A Warrior’s Prayer
O’ Great Spirit, Wakan Tanka
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.
– Chief Redcloud, Lakota Warrior-Statesman (1822-1909)
To Know
Our best thought can carry us down
to the shoreline of our little island
But only desire can carry us into
the ocean of Holy Love.
This, then, is why the sea is a mist
to the smart and the self-impressed
But shines in the light for children
who delight to swim in the living waters.
Questor for truth, the real question is:
What do you truly want?
What do you truly want?
Consider this well for
Those on the shore will never see more—
But children will play—in the Waves.
–Kent Smith of Abilene, TX
(My family and I really identify with this poem… In a way it reflects our book and our spiritual journey over the past 15 years or so…)
The Scribe
My hand is weary from writing,
my sharp quill is not steady,
as its tender tip spits its dark, blue stream,
the words which are formed on the page are jagged and uncertain.
O Lord, may it be your wisdom, not my folly,
which passes through my arm and hand,
may your words take shape upon the page.
For when I am truly faithful to your dictation,
my hand is firm and strong.
Let me never write words that are callous or profane,
let your priceless jewels shine upon these pages.
– An Ancient Celtic Prayer (Source: Celtic Fire by Van de Weyer)
