Native American Prayers

God, the Great Spirit,
     You called the Native American people
     to be sensitive to Your presence in nature.
In that tradition we pray the prayer of directions:

(Turn to the North and raise your right hand in that direction.)

North is a place of trust, a trusting place.
North is a place of waiting and watching.
Give us strength and courage
     to embrace our crosses and be transformed.

(Turn to the East and raise your right hand in that direction.)

East is the place of the rising sun.
East is for beginning, birth and newness of life.
Recreate us anew each day
     and grant us the dawn of understanding.

(Turn to the South and raise your right hand in that direction.)

South is the place of daytime growth,
     of warmth and friendship.
South is for activity, childhood, searching for answers.
Bless us with true and faithful family and friends
     and deepen our fidelity to one another.

(Turn to the West and raise your right hand in that direction.)

West is the place of the setting sun.
West is for pondering, looking within,
     going deep inside, the place of mystical rest.
Dwell in the holy temple of our heart,
     heal our hurts and help us to rest in peace.

(Invite the people to face heavenward, look upward.)

The heavens are the source of light and life.
The sky is the place of emanation, the throne of the Great Spirit.
Protect and guard us, Ruler of the universe,
     and reveal the wonders of your mystery.

(Invite the people to face toward Mother Earth.)

Mother Earth is the holy vessel containing the Eternal Flame.
The Earth receives, embraces and nourishes.
Grant that we be humble stewards of our planet,
    and grateful for the bountiful gift of life.

(Place your right hand on your heart.)

The very center is God dwelling in our heart.
The center of our very being is the balancing place.
Unite and transform us in Your divine embrace,
     and help us to nurture the Tree of Life.

God, the Great Spirit,
     You call us to be in the circle of life.
You have given us Mother Earth
     sharing your nurturing and sustaining power in all its beauty.
Help us to be gentle, kind
     and attentive to Your presence in nature.
Bless all Native Americans who teach us
     to stand together like trees with roots intertwined,
     strengthening each other.
We ask all of this through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord.
     AMEN.

Spirit of the North,
     soften all that is hard and cold within me.
     Melt with mercy any harsh judgments that I have.
Spirit of the East,
     awaken me to Your Presence among us.
     Enlighten the darkness in the depths of my soul.
Spirit of the South,
     warm my chilling complaints with the sunshine of Your love.
     Brighten the dullness of my downcast heart.
Spirit of the West,
     relax my anxious manner with Your healing hand.
     Reveal Your peace in the midst of strife.