AN INDIAN PRAYER
O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to 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 brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me ready to come to you with clean hands
and straight eyes.
And when life fades, as the fading sunset,
may my spirit come to you without shame.