Native American prayer…
Let a Lakota Sioux chief keep you centered in a world that would tear you apart.
Translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887
Oh, Great Spirit,
Whose voice I hear in the winds
and 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 hold 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.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
Help me remain calm and strong in the
face of all that comes towards me.
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.
🌎🌏🌍
PRAYERS FOR JOURNALISTS
WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS
By Christopher B. Daly
A passage from Yom Kippur service.
For failures of truth, O Lord, we ask forgiveness.
For passing judgment without knowledge of the fact,
and for distorting facts to fit our theories,
For deceiving ourselves and others with half-truths,
and for pretending to emotions we do not feel.
✡️
BE BOLD TO CONFRONT EVIL AND INJUSTICE
By St. Francis de Sales
Almighty God,
Strengthen and direct, we pray,
the will of all whose work it is to write what many read,
and to speak where many listen.
May we be bold to confront evil and injustice:
understanding and compassionate of human weakness;
rejecting alike the half-truth which deceives,
and the slanted word which corrupts.
May the power which is ours, for good or ill,
always be used with honesty and courage,
with respect and integrity,
so that when all here has been written, said and done,
we may, unashamed, meet Thee face to face.
Amen
✝️
BLESS THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS
Lekan Otufodunrin (Nigerian journalist)
Father God, we commit journalists worldwide into your hands.
We pray that you will grant them grace to fulfill your purpose for them in the profession.
We pray for wisdom and protection as they go about their daily assignments.
You gave the word and great is the company of those who publish them, let every journalist be your true ambassadors.
We pray that nothing shall separate them from your love.
As they are committed to being the voice of the voiceless, you will fight their own battles for them.
We come against the spirit of lack and want associated with the profession and pray that you will bless the work of their hands.
🙏🏾