Circle of Prayer

In the beginning,
Creator put four peoples on the earth.
He gave them each a continent and way to live.
He placed the whites in Europe and gave them a way to pray.
He placed the blacks in Africa and gave them a way to pray.
He placed the reds in the Americas and gave them a way to pray.
He placed the yellows in Asia and gave them a way to pray.
He gave them animals and plants to help them live.
And He gave them all Free Will.

There is not a right religion or a right spiritual way.
Being spiritual does not require religion.
Religion does not make spirituality.

Spirituality is natural and a part of all people, whether they are aware of it or not. Whether they practice it through a philosophy or a religion or don't practice it.. it IS there. It is the simple human drive to be happy, have close relations, and live in a good way that avoids pain and suffering. With that comes simple questions like "what happens when I die?" "Is there really a God or Higher Power?" "How should I pray?" "How do I deal with the temptations do do wrong?"
It is these questions that gives purpose to religion. When a person has a significant question, they turn to an authority for the answer. If you have a medical question, you seek a doctor's advice. When you have a legal question, you seek a lawyer's advice. Those who have spiritual questions, turn to religion, spiritual guide, or study a spiritual philosophy.

Religion is a human developed, culture based doctrine intended to guide a particular society in practicing spirituality. Unfortunately, in some cases, in stead of using patience, caring, and compassion to teach spirituality, some religious teachers have used oppression and the fear of God to force desired behavior from followers without explaining the purpose and importance of the spiritual concept.

I have nothing against religion and I respect and support all religions. It has been my experience, that sometimes those who are supposed to be teaching spirituality through religious doctrine, are instead using the fear of God to control and manipulate a persons behavior. This sometimes develops into a person who despises religion and believes themselves to be a hopelessly, un-recoverable wicked person. This is not true. No human is inherently wicked. Some may choose to intentionally be wicked and some may have psychological or spiritual problems that lead them to act in wicked ways. I believe that every person has the inherent ability to live a good life and be spiritual in a positive way, so long as they are willing and open minded to new ways of thinking and can find others who will guide them in a good way. I offer these pages for those who wish to be spiritual but cannot or will not embrace a formal religious doctrine.

Some pray, some meditate. Some follow a ritual, some are spontaneous.

Whether you are spiritual, religious or have no experience, you can pray and ask for strength and guidance. You can offer respect and honor. And you can be considerate of fellow living things.

Prayer and/or meditation is the human way to seek a connection with a Greater One or Spirit, to ask for help, guidance, strength, and wisdom.

Here on these special pages, I offer some ideas. I don't preach them to be truth, only offer some thoughts. Because you are the only one who kind find your truth.

On the left are links to some concepts and ideas and some prayers I have gathered to offer you.

If you feel you need someone to pray for you, you can visit a prayer circle and make your request: Circle of Light

Prayer to the Great Spirit

Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind,
Whose breath gives life to all the world.

Hear me; 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 you 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.

Help me to remain calm and strong
in the face of all that comes towards me.

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.

Help me seek pure thoughts
and act with the intention of helping others.

Help me find compassion
without empathy overwhelming me.

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.