USSSP: A Scout's Duty to God and Country - Other Graces and Prayers

OTHER PRAYERS, INVOCATIONS & CALLS TO WORSHIP

1. WORLD SCOUTING PRAYER

Let us each now say a silent prayer for our brother on our right....

For our brother on our left...

And now for our brother Scouts around the world.

2. FROM THE JEWISH SERVICE OF THE HEART

May the time be not too distant, O God, when all your children will understand that they are brothers and sisters, so that, one in spirit and one in fellowship, they may be forever united before you. Then shall your kingdom be established on earth, and the word of your prophet shall be fulfilled: " The Lord will reign forever and ever."

3. A HIKING PRAYER

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.

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1722-1811)

4. GAELIC PRAYER

Be Thou a bright flame before me,

Be Thou a guiding star above me,

Be Thou a smooth path below me,

And be a kindly shepherd behind me,

Today, tonight and forever.

5. PSALM 100

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.

 

 


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