Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all in the world,hear me. I need your strength and your wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and let my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things that you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understandthe things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons that you have hidden under 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.— Lakota Chief Yellow Lark