What are the origins of the Serenity Prayer? A.
It was debated for years who wrote the Serenity Prayer, and its origins are
still somewhat murky, but it seems most likely to have been written by Dr.
Reinhold Niebuhr, a well-known theologian who served for many years as Dean and
Professor of Applied Christianity at the Union Theological Seminary in New York
City. G.S.O.’s Archives can provide more information about this prayer’s
historical origins upon request.
Alcoholics Anonymous became aware of the
Serenity Prayer in 1941, when it was discovered printed in the New York Tribune
newspaper. Ruth Hock, AA’s first secretary and a non-alcoholic, was immediately
taken with it. The headquarters staff thought of printing the prayer on a card
to distribute to AA members.
On June 12, 1941, Ruth wrote Henry S., a
Washington, D.C.-based AA member and printer by profession, saying: “One
of the boys up here got a clipping from a local newspaper which is so very much
to the point and so much to their liking, that they have asked me to find out
from you what it would cost to set it up on a small card, something like a
visiting card, which can be carried in a wallet... here it is...would appreciate
it if you would let me know right away.”
Henry answered back
immediately and enthusiastically: “...Your cards are on the way and my
congratulations to the man who discovered that in the paper. I can’t recall any
sentence that packs quite the wallop that that does and during the day shown it
to the A.A.’s that dropped in and in each case have been asked for copies. I
sent you 500 copies in as much as you didn’t say how many you wanted. If you
need any more, let me know. Incidentally, I am only a heel when I’m drunk, I
hope, so naturally there could be no charge for anything of this
nature.”
Ruth responded again on June 17, and wrote: “Your
generous response to my request for the little cards is certainly much
appreciated by us all up here. Glad so many of you down there liked it too, for
it backs me up in my feeling that it really has
‘something.’”
