A Native Prayer

Oh 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 brothers and sisters,

but to fight my greatest enemy – myself.

So when life fades, as the fading sunset,

my spirit may come to you without shame.