Scout World Religions Prayers Final 1

Troop 413
Guide to Troop Meetings

Opening and Closing
Prayers
A Scout is Reverent
Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 1 --

INDEX
1. Background 3
2. Summaries of Sources 3
a. Buddhism 3
b. Christianity 3
c. Hinduism 4
d. Islam 4
e. Judaism 5
f. Native American 5
g. Sikhism 6
h. Scouting 6
i. Other 7
3. Holidays 8
4. Scout Law Prayers 13
5. Prayers for the Twelve Parts of the Scout Law 14
a. A Scout is Trustworthy 15
b. A Scout is Loyal 16
c. A Scout is Helpful 17
d. A Scout is Friendly 18
e. A Scout is Courteous 22
f. A Scout is Kind 24
g. A Scout is Obedient 26
h. A Scout is Cheerful 27
i. A Scout is Thrifty 29
j. A Scout is Brave 32
k. A Scout is Clean 34
l. A Scout is Reverent 36

Background
After much researching the topic of opening and closing prayers on the Internet and library, I found while
there was a wealth of sources discussing diversity in a Scouts Own Service environment, there was not a simple
Prayer book that could be used in Troop meetings to bring diversity to every meeting. This book attempts to lay
out prayers or passages from various sources both religious and cultural that fit in with the Scouts Law. It should
allow a Chaplain’s Aid to find a theme for the month and show that every religion and culture share the same
values as the Scout Organization by reading a prayer or passage in that theme at Opening and Closing. In
listening to how much we all have in common, it should help to minimize the differences and allow us to see the
beauty in language and cultures in the world. These prayers can be found in many locations so the sources are
not always given. Ideally, the Chaplain’s Aide will research and continue to add to the prayers. This will allow
him to better understand his position and leave a legacy for future members of our Troop.
Summaries of Sources
In our society today, it is very likely that we will have boys from different cultures and different religions in our
Troop. To better understand your fellow scouts and be sensitive to their beliefs, it is a good idea to learn just a
little bit about their religion and background. Here you will find brief descriptions of some of the world's major
religions along with some Prayers that have been associated with Scouting and other sources. These have been
copied from several sources and not footnoted. They are attended only for Troop use.
Buddhism
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama who was born about 563 BC. He realized that the ills that
strike humanity come from inside the human being and that human life is suffering. His realization came around
528 BC so that is a point from which we can say Buddhism comes. It is a very old faith.
It is quite a difficult religion to explain. Buddhists believe that it is possible to move from the suffering of
humanity to a state of perfection or salvation called 'Nirvana'. But this state takes a very long time - many lifetimes
- to achieve. When someone dies it does not mean that they cease to exist, but that they move into another state
of existence. And in this world nothing is permanent even time is a flow of milliseconds having no permanence.
Christianity
In Britain and America, many Scouts come from a Christian background. Christianity grew out of Judaism. It's
leader, Jesus of Nazareth, believed that he was chosen by God to call the people to a true faith and trust in God.
His teaching was that God didn't just want people to keep the Jewish laws as a kind of ritual. He wanted them to
live out their lives in love and care for their neighbors and for anyone in need - especially the poor and the
oppressed. He criticized the chief Priests for keeping God in the Temple and turning the Temple into a business
which made it hard for the poor to go to worship. The Chief Priests reacted by plotting to have Jesus killed. They
persuaded the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, that Jesus was a political danger to him because the common
people followed him and, although Pilate couldn't find any proof of the charge, he had Jesus whipped and
crucified - nailed to a wooden cross - which was the Roman method of execution at the time. This was done on a
Friday - the eve of the Jewish Sabbath. Christians call it Good Friday because they believe that when Jesus died,
the forgiveness of God was released for human failure to love, serve and trust in God. Christians also believe that
Jesus, having been buried in a cave, rose from the dead on the Sunday (Easter Day) and was seen by his
followers many times over several weeks. Certainly, they believed this happened because many of them were
executed for saying so and you don't die for something that you know isn't true. Those early followers were all
Jews and it wasn't for some time that non-Jews were able to join the new community. It was probably about 30
years before they were called "Christians". It is estimated that there are about 12 billion people in the world who
say they follow Jesus. They have special services and celebrations to mark his birth
- Christmas Day (25th December) and usually a service at midnight the night before; and at Easter on the
Sunday before Easter (Palm Sunday), on Good Friday and, of course on Easter Day. Easter weekend often being
a four day holiday, care should be taken to make sure that the significance of Easter for Christians at camp is not
forgotten.

