This Hiking Prayer has been used frequently as a final benediction to close services. Its message is one of the most fitting for Scouts in its view of the outdoors. Note that the author, a Chassidic Rabbi, lived in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Master of the Universe
Grant me the ability to be alone;
May it be my custom to go outdoors each day
Among the trees and grass, among all living things.
And there may I be alone, and enter into prayer,
To talk with the one to whom I belong.
May I express there everything in my heart,
And may all the foliage of the field
(All grasses, trees, and plants)
May they all awake at my coming,
To send the powers of their life into the words of my prayer
So that my prayer and speech are made whole
Through the life and the spirit of all growing things,
Which are made as one by their transcendent source.
Today, tonight and forever.
Come let us sing unto the Lord: Let us make a joyful noise
to the Lord, all the lands. Let us serve the Lord with
gladness and come into His presence with singing.
6. FROM THE BAHA'I WRITINGS
Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place,
and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge,
and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea,
and the island, and the meadow where mention of God
hath been made and His praise glorified.
7. A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER
O Great Spirit! Watch over us as we begin this day.
Protect us as we live in you care. Give us bounty and hold
us from harm. We are your children and wish only to please
you. We hold our Mother Earth close to our hearts and wish
her goodness. We thank You for your love.
8. A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER
O Great Spirit, make me sufficient to my own personal necessities.
Give me the strength to mind my own business at all times, and to lose no good opportunity for holding my tongue.
When it is appointed for me to suffer, let me take example from the dear well-bred beasts and go away in solitude to bear my suffering by myself, not troubling others with my complaints.
Help me to win, if win I may, but -- O Great Spirit -- if it not be that I may win, make me at least a good loser.
9. ANOTHER NATIVE AMERICA INDIAN PRAYER
O Great Spirit, show me the way of wisdom, and give me strength to follow it without fear.
10. A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN INTERPRETATION OF PSALM 19
The Great Father above has shown His power by making the stars of the heavens; and the brightness of the lights in the sky is wonderful.
His voice is the voice of all nature, and His wisdom shows even in the darkness of the night. The whole earth is filled with the melody of God.
In the days of creation He sent forth the great sun shining like the brightness of the face of a lover, and His strength warms all the world.
The law of the Great Father can do all good things and His words bring wisdom to simple souls.
11. POEM FOR NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE
(THIS IS A SONG CALLED PASS IT ON)
It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing,
That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it;
You spread His love to everyone: you want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is Spring when all the trees are budding,
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it:
You want to sing, it's fresh like Spring: you want to pass it on.
I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I've found.
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound.
I'll shout it from the mountain top -- I want my world to know:
The Lord of Love has come to me: I want to pass it on.
I'll shout it from the mountain top - I want my world to know:
The Lord of Love has come to me!
(slowly) I want ...to pass...it on.
12. A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER
Morning star wake us, filled with joy
To new days of growing to man from boy.
Sun, with your power, give us light
That we can tell wrong and do what's right.
South wind, we ask, in your gentle way
Blow us the willingness to obey.
North wind, we ask, live up to thy name,
Send us the strength to always be game.
East wind, we ask, with your breath so snappy,
Fill us with knowledge of how to be happy.
West wind, we ask, blow all that is fair
To us, that we may always be square.
Moon, that fills the night with red light,
guard us well while we sleep in the night.
Akela, please guide us in every way,
We'll follow your trail in work or play.
