A Native Prayer

A Native Prayer

O Great Spirit whose voice I hear in the wind, whose breath gives life to the world, hear me!

I come to you as one of your many children.  I am small and weak.  I need your strength and wisdom.

May I walk in beauty.  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 know the things you have taught your children, the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.

Make me strong, 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 straight eyes, so that when my life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit will come to you without shame.

* A Native Prayer narrated by Chief Dan George on Man Alive, "The Great Yes To Life", telecast February 19 on CBC-TV