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The Serenity Prayer Book
In The Serenity Prayer Book, the author examines the Serenity Prayer, often attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr. The book is broken down into seven chapters:
1. God
2. Grant Me
3. Serenity
4. To Accept the Things I Cannot Change
5. Courage
6. To Change the Things I Can
7. Wisdom to Know the Difference
In each of these chapters, the author examines part of the prayer, looking at possible meanings, and posing questions to the reader to help them make up their own mind about what the prayer means to them. The book has a respectful, open tone suitable for either religious or philosophical readers.
1. God
2. Grant Me
3. Serenity
4. To Accept the Things I Cannot Change
5. Courage
6. To Change the Things I Can
7. Wisdom to Know the Difference
In each of these chapters, the author examines part of the prayer, looking at possible meanings, and posing questions to the reader to help them make up their own mind about what the prayer means to them. The book has a respectful, open tone suitable for either religious or philosophical readers.
- GenresNonfiction
116 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 26, 2023
I found this little book amongst my mother-in-law's things, when clearing out her flat. Knowing that it is a favourite prayer of hers and was also a favourite of my mother's, I resolved to read it.
The author, William V Pietsch, is a Psychologist and so, whilst he approaches the prayer from a theological standpoint, he also offers insight from his profession.
The book takes the style of breaking the prayer down into lines and giving a chapter to each phrase.
I love this prayer and, to be honest, analysing it in such detail began to take the pleasure out of it for me. My other half argues that, as students, we break down poetry, Shakespeare, and literary texts to gain a deeper understanding of them, but somehow doing this to a prayer didn't seem right.
Just a personal opinion. I shall continue to love the prayer for the emotion it stirs within me and the memories it evokes, but I can't wholeheartedly say that I would recommend this book.
The author, William V Pietsch, is a Psychologist and so, whilst he approaches the prayer from a theological standpoint, he also offers insight from his profession.
The book takes the style of breaking the prayer down into lines and giving a chapter to each phrase.
I love this prayer and, to be honest, analysing it in such detail began to take the pleasure out of it for me. My other half argues that, as students, we break down poetry, Shakespeare, and literary texts to gain a deeper understanding of them, but somehow doing this to a prayer didn't seem right.
Just a personal opinion. I shall continue to love the prayer for the emotion it stirs within me and the memories it evokes, but I can't wholeheartedly say that I would recommend this book.
June 28, 2020
This has some pretty great nuggets of wisdom. A bit too Christ-centered for my taste, but an excellent break down of the SP.
An interesting perspective on prayer: just as a person might bring a special kind of wood to a cabinetmaker so that the cabinetmaker could design and create a unique piece of furniture, so also God works on the material we bring and refined it as we pray. The material we bring is the information we have gathered in the various alternatives as we see them. While at first this process May seem like simply thinking about the problem and not praying, careful thought is in fact closely related to prayer. Part of the praying process is to think through what needs to be done in light of what we see as god's will for the situation.
An interesting perspective on prayer: just as a person might bring a special kind of wood to a cabinetmaker so that the cabinetmaker could design and create a unique piece of furniture, so also God works on the material we bring and refined it as we pray. The material we bring is the information we have gathered in the various alternatives as we see them. While at first this process May seem like simply thinking about the problem and not praying, careful thought is in fact closely related to prayer. Part of the praying process is to think through what needs to be done in light of what we see as god's will for the situation.
February 4, 2021
As I have a little over 3 1/2 years clean and sober, I thought this book would give me more insight.
This novel is based around God,but I recommend even if you aren't religious!
Every person,whatever walk through life,can apply a little something to their lives
This novel is based around God,but I recommend even if you aren't religious!
Every person,whatever walk through life,can apply a little something to their lives
October 22, 2023
An amazing deep dive into one of my favorite prayers
April 30, 2011
Maybe it is not for everyone, but it is definitely for me. Read and re-read it. Just one of those books that helps. A lot.
September 19, 2012
it has a philosophical point of view though religious..
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews