An Interfaith Handbook for Devotional Services
A Scout is Reverent
INFORMAZIONI SUL TESTO / DOCUMENTO
----------------------------------
Titolo Documento..........: A Scout is Reverent__________________________
Eventuale Revisione.......: 15 Marzo 1994____________
Formato di Archiviazione..: ASCII____________________
Visualizzatori Consigliati: Qualsiasi visualizzatore ASCII_______________
Descrizione del Documento.: Varie preghiere interconfessionali in inglese
Contenuti Educativi.......: _____________________________________________
Quota di Registrazione....: Libero_______________________________________
INFORMAZIONI SULL'AUTORE E SULLA SUA REPERIBILITA'
--------------------------------------------------
Cognome e Nome..: Lucrezi Gino______________________________________
This file containes a text formatted file of by Jon Lyksett's "A Scout
is Reverent" interfaith handbook with the addition of
an Appendix.
A big thanks to Kevin Peterson
(peterson@dg-rtp.dg.com) for reformatting the text and making it available to
SCOUTS-L as well as adding the
Appendix.
Jon Eidson (eidson@tcubvm.is.tcu.edu)
Listowner, Scouts-L
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-CutHere-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
A SCOUT IS REVERENT
Edited by Jon Lyksett
A SCOUT IS REVERENT
"He is reverent toward God.
He is faithful in his religious duties.
He respects the beliefs of others."*
Scouts and
Scouters of many different faiths are asked to give invocations, graces, and
other spiritual contributions during Scouting events. These people have promised
to "be faithful in their religious duties. "Accordingly, they will offer prayer
in the manner that they have been taught in their families and by their
religious teachers. We honor the Scout Law by respecting their religious
beliefs, knowing that they in turn will show the same respect for our beliefs in
matters of custom
and religion.
The materials presented here are from many of the Faiths
represented in the Scouting family. Please use this compilation as a resource
for planning Scout's Own services, Camp Vespers, or
for personal meditation and reflection.
-- Jon Lyksett, Editor
*Official Boy Scout Handbook - 1989 edition
Table of Contents
Calls to Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Invocations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Responsive Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Scout Oath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Scout Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Scout Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Prayers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Inspirational Thoughts and Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Songs and Hymns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
"This is my Father's World" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
"Michael Row the Boat Ashore" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
"Amazing Grace" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
"Scout Vespers" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
"Kum Ba Ya" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
"God Bless America" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
"Let There Be Peace on Earth" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
"For the Beauty of the Earth" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
"Morning Has Broken" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
"America the Beautiful" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Benedictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
PSALM 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
PSALM 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
AN INDIAN PRAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
CONTINUANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
WE, THE PEOPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Calls to Worship
Come let us sing unto the Lord: Let us make a joyful noise to
the Lord, all the lands. Let us serve the Lord with gladness and
came into his presence with singing.
--Psalm 100
Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city,
and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave,
and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and
the meadow where mention of God hath been made and His praise
glorified.
--from the Baha'i Writings
O Great Spirit! Watch over us as we begin this day. Protect us
as we live in you care. Give us bounty and hold us from harm.
We are your children and wish only to please you. We hold our
Mother Earth close to our hearts and wish her goodness. We thank
You for your love.
--American Indian
Invocations
May the time be not too distant, O God, when all your children
will understand that they are brothers and sisters, so that, one
in spirit and one in fellowship, they may be forever united
before you. Then shall your kingdom be established on earth, and
the word of your prophet shall be fulfilled: " The Lord will
reign forever and ever."
--From the Jewish Service of the Heart
Lord, stay with us as we come together; let all the earth keep
silence in your presence.
Dear Lord, bless all those everywhere who contribute to
shape the hearts, minds, and bodies of young people. Let us
remember what they have taught and apply it daily.
When facing deceit and dishonesty, let us be Trustworthy.
If we see hypocrisy and faithlessness, let us be Loyal. Where
disregard of others and mere materialism prevail, let us be
Helpful. In an atmosphere of ill manner, let us be Courteous.
Where some measure manliness in brutality and crudeness, let us
be Kind. Though lawbreaking and rule-scoffing are common, let us
be Obedient. While others grumble and grouch, let us be
Cheerful. In an environment blighted by waste and extravagance,
let us be Thrifty. When confronted with danger and temptation,
let us be Brave. As we see filth and pollution everywhere, let
us be Clean. While witnessing impiety and irreligion, let us
remember to be Reverent.
