A Native American Indian Prayer

Give Thanks


When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength.



Give thanks for your food and the joy of living.



If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.



Tecumseh

That They May Face the Winds


Great Spirit, Great Spirit, my Grandfather,
all over the Earth the faces of living things are all alike.
With tenderness have these come up out of the ground.
Look upon these faces of children without number
and with children in their arms
that they may face the winds
and walk the good road to the day of quiet.


- Black Elk (1863-1950)

Love to all,

Prayer of Thanks for Creation


Great and Eternal Mystery of Life, Creator of All Things, I give thanks for the beauty You put in every single one of Your creations.

I am grateful that You did not fail in making every stone, plant, creature, and human being a perfect and whole part of the Sacred Hoop.

I am grateful that You have allowed me to see the strength and beauty of All My Relations.

My humble request is that all of the Children of Earth will learn to see the same perfection in themselves.

May none of Your human children doubt or question Your wisdom, grace, and sense of wholeness in giving all of Creation a right to be living extensions of Your perfect love.



Native American,

Alive Alone

We are all alive alone.
Neither friend nor lover
Child nor mother
Can light our way for very long.
Out of loneliness
Arises the self we never knew.
Out of fear
Comes the wisdom of our ancestors.
Out of impatience
Grows the persistence of old age.
These shadows of our memory
Create new pathways to the soul
So that in being alive alone
We become alive together.

Poem by: Nancy Wood

Beautiful Inda!
It's nice to see this post come back!
Love you,

Dear Sandy,

I love this whole thread. I think it is one of the most inspiring that we have.

Love, Inda
***********

SOUL MATES

A call is heard, two souls stir,
to taste the wind as one;

One, the protector, a protective spirit,
father of many;

One, the life giver, one who nourishes,
mother of all;

Together a bond is made for life;
To share, to be, as one...

--Donna J. Jacobson--

Connections

Everytime we take a breath, we become
the universe. The very moment of creation
is contained in us and passes on to rocks and trees,
animals and fish. The onld ones say the essence of life
is in water and wind, earth and breath, fire and bone,
but most of all in breath, our first connection
to the elk, the hawk, the bear, and the buffalo.
Without breath, no connection.
Without no connection, no creation.
Without no creation, no breath.
This is the sacred circle of life, unbroken.

Poem by: Nancy Wood

Me too Inda!! I love this thread and the prayers always touch me so!

Prayer of Thanks for Creation

Great and Eternal Mystery of Life, Creator of All Things, I give thanks for the beauty You put in every single one of Your creations.

I am grateful that You did not fail in making every stone, plant, creature, and human being a perfect and whole part of the Sacred Hoop.

I am grateful that You have allowed me to see the strength and beauty of All My Relations.

My humble request is that all of the Children of Earth will learn to see the same perfection in themselves.

May none of Your human children doubt or question Your wisdom, grace, and sense of wholeness in giving all of Creation a right to be living extensions of Your perfect love.


Source: spiritwalk.com



Love,

Wonderful thread girls!

Just discovered a Cherokee artist and want to share one of her giclees:

Soulmates


A poem to go with it? Here, I found one ...


Man does not measure the stars
It is a gift
He cannot count
So it is with my love for you
How can I tell you of my love?
Strong as the eagle, soft as the dove,
Patient as the pine tree that stands in the sun
and whispers to the wind...
'You are the one!'

Indian Love Poem


Love, Margherita

~Mountain Dreamer Speaks~


It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
And if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
For your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.


It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow,
If you have been opened by life's betrayals
Or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!
I want to know if you can sit with pain,
Mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with JOY, mine or your own;
If you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you
To the tips of your fingers and toes
Without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic,
Or to remember the limitations of being human.


It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself;
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty everyday,
And if you can source your life on the edge of the lake
And shout to the silver of the full moon.


It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair,
Weary and bruised to the bone,
And do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center
Of the fire with me and not shrink back.


It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside
When all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself
And if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

[Oriah, Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder]

Absolutely beautiful!! Thank you Margherita!
I love you !!

BEAUTIFUL
******************

"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us."

Black Elk - Oglala Sioux

All of this Creation is Sacred

And so do not forget.Every Dawn as it comes is a holy event and everyday is holy, for the light comes from "WAKAN-TANKA" And Also you Must remeber that the Two-leggeds and All other peoples who Stand upon this Earth are Sacred and Should be Treated as Such
"White Buffalo Woman" Sioux Sacred Woman, quoted by Black Elk , (Oglala Sioux)1947.

A most delightful and inspiring site! Thank you for sharing with us Sandy.

May you and yours be blessed as you walk this path of which we call life.

