7/7/11

Prayer in prisons.

Native American Spirituality involves prayer to Creator.
Our Spirituality (church) revolves around a circle, this circle has a fire someplace at the gathering, sweat lodge, Alter, or other.
Fire allows us to keep our mind and heart on Creator.
Prisons cannot nor should they allow fire.
Therefore, if a Native American, for whatever the reason, finds themselves incarcerated, they need to compromise.
The prisons, knowing that they have Native Americans should in all fairness also be willing to compromise.
After spending many hours counseling inmates soon to be released, it is clear that most have at least one room for prayer.
Native Americans know that the first thing gifted to their ancestors was herbs (Kinnick-Kinnick).
So, we should be willing to hold prayer, sweat lodge, or any Spiritual gathering in a room using this sacred herb in place of a fire.
If no spiritual leader is available, fresh herbs offered will be heard by our Creator.
The only point we all must keep in mind is, not the equipment used for prayer to know Creators love, it is the prayer that opens the line of communication and this love.

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