A prayer for strength and wisdom

[hubag bohol]

A Sioux Prayer
Translated by Chief Yellow Lark, 1887





Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds,
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 your voice.
Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught your children.

The lessons you have written in every leaf and rock
Make me strong!
Not to be superior to my brothers, but to fight my greatest enemy: myself.

Make me ever ready to come to you with straight eyes
So that when life fades as the fading sunset
May my spirit come to you without shame.