Prayer

"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."Known as the Serenity Prayer, it has been quoted many times especially when things are seemingly out of one’s control. It has several objectives; to find peace, to act on things that are frightening, and to obtain knowledge to discern whether to engage in a situation or not. Notice that it is a prayer that seeks peace however what it is not is a prayer of inaction or excuse not to engage.One of the hardest things for Christians to grapple with is the fact that living a life for Christ doesn’t necessarily mean life will get better. There can be turmoil and unrest as you seek to live according to Christian principles but the difference is in Christ even in unfavorable events you can have peace. Daniel was a righteous and faithful servant of God and even with such favorable credentials he was going to suffer the same fate as his brethren because of their sinfulness. It would have been reasonable for him to pray the serenity prayer but he lived the serenity prayer. Because of his knowledge of the scripture he knew (wisdom) that hard times were coming, He accepted that this was not going to change (Daniel 9:2), he courageously asked God for mercy (Daniel 9:18) and while praying he received wisdom (Daniel 9:22).Prayer is an important part of the Christian experience deepening our faith as we come into a closer relationship with Christ. It is humbling, empowering, stress relieving, and brings us into communion with Him.“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;he heard my cry for mercy.Because he turned his ear to me,I will call on him as long as I live.”Psalm 116:1-2