Lakota Prayer

Oh, Great Spirit

Whose Voice I hear in the winds,

And whose breath gives life to all the world.

Hear me, I come before you, one of your children.

I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in your beauty, make my eyes ever

Behold the red and purple sunset and make my

Hands respect the things You have made;

My ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so

That I may know the things you have taught my people;

The lessons You have hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength not to be superior to my brothers and sisters,

but to be able to fight my greatest enemy, myself.

Make me ever ready to come to you

With clean hands and straight eyes

so when my life fades as a fading sunset

My spirit may come to You

without shame.

  Yellow Hawk. (Lakota Leader)