A Lakota Prayer — Day 4 of 40 Days of Listening

Day 4 — Learn the lessons in every leaf and rock

Oh, Great Spirit,

Whose voice I hear in the winds

and whose breath gives life to all the world.

Hear me! I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes

ever hold 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.

Help me remain calm and strong in the

face of all that comes towards me.

Help me find compassion without

empathy overwhelming me.

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 may come to you without shame.

- Translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887

(Visit firstpeople.us for additional wisdom sayings/legends/etc from First Nations and Native Americans)