard its original purposes, and employ it as part of their own movement. By 1920 the process was complete, and the YWCA became a largely secular organisation in all but name, with ties to Social Gospel groups. Until 1930, the headquarters of the World YWCA were in London. The executive committee was entirely British, with an American General Secretary. This policy resulted in

3080-483: Was significant in being the first World Council held outside of the West, and further voiced the desire to be an inclusive, worldwide movement. It also served to bring together women who lived in countries that had been enemies during the war, and to raise awareness among the western YWCAs that the ruin of war was not limited to Europe. During the following decades, the World YWCA spent much time researching and working with

3136-517: Was when they understood the prayer was first written and used. It then also appeared in a sermon of Niebuhr's in the 1944 A Book of Prayers and Services for the Armed Forces, and was printed on cards for American soldiers in WWII. From January 1944, Niebuhr began being cited as the source of the prayer in newspaper articles. Niebuhr also published it in a magazine column in 1951. By this stage,

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