O Great Spirit

O, Great Spirit
whose voice I hear in the winds,
Whose breath gives life to the world,
hear me . . .
I come to you
as one of your many children.
I am small and weak.
I need your strength and your wisdom.
May I walk in beauty.
Make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect
the things you have made,
And my ears sharp to your voice.
Make me wise so that I may know
the thing you have taught your children,
The lessons you have written
on every leaf and rock.
Make me strong,
Not to be superior
to my brothers and sisters,
but to fight my greatest enemy . . .
Myself . . .
Make me ever ready to come to you
with straight eyes,
So that when life fades
as the fading sunset,
My spirit may come to you without shame.
Amen.

Based on Psalm 143:8-11
Source: "Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha," The People: Reflections of Native Peoples on the Catholic Experience in North America. National Catholic Education Association, Washington DC: 1992. Special Thanks to Kateri Mitchell, SSA, of the Mohawk Nation.