In short, in a world that has for generation after
generation lamented the lack of good examples, let us, as Scouts,
stand out, grow up, and be real adults. Amen
Responsive Readings
I. The Scout Oath
Leader: Our honor is a quality we possess because of our
dignity as human beings and children of God. Our
'best' means to give all we have. It means to keep
striving to do what we know is right, and in the Oath
it means we will try to be good Scouts by fulfilling
our Scout duties as expressed in the Scout Law.
People: ON MY HONOR I WILL DO MY BEST
Leader: Our duty to God and country means chiefly two things:
obedience and loyalty. The duties we owe to God, to
our country, to our parents, to one another, and to
ourselves come from some command of God. The Scout Law
sums up all the qualities a Scout should have and
without which he cannot be a good Scout.
People: TO DO MY DUTY TO GOD AND MY COUNTRY AND TO OBEY THE
SCOUT LAW.
Leader: Our Lord told us that love of neighbor was like the
first law of love of God. The first children of God
were known by the love they had for one another. Real
human charity or love prompts us to want to help others
at all times. Our Scout training will give us skills
and knowledge that will put us in a better position to
do this.
People: TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES
Leader: Scouting offers us many opportunities to grow
physically. To be alert and ready requires us to give
special care to those gifts of soul - intellect and
will - that make us unto God. 'Morally straight' means
we must try to know what is right and true, and to love
what is good and choose it.
People: TO KEEP MYSELF PHYSICALLY STRONG, MENTALLY AWAKE, AND
MORALLY STRAIGHT.
II. The Scout Law
Leader: A true and worthy person recognizes his obligations and
does them without being watched or compelled.
People: A SCOUT IS TRUSTWORTHY.
Leader: We owe much to many - to home, school, community,
nation, and to God.
People: A SCOUT IS LOYAL.
Leader: The good Samaritan showed the spirit of doing a Good
Turn.
People: A SCOUT IS HELPFUL.
Leader: Courtesy is the mark of all faiths. It is shown in
thoughtful acts and kindly respect for everyone.
People: A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS.
Leader: Kindliness is the way people show respect for others.
People: A SCOUT IS KIND.
Leader: Life is filled with things that we must do whether we
like them or not. One of the marks of growing up is
our readiness to accept responsibilities willingly.
People: A SCOUT IS OBEDIENT.
Leader: Our moods make our days. If we are grouchy, our day is
gloomy. If we are happy, our day is always happier.
People: A SCOUT IS CHEERFUL.
Leader: The world offers many gifts. a wise person uses them
with care.
People: A SCOUT IS THRIFTY.
Leader: To each of us comes danger, difficult tasks, and
temptations. In choice of courage or cowardice, may we
be brave.
People: A SCOUT IS BRAVE.
Leader: Cleanliness is next to Godliness. To have a clean
body, a clean mind, and a clean record is a rewarding
achievement.
People: A SCOUT IS CLEAN.
Leader: Character is determined by the things we worship. If
we respect ourselves and our brothers and sisters, and
see them as gifts of the goodness of God, we live on a
high plane.
People: A SCOUT IS REVERENT.
All: GIVE US CLEAN HANDS, CLEAN WORDS, AND CLEAN THOUGHTS,
O GOD. TEACH US TO WORK HARD AND PLAY FAIRLY. FORGIVE
US WHEN WE ARE UNKIND AND HELP US TO HELP OTHERS. SEND
US STRENGTH TO DO A GOOD TURN EACH DAY AND SO LIVE
AFTER THY WILL.
III. The Scout Law
Leader: "The person who is dishonest shall not live in My
house; the person who is untruthful shall not stand
before My eyes."
--Psalms 101:7
People: A SCOUT IS TRUSTWORTHY
Leader: "Do not beg me to leave you or to return from following
after you, for where you go I will go; and where you
stay, I will stay."
--Ruth 1:16
People: A SCOUT IS LOYAL
Leader: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
--Lev. 19:18
People: A SCOUT IS HELPFUL
Leader: "Can two walk together unless they agree?"
--Amos 3:3
People: A SCOUT IS FRIENDLY
Leader: "Honor you Father and your Mother."
--Exodus 20:12
People: A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS
Leader: "With hold not good from the person to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do it."
--Prov. 3:27
People: A SCOUT IS KIND
Leader: "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the
words of knowledge."
--Prov. 23:12
People: A SCOUT IS OBEDIENT
Leader: "A glad heart is good medicine."
--Prov. 17:22
People: A SCOUT IS CHEERFUL
Leader: "Precious treasure remains in a wise person's dwelling,
but a foolish person uses it up."
--Prov. 21:20
People: A SCOUT IS THRIFTY
Leader: "Be strong and of good courage."
