Eastern Delaware Nations Prayers

PRAYERS

Cherokee Prayer Blessing
May the warm winds of heaven blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit bless all who enter there.
May your moccasins make happy tracks in many snows,
and may the rainbow always touch your shoulder.

The use of prayer has always been important to traditional Delaware people, and to all the people of Turtle Island. Many Indian nations and tribes have struggled to embrace themselves in the use of their own language in prayer. In some cases, it has meant re-learning, or learning for the first time, their native tongue.

Normally we do not say prayers by memory. People pray based on what is on their heart.
However, it is useful to have a typical prayer format in mind.
In the sample below, there is a beginning and closing in Delaware and English.
Pray according to what is on your heart, and what your ears tell you. Keep in mind elders, children, those who suffer, those who want to learn, and those who would prevent our spirituality.
Most of all . . . always, always, give thanks. It is not only our way but the way. Back to top

Beginning

Niuka Father, Kiselamienkw Creator, or Aham Grandmother

Kehala Wanishi talic truly I am thankful that
Nikiski yukwe entra kiskwik I can be here on this day.

Closing

Wicaminen talic nkaski weli nipainen entra xknithakamika
Help us that we can stand up well on this earth

kenahkihweh wanishi -- AHO
Watch over us, thank you - let it be so.

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Seven Circles of Prayer - Contributed by an EDN member

SILENCE -- Find a quiet place in your heart

SPACE -- Make room for Creator to speak in your heart and life.

SEEING -- Seeing Creator's work, and creation, and being thankful: Creator is more than we can see or know.

SUFFERING -- Creator knows our suffering, troubles, and heartaches, and will help us to learn from them in honesty, respect, and humility.

TOUCHING -- Touched by the Earth and its creatures. Praying for those who touch hearts in both joy and distress.

LISTENING -- This is a most important aspect of prayer. We are to listen and learn. Creator is more willing to speak to us than we are to listen.

FACE TO FACE -- We see Creator in all that we do and see. We are stewards of each other and the creation. What we say and do, counts.

Prayer is about generosity, humility and respect. It is great openness to the Creator's love to us, you and me. We are not to be modeled by the world around us, but to be continuously growing in our spiritual life. My own grandmother knew this. She and the elders have passed it on to us.

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