A Native 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
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 rock and leaf.
I seek strength not to be greater than others,
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 my come to you without shame.