An Indian Prayer

O' Great Spirit

Whose voice I hear in the winds

And whose breath gives life to all the world

Hear me! I am small and weak, I need your

strength and wisdom

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes

ever behold the red and purple sunset

Make my hands respect the things you have

made and my ears sharp to hear your voice

Make me wise so that I may understand the

things you have taught my people

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden

in every leaf and rock

I seek strength, not to be greater than my

brother, but to fight my greatest enemy-myself

Make me always ready to come to you with

clean hands and straight eyes

So when life fades, as the fading sunset

my spirit may come to you

without shame

(This prayer is from the Sioux Indian children of Red Cloud Indian School)