Prayers for Hard Times. Becca Anderson

the center of this sacred hoop you have said

      that I should make the tree to bloom.

      With tears running, O Great Spirit, Great Spirit, my Grandfather -

      with running tears I must say now that

      the tree has never bloomed.

      A pitiful old man, you see me here,

      and I have fallen away and have done nothing.

      Here at the center of the world,

      where you took me when I was young and taught me;

      here, old, I stand, and the tree is withered,

      Grandfather, my Grandfather!

      Again, and maybe the last time on this earth,

      I recall the great vision you sent me.

      It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives.

      Nourish it then, that it may leaf and bloom

      and fill with singing birds.

      Hear me, not for myself, but for my people; I am old.

      Hear me that they may once more go back into the sacred hoop

      and find the good red road, the shielding tree!

      In sorrow I am sending a feeble voice,

      O Six Powers of the World.

      Hear me in my sorrow, for I may never call again.

      O make my people live!

      - Black Elk, 1930

      Give Us This Day

      Which art in heaven,

      Hallowed be

      Your holy name.

      Thy Kingdom come,

      Just let your will be done

      On earth,

      As it is in heaven.

      Give us this day

      Our daily bread.

      Forgive us our debts,

      As we forgive our debtors.

      And lead us not

      Into all temptation,

      But deliver us He said,

      I am Safe

      Safe

      I am Safe

      Safe

      Safe

      Safe

      Safe

      Safe

      Hallelujah

      Hallelujah

      Hallelujah

      Hallelujah

      I’m safe.

      - Ruth Baxter, with passage adapted from Luke 11:2-4

      May We Always Be Ready for the Long Journey

      O, our Father the Sky, hear us

      and make us strong.

      O, our Mother the Earth, hear us

      and give us support.

      O Spirit of the East,

      send us your Wisdom.

      O Spirit of the South,

      may we tread your path.

      O Spirit of the West,

      may we always be ready for the long journey.

      O Spirit of the North, purify us

      with your cleansing winds.

      - Oglala Sioux Tribal Chant

      Be With Us and Hear Us

      Fire of the Spirit

      Life of the lives of creatures

      Spiral of sanctity

      Bond of all natures

      Glow of charity

      Lights of clarity

      Taste of sweetness to the fallen

      Be with us and hear us.

      - Hildegarde of Bingen, 1169 AD

       February

       The Season of the Heart

      “Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.”

      —Elie Wiesel

      “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.”

      —Nelson Mandela

      “In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your energy into something positive.”

      —Lee Iacocca

      “It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.”

      —Doe Zantamata

      The Buddha’s Guide to Gratitude

      Give thanks

      For what has been given to you,

      However little.

      Be pure, never falter.

      - Buddha

      There Is Enough for Everybody

      May all be fed.

      May all be healed.

      May all be loved.

      - John Robbins, 2002

      Kind Regards

      Forgive us every face we cannot look upon with joy.

      - Frederick Buechner

      God’s Shield to Protect Me

      I arise today through a mighty strength,

      the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness,

      through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

      I arise today through the strength of Christ with his Baptism,

      through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial,

      through the strength of His Resurrection with His Ascension,

      through the strength of His descent for the Judgment of Doom.

      I arise today through the strength of the love of Cherubim

      in obedience of Angels, in the service of the Archangels,

      in hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

      in prayers of Patriarchs, in predictions of Prophets,

      in preachings of Apostles, in faiths of Confessors,

      in innocence of Holy Virgins, in deeds of righteous men.

      I arise today through the strength of Heaven; light of Sun, brilliance of Moon, splendor of Fire,

      speed of Lightning, swiftness of Wind, depth of Sea,

      stability of Earth, firmness of Rock.

      I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me,

      God’s might to uphold me,

      God’s wisdom to guide me,

      God’s eye to look before me,

      God’s