O Great White Spirit,
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to our world and all worlds.
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 I 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 in every rock.
Give me the strength, not to be greater than my brother,
But to fight my biggest 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.

From the Sioux Indian Tradition