Tannie

Welcome Tannie,

Nice to see you on Givnology. Sandy started a wonderful thread.
**********************************************



Poem by: Nancy Wood


The Wild Woman's Lullaby

Wild woman of the mountains, running barefoot through the grass
of summer, your raven hair braided with sunlight,
and a touch of mischief in your eyes, sing a song
of freedom to the dark skies of isolation:

"I am a bluebird's wing, the voice of fire rising higher
than the cloud point of summer rain. I am the
footstep you hear in darkness, leading you out of the
night. I am forgiveness and creation's daughter."

Wild woman of the mountains, swimming upriver
against the current, your body covered with leaves,
the blood of otters flowing in your strong arms,
sing a lullaby to children yet unborn:

"I am mother to the whole earth, daughter to the
falling sky, sister to dreams of rising beyond
life's ordinary claims. I am you inside of me. I ask:
'Oh, children of the coming generation, how will you live?
Oh, children of war and famine, what will you do for laughter?'"

Only those who hear the voice of the mountain
can sing the wild woman's lullaby. Only those who run
barefoot through grass, and swim upriver, can know
the message in her heart.

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.

A Haudenosaunee "Thanksgiving" Prayer
Except for the words "Greetings to the Natural World," the words in bold are not meant to be said.



Thanksgiving Address

GREETINGS TO THE NATURAL WORLD!

The People

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.

Now our minds are one.

The Earth Mother

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Waters

We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms - waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water.

Now our minds are one.

The Fish

We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Plants

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

The Food Plants

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Medicine Herbs

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

The Animals

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one.

The Trees

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

The Birds

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds - from the smallest to the largest - we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Four Winds

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

The Thunderers

Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

The Sun

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are one.

Grandmother Moon

We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

The Stars

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.

Now our minds are one.

The Creator

Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

Oh Inda! I've been away for a bit. The summer holds many many opportunities to get things done!! You've enticed me back with your postings! You know how I love the American Indian and their prayers and ways!! I have missed you all!




O Great Creator,
I come before you in a humble manner
and offer you this sacred pipe.
With tears in my eyes and an ancient song from my heart
I pray.

To the four powers of Creation,
To the Grandfather Sun,
To the Grandmother Moon,
To the Mother Earth,
And to my ancestors.

I pray for my relations in Nature,
All those who walk, crawl, fly, and swim,
Seen and unseen,
To the good spirits that exist in every part of Creation.

I ask that you bless our elders and children, families, and friends,
And the brothers and sisters who are in prison.
I pray for the ones who are sick on drugs and alcohol
And for those who are now homeless and forlorn.
I also pray for peace among the four races of humankind.

May there be good health and healing for this Earth,
May there be Beauty above me,
May there be Beauty below me,
May there be Beauty in me,
May there be Beauty all around me.
I ask that this world be filled with Peace, Love, and Beauty.



Sending my love,

We have missed you too Sandy.
We all have been away and busy during the summer.

I love this beautiful thread.
*****************************



A Native American Prayer

Let us know peace.
For as long as the moon shall rise,
For as long as the rivers shall flow,
For as long as the sun will shine,
For as long as the grass shall grow,
Let us know peace.

Cheyenne

Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself.

Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here.

Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go.

Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you."

~Pueblo Blessing ~


Thanks Inda!
Did you know that American Indian sayings and prayers are closely related to the Bible? There is a site I found which shows this and if I can locate it again, I will post it here!
Love you,

Thank you for continuing this very beautiful thread. I love all of it. Thank you Sandy for starting it.

Sincerely,
Gisele

Dear Sandy,

It is wonderful to see you back. We are all busy during the summer but it is nice to see each other even for a little bit.

Love, Inda
********************************************



Native American Prayer for Peace

Oh Great Spirit of our Ancestors,
I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds,
and to Mother Earth who provides
for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children
to love, to respect, and to be kind
to each other so that they may grow
with peace of mind
Let us learn to share all good things
that you provide for us on this Earth.

In Deepak Chopra's book,
"The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire"
I found this beautiful prayer by an unknown
Native American Author:

Don't stand by my grave and weep,
For I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond's glint on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
In the soft brush of the morning's light
I am the swift bird in flight.
Don't stand by my grave and cry,
I am not there,
I did not die.
*****************************************

I am touched to the core by the beauty of these prayers.

A true Spirit of Oneness with All there is pervades these lines.

Thank you all for sharing these treasures.

Love,
Margherita

Daily Prayer of the Wolf


I call to those who went before me for guidance to travel this days path I ask those who are yet to come what this holds for me Of Wolf and Man is what I seek I ask for the Wolf to be at one with the Man and for the Man to walk beside the Wolf I offer this prayer to the Spirits above and humbly ask for their divine help to live my life to the fullest and bring honor to myself and my people.
Love,


isn't she gorgeous!!

