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 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.

(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)