| May the
warm winds of heaven blow softly upon your house. May the Great
Spirit bless all who enter there. May your moccasins make happy
tracks in many snows, and may the rainbow always touch your
shoulder. |
|
Fruit From
The Light by: Frank Howell
|
| The use of
prayer has always been important to traditional Delawares and to
all the people of Turtle Island. Many Indian nations and
tribes have struggled to embrace themselves in the use of their
language in prayer. In some cases, it has meant to
re-learn or learn for the first time, their native tongue. |
| Normally
we do not say prayers by memory. People pray based on what
is on their heart. However, it is useful to have a typical
prayer format in mind. In the sample below, there is an
beginning and closing prayers in Delaware and English. I
would encourage everyone to pray according to what is on your
heart and what your ears tell you. Keep in mind the
elders, the children, those who suffer, those who want to learn,
and those who would prevent our spirituality. Most of
all..always, always, give thanks. It is not only our way
but the way. |
| (Niuka)
(Kiselamienkw) (aham)
Kehala Wanishi
talic (Father) or
(Creator) or (Grandmother) truly I am thankful
that |
| Nikiski
yukwe entra kiskwik I can be here
on this day. |
| Wicaminen
talic nkaski
weli nipainen
entra xknithakamika Help us
that we
can stand up well on this earth |
| kenahkihweh
wanishi -- AHO watch over us thank you
- Amen or so let it be. |
| I would like
to pass on to you what I call the Seven Circles of Prayer. |
| SILENCE --
Finding a quiet place in your heart |
| SPACE --
Making room for the Creator to speak in your heart and life. |
| SEEING --
Seeing the Creator's work and creation and being thankful: The
Creator is more than we can see or know. |
| SUFFERING
-- The Creator knows our suffering, troubles and heartaches and
will aid us to learn from them in honesty, respect, and
humility. |
| TOUCHING --
Touched by the Earth and its creatures. Praying for those who
touch hearts in both joy and distress. |
| LISTENING
-- This is a most important aspect of prayer. We are to listen
and learn. The Creator is more willing to speak to us than we
are to listen. |
| FACE TO
FACE -- We see the Creator in all that we do and see. We are
stewards of each other and the creation. What we say and do,
counts. |
| Prayer is
about generosity, humility and respect. It is great openness to
the Creator's love to us, you and me. We are not to be modeled
by the world around us, but to be continuously growing in our
spiritual life. My own grandmother knew this. She and the elders
have passed it on to us. |
| Elan
Kumankw (We are all related) --- Nan nee le'ketch (So let it be) |
|
