An Indian Prayer
by H. Kent Craig
My grandfather is the fire My grandmother is the wind
The Earth is my mother The Great Spirit is my father
The World stopped at my birth and laid itself at my feet
And I shall swallow the Earth whole
when I die and the Earth and I will be one
Hail The Great Spirit, my father without him no one could exist because there would be no will to live. Hail The Earth, my mother without which no food could be grown and so cause the will to live to starve. Hail the wind, my grandmother for she brings loving, lifegiving rain nourishing us as she nourishes our crops. Hail the fire, my grandfather for the light, the warmth, the comfort he brings without which we be animals, not men. Hail my parent and grandparents without which not I, nor you, nor anyone else could have existed
Life gives life which gives unto itself a promise of new life.
Hail the Great Spirit, The Earth, the wind, the fire praise my parents loudly for they are your parents, too. Oh, Great Spirit, giver of my life please accept this humble offering of prayer this offering of praise this honest reverence of my love for you.
For All People
Black Elk, Oglala, Sioux
It is true that many of the old ways have been lost. But just as the rains restore the earth after a drought, so the power of the Great Mystery will restore the way and give it new life. We ask that this happen not just for the Red People, but for all people, that they all might live. In ignorance and carelessness they have walked on Ina Maka, Our Mother. They did not understand that they are part of all beings, the Four-legged, the Winged, Grandfather Rock, the Tree People, and our Star Brothers. Now our Mother and all our Relations are crying out. They cry for the help of all people.
Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding
by Larry Kibby
Great Spirit Grandfather, I send these words to you, Hear my prayer. For these are my words, To Father Sun, To Grandmother Moon, To Mother Earth To all my relations, That have been Created as I. To the Four Winds, That bring us the Seasons of Life.
To the East Where Father Sun rises Bringing to us a new day A new meaning of life, A light in which to see The path before us.
To the South Where the warm air comes to us Bringing heat and warmth, The seasons of spring And summer.
To the West Where Father Sun goes To bring to us darkness, So as we may see the universe And search for the questions Of our life.
To the North Where the cold winds come from Bringing to us the seasons Of fall and winter.
Oh Great Spirit Hear my words For to you I offer My heart and soul You made me What I am And I am Indian America's Prisoners of War. I pray for my people of the past Whose blood covers this our Mother Earth I pray now as an Indian Blood of my Ancestors. Great Spirit Grandfather, Look down upon Your people, For we are humble Before you. We seek your guidance, So that we your people May walk forever
In a proud manner Before you.
Great Spirit Grandfather, You gave your people The breath of life, So that we may live With dignity and pride, To always know And understand That life was meant for us Your most humble Traditional people, And all that Was Created And given The breath of life. Great Spirit Grandfather, Let my heart Soul and mind Be always strong with Wisdom, knowledge And Understanding. Great Spirit Grandfather Hear my words For wisdom So that I may open My eyes and See all that Is good around me. Great Spirit Grandfather Hear my words For wisdom So that I may open my ears And hear all that is good Around me. For I am humble Before you. I seek the strength To continue on this path That I travel on before you In a most Sacred manner. Great Spirit Grandfather Hear my words For they are words That come from the Heart, soul and mind, And are filled with Wisdom, knowledge and Understanding. Great Spirit Grandfather My words are for you To know and understand That in a most Sacred manner I honor and respect I seek the strength To forever continue Upon this Sacred path.
Great Spirit Grandfather Upon the four winds Are my words for strength For they come from the Heart, soul and mind Words I send to you In a Sacred manner.
Great Spirit Grandfather Let all The wisdom, knowledge and understanding Be my strength To continue on this path That I travel on before you As a Traditional Native American Indian, Now and forever.