From: BITNET list server at TCUBVM (1.7f) <LISTSERV%TCUBVM.BITNET@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU> Subject: File: "SCOUTS-L PRAYERS"
To: Edward Rogers <erogers@pppl.gov>
PRAYER IN CUB AND SCOUT MEETINGS
Compiled by K. Garbutt (GARBUTT@WVNVM.bitnet) PACK 49 MOUNTAINEER COUNCIL WV
>From Suggestions made by members of the Scouts-L Computer Network
The Boy Scouts of America requires that its members believe in a God, however it recognizes that there are many paths to God and provides a wide range of religious emblems in recognition of this. As Scouters we should be aware of the diversity of religious beliefs that exist even in an area as relatively uniform as West Virginia. For this reason we should be careful in our choice of prayers at Scouting events. The use of prayers with a strong denomiational overtones or a strong Christian bias shows an insensitivity to the beliefs of others which we should avoid. Having said this we all know from experience how easy it is to lapse unthinkingly into a form of prayer we have been brought up with when suddenly called upon at the end of a meeting or before a meal. With this in mind I asked members of the Scouts-L computer list for their opinions and ideas.
Below is a list of Books and Prayers suggested by the members of the list
UNICEF book of children's prayers, compiled and with photos. by William I Kaufman. Prepared for English-reading children by Rosamond V.P. Kaufman and Joan Gilbert Van Poznak. <Harrisburg, Pa.> Stackpole Books <1970> 95 p. illus. 24 cm. His Children's favorites around the world) Summary: Fifty-one prayers and devotional poems from all over the world. Illustrated with photographs of children from many countries.
Comments: Clear, simple prayers, but acceptable for any age.
2 Armstrong, Oscar Vance, 1876-
Prayer poems, compiled by O. V. and Helen Armstrong. Freeport, N.Y., Books for Libraries Press <1969, c1942> 256 p. 21 cm. (Granger index reprint series)
Comments: Includes Whittier, Longfellow, Author Unknown, various books of the Bible, and others. They are grouped according to occasion and/or object of the prayer, such as prayers from or for teachers, and morning prayers.
3 Marshall, Peter, 1902-1949.
Prayers; edited and with prefaces by Catherine Marshall. New York, McGraw-Hill <1954> 243 p. illus. 21 cm.
Comments: Peter Marshall was a Scottish immigrant who eventually became pastor of one of the largest churches in Washington DC & chaplain of the Senate. This has "Before a National Election", "To Change the Spiritual Climate of the World", and "For Our Young People", among many others.
4 Jones, Jessie Mae (Orton).
This is the way; prayers and precepts from world religions. Illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones. New York, Viking Press, <1966, c1951> 62 p. ill. 23 x 26 cm.
Comments: Not exactly prayers, rather these show a way of living. For instance, Sikh: "None is mine enemy; none an outsider. All are my brethern" and Hindu: "Together walk ye."
"Let's Celebrate" subtitle: a grab bag of spiritual ideas for Scouting, an interdenominational Christian book; published by National Council of Boy Scouts of Canada, 1974.
"Eagles Soaring High" subtitle: Trail worship for Christians and Jews; published by Philmont, no date, BSA number(?) 5-877
"Pathways to Worship" pub Commission for Church and Youth Service Agencies, 1986
"Build me a Scout, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory... Build me a
Scout whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a Scout who himself is the foundation stone of knowledge...
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail...
Build me a Scout whose heart will be clear, whose goals will be high. A Scout who will master himself before he seeks to master others, one who will march into the future, yet never forget the past...
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength...
Then I, a Scouter who knew him, will dare to whisper, `I have not lived in vain.'"
Prayer composed by Chief Yellow Lark, a Blackfoot Indian--
Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me. I come before you, one of your many children. I am weak and small. I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset; my ears sharp so I may hear your voice. Make me wise, so I may learn the things you have taught my people, the lessons you have hidden under every rock and leaf. I seek strength, not to be superior to my brothers, but to be able to fight my greatest enemy--myself. Make me ever ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so whenever life fades, like the fading sunset, my spirit will come to you without shame.
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,
O Lord, this solemn prayer comes from deep desire, May my life be as pure as candle fire.
Let my every breath dispel the world's gloom, Let my spirit glow so brightly that darkness meets its doom. May my life enhance my country's glory
As the flower enhances the garden's splendid revelry. May I be as faithfully drawn to learning As the moth is drawn to the candle's burning. May my life be devoted to serving the needy And to loving a sorrowful, ever suffering humanity. Lead me away from the path of temptation. O Lord, let truth alone be my destination.
A Indian Version of the Lords Prayer (Use with caution)
"Great Spirit, whose tepee is the sky and whose hunting ground is the earth, Mighty and fearful are you called.
Ruler over storms, over men and birds and beasts, Have your way over all --
Over earthways as over skyways.
Find us this day our meat and corn, That we may be strong and brave. And put aside from us our wicked ways as we put aside the bad works of them who do us wrong.
And let us not have such troubles as lead us into crooked roads, But keep us from all evil,
For yours is all that Is --the earth and the sky; the streams, the hills and the valleys, the stars, the moon, and the sun, and all that live and breathe. Wonderful, shining, mighty Spirit."