--I Chron. 28:20
People: A SCOUT IS BRAVE
Leader: "Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? And who
shall stand in His holy place? the person who has
clean hands and a pure heart."
--Psalms 24:3-4
People: A SCOUT IS CLEAN
Leader: "It has been told to you what is good, and what the
Lord requires of you; Only to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
--Micah 6:8
People: A SCOUT IS REVERENT
Prayers
[The act of prayer is a personal and private thing. Please
accept these prayers as food for thought and inspiration.]
1.
The lone, wild fowl in lofty flight is still with Thee, nor
leaves Thy sight. The ends of earth are in Thy hand, the sea's
dark deep and no man's land. And I am Thine, I rest in Thee.
Great Spirit, come and rest in me. Amen.
2.
I have awakened in Thy shelter, O my God, and it becometh him who
awakeneth in That shelter to abide within the sanctuary of Thy
protection and the stronghold of Thy defense. Illumine my inner
being, O my Lord, even as Thou hast illumined my outer being with
the morning light of Thy Favor.
--from the Baha'i Writings
3. A SCOUTER'S PRAYER
Build me a Scout, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know
when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is
afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and
humble and gentle in victory...
Build me a Scout whose wishes will not take the place of
deeds; a Scout who himself is the foundation stone of
knowledge...
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but
under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let
him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion
for those who fail...
Build me a Scout whose heart will be clear, whose goals will
be high. A Scout who will master himself before he seeks to
master others, one who will march into the future, yet never
forget the past...
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a
sense of humor so that he may always be serious, yet never take
himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always
remember the simplicity of true wisdom, and the meekness of true
strength...
Then I, a Scouter who knew him, will dare to whisper, `I
have not lived in vain.'
4.
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 many children. I am weak and small. I need your
strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever
behold the red and purple sunset; my ears sharp so I may hear
your voice. Make me wise, so I may learn the things you have
taught my people, the lessons you have hidden under every rock
and leaf. I seek strength, not to be superior to my brothers,
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
whenever life fades, like the fading sunset, my spirit will come
to you without shame.
--Chief Yellow Lark, a Blackfoot Indian
5.
Morning star wake us, filled with joy,
To new days of growing to man from boy.
Sun, with your power, give us light
That we can tell wrong and do what's right.
South wind, we ask, in your gentle way
Blow us the willingness to obey.
North wind, we ask, live up to thy name,
Send us the strength to always be game.
East wind, we ask, with your breath so snappy,
Fill us with knowledge of how to be happy.
West wind, we ask, blow all that is fair
To us, that we may always be square.
Moon, that fills the night with red light,
guard us well while we sleep in the night.
Akela, please guide us in every way,
We'll follow your trail in work or play.
--Native American
6. A Simple Blessing
May you walk in Peace,
Live with Love,
Work with Joy, and
May Your God go with you.
A vision without a task is a dream;
A task without a vision is drudgery;
A vision and a task is the hope of the world.
--Anonymous
7.
O Lord, this solemn prayer comes from deep desire,
May my life be as pure as candle fire.
Let my every breath dispel the world's gloom,
Let my spirit glow so brightly that darkness meets its doom.
May my life enhance my country's glory
As the flower enhances the garden's splendid revelry.
May I be as faithfully drawn to learning
As the moth is drawn to the candle's burning.
May my life be devoted to serving the needy
And to loving a sorrowful, ever suffering humanity.
Lead me away from the path of temptation.
O Lord, let truth alone be my destination.
8. A Hiking Prayer
Master of the universe
Grant me the ability to be alone;
May it be my custom to go outdoors each day
Among the trees and grass, among all living things.
And there may I be alone, and enter into prayer,
To talk with the One to whom I belong.
May I express there everything in my heart,
And may all the foliage of the field,
All grasses, tree, and plants,
May they all awake at my coming,
To send the powers of their life into the words of my prayer
So that my prayer and speech are made whole
Through the life and the spirit of all growing things,
Which are made as one by their Transcendent Source.
--Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1772-1811)
9. An Indian Version of The Lord's Prayer
"Great Spirit, whose tepee is the sky and whose hunting ground is
the earth, Mighty and fearful are you called. Ruler over storms,
over men and birds and beasts, Have your way over all Over
earthways as over skyways. Find us this day our meat and corn,
That we may be strong and brave. And put aside from us our
wicked ways as we put aside the bad works of them who do us
wrong. And let us not have such troubles as lead us into crooked
roads, But keep us from all evil, For yours is all that is the
earth and the sky; the streams, the hills and the valleys, the
stars, the moon, and the sun, and all that live and breathe.
Wonderful, shining, mighty Spirit."
