Prayers and Graces
With reverance in our hearts,
We, Your many children of many beliefs,
United in common purpose,
Gather to offer this our humble prayer,
In Thanksgiving:
As Scouters we are thankful for:
The many gifts and talents given to our fellow Scouters, and
to ourselves;
The freedom we have to join together and as a team accomplish
more than any of us could alone;
The opportunity to be of service to young people, parents, other
Scouters and our community;
Our joy at seeing so many young people become excited as they
grow and are able to meet challenges;
Being reminded by their ceremonies and legends that he who serves
his fellows, is of his fellows greatest;
And most importantly we are thankful for the gift of knowing that
our prayers are heard.
We each in own way take this moment to silently add our own
thanksgivings . . . (pause)
With thanks in our hearts we offer our prayers and ask that
You, the Great Scoutmaster of All Scouts, be with each of us
until we meet again. AMEN
By Michael F. Bowman
We have hiked along life's pathway,
Our packs upon our backs,
We have pitched our tents and rested
Here and there along the tracks.
We have used our compass wisely
To guide us on our way
And hope to reach the campsite
Of our Great Chief Scout some day.
We have tried to be trustworthy -
Kept our honor high and clean,
We have been as loyal as any
To our Country and our Queen.
We have done our best at all times -
Kept our Promise - been prepared,
And hope our good deeds please Him
When at last our souls are bared.
We have lightened others' burdens,
With our smiles along the way,
We have kept our hand in God's hand,
Walked beside Him day by day.
And when our span of life runs out,
We'll make this gentle plea -
May we sit around His Campfire
At the Final Jamboree.
From Scouting in New South Wales. Contributed by: Michael F.
Bowman
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help to keep my honor bright
And teach me that integrity of character
Is my most priceless possession.
Grant that I may do my best today,
And strive to do even better tommorrow.
Teach me that duty is a friend and not an enemy,
And help me face even the most disagreeable task cheerfully.
Give me the faith to understand my purpose and life,
Open my mind to the truth and fill my heart with love.
I am thankful for all the blessings you have bestowed upon my
country.
Help me to do my duty to my country and
To know that a good nation must be made from good men.
Help me to remember my obligation to obey the Scout Law,
And give me understanding, so that it is more than mere words.
May I never tire of the joy of helping other people or
Look the Other way when someone is in need.
You have given me the gift of a body,
Make me wise enough to keep it health,
That I might serve better.
You are the source of all wisdom,
Help me to have an alert mind,
Teach me to think,
And help me to learn discipline.
In all that I do and in every challenge I face,
Help me to know the difference between right and wrong,
And lead me in obedience on a straight path to a worthy goal.
By Michael F. Bowman
Dear Lord, from your judgement seat on high,
Look down on a Scouter such as I.
Search me through and find me whole,
Then help me Lord to reach my goal.
Help me Lord to work for Thee,
Guard my homeland - Keep it free.
Help me to work with others and be kind,
Helpful with my hands and mind.
Keep me Lord, both well and strong
To help our growing boys along.
Control my thoughts, keep them right,
sound, clean weapons for life's fight.
Protect my morals, keep them high,
Grant this to a Scouter such as I.
"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.
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.
May you walk in Peace,
Live with Love,
work with Joy,
and May Your God go with you.
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.
Philmont Grace
For food, for raiment
For life, for opportunity
For friendship and fellowship
We thank thee, O Lord.
Grace
The Lord is good to me and so
I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need
The sun and the rain and the Appleseed
The Lord is good to me.
AMEN
Scout's Grace
Let us be thankful for the food and drinks we are about to receive before us.
Let us be thankful for the shelter that protects us while we sleep at night.
Let us be thankful for the water that rejuvenates our mind, body & soul.
Let us be thankful for the earth we walk on and the air we breathe.
Let us be thankful for the fire that keeps us warm and gives us light.
Let us be thankful for natural surroundings that give the earth beauty and life.
Let us be thankful for the family and friends that are helpful when we need them the most.
Let us be thankful for the staff and leaders that lead us on our way.
Amen
By:
Peter, Life
Patrick, 1st Class
Keith, Scout
Troop 10
Reseda, California
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