walk in beauty

I have participated in a couple of missions to the Navaho Nation, once in 1997, mostly with members of Saint Timothy's UMC in Greensboro, and a second time in 1999, mostly with members of Mount Tabor UMC in Winston-Salem. I recently came across this prayer, and share it with you, in this season after Pentecost:

"O Great Spirit,
whose breath gives life to the world,
and whose voice is heard in the soft breeze:
We need your strength and wisdom.

Cause us to walk in beauty.
Give us eyes ever to behold the red and purple sunset.
Make us wise so that we may understand what you have taught us.

Help us to learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
Make us always ready to come to you with clean hands and steady eyes,
so when life fades,
like the fading sunset,
our spirits may come to you without shame".

Traditional Native American Prayer