An Indian Prayer

One of the nice things about working for Providence is that it's a deeply spiritual organization.  Technically, it's Catholic and was founded by nuns, but in practice it's pretty non-denominational.  Every day begins and ends with a prayer over the loud speaker - 8 am and 8 pm.  Every meeting begins with a reflection.  And these prayers and reflections come from a wide variety of beliefs and religions, but they all have one thing in common:  the idea that we are all connected and loved by a God, and that our duty in life is to honor that connection in our interactions with each other and with the earth. 

I got this in my inbox yesterday as part of a mass email update on the Epic project.  I loved it so much, I wanted to share with those of my friends and family members that share my spiritual leanings.

An Indian Prayer

O’Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me!  I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold 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.

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.