Native American Prayer
Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all the world.
Hear me.
I am a man before you, one of your many children - 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, my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise, so that I may know the things you have taught my people - the lesson you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength not to be superior to my brothers, but to be able to fight my greatest enemy - myself. Make me ever ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so when life fades as a fading sunset my spirit may come to you without shame.
- Native American Prayer
Translated by Chief Yellow Lark in 1887
Native American Missionary and Medicine Man
Lakota Tribe
