ST14: "O Great Spirit" A Traditional Native American Prayer

This is a great poem from the Native American tradition about gaining perspective  I hope you enjoy. 

"O Great Spirit"

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 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 always ready to come to you

with clean hands and straight eyes.

So when life fades, as the fading sunset,

my spirit will come to you without shame.

Source: Ed. McNally, C.S.C. and Storey, D.M.S. 2006. Day by Day. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press.