This is a very beautiful thread. Thank you all for continuing it.

Love
Vicky

Prayer for a Newborn
I wrote this prayer for the birth of a child.



May your eyes see the beauty of Mother Earth
May your ears hear the music of life and the sounds of laughter.
May your mouth always speak truth, presented with a kind heart.
May your heart always be full of joy
May your hands one day grasp the hands of your own grandchildren.
May your arms always welcome friends and family.
May your feet always walk a straight path.
And if your feet should ever stray from your path,
may Creator always lead you home.
copyright Carolyne Gould

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/carolynegenealogy/prayer.html

I had to bring this beautiful thread back.
Thank you Sandy and everyone who has taken part in this wisdom. We may have this prayer already, but it is very beautiful and filled with wisdom, so I wanted to share it once more before I go away for another ten days.

Love
Vicky
A Native American Prayer
Let us know peace.
For as long as the moon shall rise,
For as long as the rivers shall flow,
For as long as the sun will shine,
For as long as the grass shall grow,
Let us know peace.

Cheyenne

When the last Red Man and Woman have vanished with their wilderness, and their memory is only the shadow of a cloud moving across the prairie, will the shores and the forests still be here? Will there be any of the spirit of my people left?
My ancestors said to me, This we know:
The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth.

~Chief Seattle

This is a very beautiful thread.
I hope that it will continue. Thank you Sandy and everyone.

Sincerely,
Gisele

Grandfather, Great Spirit, fill us with light. Teach us to walk the soft earth as relatives to all that live.

Dakota

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.




Sending my love,

THE LORD'S PRAYER


Chinok Lordís Prayer


Nesika papa klaksta mitlite kopa saghalie

Our Father Who dwells in High



Kloshe kopa nesika tumtum mika nem.

Good for our hearts Your Name.



Kloske mika tyee kopa konaway tillikum;

Good you Chief of all people;



Kloshe mika tumtum kopa illahee kahkwa kopa saghalie;

God Your heart to make our country such as Yours up above;



Potlach konaway sun nesika muckamuck,

Gice us all days our food,



Pee kopet-kumtux donaway nesika mesachie,

And stop remembering all our sins we make to them,



Kahkwa nesilka mamook kopa klasksta spose mamook mesachie kopa nesia;

As we suppose not their sin against us;



Mahah siah kopa nesika konaway mesachie.

Throw far away from us all evil.



Kloshe kahkwa.

Amen.

LOVE,

Amen!

There is so much beauty here ...

Spirit flows within the words and softens our hearts, opening them to the truth.

Love and Joy.

Margherita

This is a truly beautiful thread.


So long as we enjoy the light of the day,
May we greet one another with love.
So long as we enjoy the light of the day,
May we wish one another well.
Clasping hands,
Holding one another tight,
May we pray for each other:
May you be blessed with light;
may your roads be fulfilled;
May you grow old;
May you be lucky;
May your roads stretch
To join the life giving road
of your sun father.
May your roads all be fulfilled.

Native American
Zuni, from Sayataca's Night Chant.

SIOUX PRAYER
Grandfather Great Spirit All Over The World

The Faces Of Living Things Are Alike.

With Tenderness, They Have Come Up Out Of The Ground.

Look Upon Your Children That They May Face The Winds

And Walk The Good Road To The Day Of Quiet.

Grandfather Great Spirit

Fill Us With The Light.

Give Us The Strength To Understand And The Eyes To See.

Teach Us To Walk The Soft Earth As Relatives

To All That Live.

~Sioux Prayer~

I am very happy to see the continuation of this beautiful thread.

Sincerely,
Gisele

Woman-Heart Spirit

The woman-heart spirit was released by the Creator
a long time ago in order to nurture children,
animals and plants, trees and rocks, and also
men, who resisted the softening of their wild nature.

The woman-heart spirit roamed the deserts and the mountains
looking for ways to create awareness
the food the earth needed for survival
and the recognition of beauty in the land

The woman-heart spirit was wild, untamed
like the river and the wind
who taught her knowledge of a certain kind,
different from the knowledge of men or children

The woman-heart spirit became the guardian
of language and music and the stories
needed by birds and animals and people, as
the world changed and imagination dried up.

The woman-heart spirit became the keeper of compassion,
strong yet invisible, the connection between
all living things. The woman-heart spirit
is nothing more than love, overlooked when the world began. Poem by: Nancy Wood

Let us look forward to the pleasant landscape of the future.

Chief John Ross,
Cherokee

There are the springs of the Great Spirit...to bathe in them gives new life; to drink them cures every bodily ill.

Arapaho Indian Guide

Though we are powerful and strong,
and we know how to fight,
we do not wish to fight.

Cherokee