-- Arthur F. Giere
Inspirational Thoughts and Messages
The Golden Principle
Blessed are those who prefer others before themselves.
--Baha'i Faith
Hurt not others in ways that you would you yourself would find
hurtful.
--Buddhism
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
--Christianity
This is the sum of all duty: treat others as you yourself would
be treated.
--Hinduism
No one of you is a believer until you desire for another that
which you desire for yourself.
--Islam
In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, regard all
creatures as you would regard your own self.
--Jainism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.
--Judaism
Be not estranged from another for God dwells in every heart.
--Sikhism
Human nature is good only when it does not do unto another
whatever is not good for its own self.
--Zoroastrianism
The Scout Beatitudes
Blessed are the Scouts who are taught to see beauty in all
things around them...for their world will be a place of
grace and wonder.
Blessed are the Scouts who are led with patience and
understanding... for they will learn the strength of
endurance and the gift of tolerance.
Blessed are the Scouts who are provided a home where family
members dwell in harmony and close communion...for they
shall become the peacemakers of the world.
Blessed are the Scouts who are taught the value and power of
truth...for they shall search for knowledge and use it with
wisdom and discernment.
Blessed are the Scouts who are guided by those with faith in
a loving God...for they will find Him early and will walk
with Him through life.
Blessed are the Scouts who are loved and know that they are
loved...for they shall sow seeds of love in the world and
reap joy for themselves and others.
Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gets understanding,
For the gain from it is better than gain from silver,
And its profit is better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
And nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
Those who hold her fast are called happy.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding he established the heavens;
By His knowledge the deeps broke forth,
And the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion;
Let them not escape from your sight,
And they will be life for your soul
And adornment for your neck.
Then you will surely walk on your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
If you sit down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin
of the wicked, when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence and
will keep your foot from being caught.
--Proverbs 3:13-26
Songs and Hymns
"This is my Father's World"
This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears,
All nature sings and 'round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is my Father's world. I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world. The birds their carols raise;
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world. He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
"Michael Row the Boat Ashore"
Michael row the boat ashore, Alleluia,
Michael row the boat ashore, Alleluia.
Jordan's river is chilly and cold, Alleluia,
Chills the body but not the soul, Alleluia.
Jordan's river is deep and wide, Alleluia,
Meet my mother on the other side, Alleluia.
Gabriel blow the trumpet horn, Alleluia,
Blow the trumpet loud and long, Alleluia.
Brother lend a helping hand, Alleluia,
Brother lend a helping hand, Alleluia.
Michael row the boat ashore, Alleluia,
Michael row the boat ashore, Alleluia.
"Amazing Grace"
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found;
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear.
And grace my fear relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come.
'Twas grace that brought us safe this far,
And grace will bring us home
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found;
Was blind, but now I see.
"Scout Vespers"
Softly falls the light of day,
As our campfire fades away.
Silently, each Scout should ask,
"Have I done my daily task?"
"Have I cared and have I tried,
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared,
Every thing to be prepared?"
"Kum Ba Ya"
Kum ba ya, My Lord, Kum ba ya.
Kum ba ya, My Lord, Kum ba ya.
Kum ba ya, My Lord, Kum ba ya.
Oh Lord, Kum ba ya.
Some one's crying Lord, Kum ba ya.
Some one's laughing Lord, Kum ba ya.
Some one's shouting Lord, Kum ba ya.
Some one's praying Lord, Kum ba ya.
Kum ba ya, My Lord Kum ba ya.
"God Bless America"
God Bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night with the light from above,
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the ocean, white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.
"Let There Be Peace on Earth"
Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father,
brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment
and live each moment
in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me.
"For the Beauty of the Earth"
For the Beauty of the Earth, For the Beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the wonder of each hour, of the day and of the night
Hill and vale, tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of
light
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye, For the heart and mind's delight
For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise
"Morning Has Broken"
Morning has broken, Like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken, Like the first bird,
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing fresh from the word.
Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness Where His feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning,
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, Praise every morning,
God's recreation of the new day!
"America the Beautiful"
>
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea!
Benedictions
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And give you peace.
--Traditional
May we all remain fast and firm in faith, that the glory of
glories may rest upon us. Thou art the Gracious, the
Bountiful, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
--From the Baha'i Writings
May the Lord watch between me and thee,
While we are absent from one another.
