Saturday 23 February 2013

Oh Great Spirit: Sioux Prayer

Oh Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the wind
Whose breath gives life to all the world.
Hear me; I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty,
and my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the 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.
Help me remain calm and strong in the face of all
that comes toward me.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
Help me seek pure thoughts and act
with the intention of helping others.
Help me find compassion
without empathy overwhelming me.
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.

(Translated by Chief Yellow Lark, Lakota Sioux)

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