"An Old Irish Blessing"
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your friends,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
"The Scoutmaster's Benediction"
May the great Scoutmaster of all true Scouts
Be with us until we meet again.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank all those who assisted in the completion of
this project by contributing materials and otherwise supporting
me with their prayers and good wishes. This has been quite an
experience for me, filled with joys and frustrations, happiness
and heartache (like when my computer crashed and I lost 12 pages
of material), but ultimately rewarding me with a sense of giving
something that would be of some use to Scouts and Scouters and
that would bring about greater respect and understanding among
those of differing Faiths.
Special thanks is due my colleagues on the Scouts-L international
computer discussion group who sent many, many pages of material
for me to review.
I would also like to thank the participants and instructors at
National Camp School (Western Region), Monte Toyon, CA for
providing additional resources.
Thanks also to my Wood Badge Scoutmaster and Counselor Evan
Mason, Bob Nichols, WB SPL, my friend John Halunen, who has been
a source of inspiration in my recent term as District Chairman,
Sherry Halunen, for her support and encouragement, and last but
not least, my dear wife, Marlene and my son, Jamal, for their
prayers and guidance.
This project began as one item on my Wood Badge ticket, but has
grown into something that will extend beyond my Wood Badge
family, my Scouts-L family, my Camp School family to the greater
family of Scouts and Scouters everywhere.
Jon Lyksett, Editor
Santa Paula, California
May 1993
"I used to be an Owl,..." WE4-57-92
APPENDIX
PSALM 1
>
Happy is the Red Man whose moccasins do not go to the pow-wow of
the wicked, not stand where bad men tell him, nor sit in the
tepee of those who do wrong. But his joy is in the law of the
Great Spirit and in His Book he thinks day and night. He is like
a tree planted in flowing water that has full branches in the
Moon of ripe fruit and its leaf does not dry up and turn brown.
In all he tries, he comes out well.
The wicked are not like this, but are like the curled-up leaf
that the wind breaks into pieces and blows away. And so, bad men
will not come out well in the last great pow-wow, nor the wicked
in the tribal council of good men. For the Great Spirit knows
the path of his braves, but the trail of the enemy will end.
--paraphrase by Margaret Primrose
PSALM 23
The Great Father above a shepherd Chief is. I am His and with
Him I want not. He throws out to me a rope and the name of the
rope is love and He draws me to where the grass is green and the
water not dangerous, and I eat and lie down and am satisfied.
Sometimes my heart is very weak and falls down and he lifts me up
again and draws me into a good road. His name is WONDERFUL.
Sometime, it may be very soon, it may be a long, long time, He
will draw me into a valley. It is dark there, but I'll be afraid
not, for it is between those mountains that the Shepherd Chief
will meet me and the hunger that I have in my heart all through
this life will be satisfied. Sometimes He makes the love rope
into a whip, but afterwards
He gives me a staff to lean upon. He spreads a table before me
with all kinds of foods. He puts His hand upon my head and all
the "Tired" is gone. My cup He fills till it runs over. What I
tell is true. I lie not. These roads that are "away ahead" will
stay with me through this life and after; and afterwards I will
go to live in the Big Tepee and will sit down with the SHEPHERD
CHIEF forever.
--Anonymous, several variants, this being the first I used.
AN INDIAN PRAYER
Oh 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.
--Anonymous
CONTINUANCE
We are the People of this land.
We were created out of the forces
Of earth and sky, the stars and water.
We must make sure that the balance of the earth be kept.
There is no other way.
We must struggle for our lives.
We must take great care with each other.
Nothing is separate from us.
We are one body of People.
We must struggle to share our human lives with each other.
We must fight against those forces
Which will take our humanity from us.
We must insure that life continues.
With that humanity and the strength
Which comes from our shared concern for this life.
The People shall continue.
--Simon J. Ortiz
WE, THE PEOPLE
We are many, clearly of different clans.
We are One by our same belief.
We have beauty behind us.
We have beauty before us.
We are the child of White-shell Woman to the East.
We are the child of Turquoise Woman to the South.
We are the child of Abalone Woman to the West.
We are the child of Jet Woman to the North.
We are white-corn, father and son.
We are yellow-corn, mother and daughter.
We harvest corn, we feast.
We offer pollen, when we feasted.
We are shepherds, we clothe ourselves.
We are horsemen, we travel around.
We are craftsmen, we create.
We are learners, we explore.
We have industries, we progressed.
We have schools, we achieved.
We have hospitals, we are cured.
We have churches, we are saved.
We walked the "Long Walk".
But the "Long Walk" is not over ...
--Jay DeGroat
Acknowledgement
As our Troop and Post (520, Grand Canyon Council) are
predominantly Native Americans of many tribes and nations, we
like to use materials which blend with their diversity of
cultural traditions.
- Pat Skelley, "ScoutLdr@AOL.com"