Hinduism
If you ever have a young person from the Hindu faith in your section or District, you are in touch with the
distant eras of history, because Hinduism is the oldest of the world's religions and, partly because of that, it is
different from most of the others. For example, it has no rigid set of beliefs, though the Hindu follower will pray
with deep devotion before his Dharma or guiding spirit.
To be a Hindu only two things are required -- to seek the truth and to do no harm to anyone. (Failing to help
someone in need can be understood as doing them harm). In order to be able to do these two things properly, the
Hindu must prepare his or her mind and body to be capable of undertaking them. Which is very much the heart of
Scouting.
The Temple is the Hindu's holy place of prayer, but a room set aside for the purpose, or a tent is quite
suitable for prayer and meditation. In fact, a Hindu will normally be prepared to use a church or other place of
worship for his or her own devotions.
The Hindu symbol is important. Hindus do not have a word for God like Jews, Christians and Muslims. The
essence of their faith is in the syllable AUM - the symbol - which describes the relationship of the "Spirit" or
Brahman to the world: "A" stands for the power of God to create the universe; "U" stands for the power of God to
preserve the universe; and "M" stands for the power of God to dissolve this universe.
There are two sets of holy writings - the “Isruti” which are divine and eternal; and the “smriti” which are less
so. There are 1,000 chants or hymns. The Hindu believes that the great spirit appears in three forms - Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva, using many different guises, human and animal. They also believe in the doctrine of
reincarnation - that after this life we shall be born again in another body. The quality of a person's life this time
helps determine in what kind of body they will appear next.
Most Hindus are vegetarian but some may enjoy chicken and lamb. Beef is strictly forbidden. Hindu Scouts
are normally immaculately turned out and will readily join in a Scout's Own. Other Scouts will be welcome in the
Hindu Temple.
The main Hindu festival is Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated toward the end of November. It would be
good to ask a Hindu Scout to tell about it or tell a yarn from the long history of his faith.
Islam
If you have a Muslim boy in your Group, you have a follower of a world religion of some billion members. And
it is almost certain that your member will be a boy because it is unlikely that any Muslim girl will be allowed into
Scouting - at least not yet. Islam is a way of life. Muslims are people of the "Book" - the "quar'an" or as we
pronounce it, the "Koran". There are some common origins with Judaism - Arabs (Muslims) are said to be
descended from Ishmael, who was the son of Hagar, the maidservant of Abraham's wife; Jews are descended
from Isaac, the son of Sarah, Abraham's wife. So Islam, Judaism and Christianity are all very closely linked and
while Jews and Muslims do not accept that Jesus was the Son of God, Muslims do accept him as a prophet. So
Muslim Scouts ought to have no difficulty in sharing fully in a Scout's Own, where it is God who is worshipped.
The Muslim boy has to learn the Koran by heart and will want to do his duty to Allah, which is his name for God.
His religion has two pails, faith and action and both are essential to him. He has five pillars of faith. First, he
believes in the unity of God and in Mohammed (Peace be unto Him) as His Last Messenger. Second, if he is of
Scout age he will have to say prayers five times a day - and time must be allowed for this at camp and other
events. And he will have to fulfill a special ritual washing before his prayers. Other boys should expect to see him
at prayer and respect him for it. Then, third in the month of Ramadan, the Muslim boy will have to fast - have no
food or drink - from sunrise to sunset. This is to help the rich experience the pain of the poor. But it will need
understanding on the part of other boys and Leaders. At camp a Muslim will eat beef, chicken and lamb if it has
been properly killed, but he will not eat pork. It is probably better to provide fish for meals along with cereals and
vegetables and so on, because there will be no problem with them. The fourth pillar of the faith involves his giving
to the needy, and fifth, if possible, is a pilgrimage to Mecca. The five pointed star in the symbol is a reminder of
the five pillars, while the crescent is the sign that the Islamic month begins with the appearance of each new
moon. A Muslim will be supported by his parents.

Judaism
There are some Jewish Scout Groups and Jewish Scouts may find a place in one of them. But where there is
no large Jewish community, it is very possible that a Jewish boy may want to join your Group and it is important
that he is welcomed and his needs met.
Jews base their religious practice on the Law of God, the "Torah" found in the five Books of Moses --
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Although the stories in the early part of Genesis tell of
the Creation of the world, the history of Judaism as such really begins with Abraham more than 3,000 years ago,
who first recognized that there was only one Supreme Being. It was Abraham's trust in one God that was really
the birth of Judaism. It was further developed when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt towards the
promised land. This was somewhere around 1300 BC. Two events from that time are much in the center of
Jewish faith today. The first was the final plague on the people of Egypt, which persuaded Pharaoh to release the
Israelites - the spirit of death killed the first-born of every Egyptian family. But it passed over the homes of the
Israelites because their door posts were marked with the blood of a lamb. And the other event was the giving of
the Ten commandments to Moses. Judaism was then, and still is today, based on a firm belief and active trust in
God and in obedience to the rules of life contained in the Ten Commandments.
Jewish Scouts will want to keep the Sabbath, their holy day, which runs from sunset of Friday to sunset on
Saturday. During these hours no work is done and families gather for a special meal on Friday to welcome the
Sabbath, thanking God for his providence. They will go to worship in the Synagogue on the Sabbath. They will
also keep the Passover, a festival remembering the spirit of death passing over the Israelite homes in Egypt. That
is around mid April - it moves with the day of the new moon. And they will want to keep "Rosh Hashanah" (New
Year) and "Yom Kippur ('day of Atonement), very devotional festival around September. Jews do not eat pork, do
not mix milk with meat, keep separate dishes and utensils for each, and for festivals and holy days use special
pots, pans and dishes for their festival food. Jewish Scouts will join in a Scout's Own and most normal Scout
activities.
Native American
Native religions share some similarities, and differ significantly. Tribes also differ greatly from each other. A
common concept is that of a dual divinity, a Creator who is responsible for the creation of the world and is
recognized in religious ritual and prayers and a mythical individual, a hero or trickster, who teaches culture,
proper behavior and provides sustenance to the tribe. There are also spirits which control the weather, spirits
which interact with humans, and others who inhabit the underworld. Simultaneously the Creator and the spirits
may be perceived as a single spiritual force, as in the unity called Wakan-Tanka by the Lakota and Dakota.
Individual tribes have differing stories of Creation. One set of themes found in some tribes describes that in the
beginning, the world was populated by many people. Most were subsequently transformed into animals. Natives
thus feel a close bond with animals because of their shared human ancestry. Dogs are excluded from this
relationship. This bond is shown in the frequent rituals in which animal behavior is simulated. Each species has
its master; for example, the deer have a master deer who is larger than all the others. The master of humans is
the Creator. The universe is believed to consist of many dark, underground layers through which the humans
had to climb. They emerged into the present world through a small hole in the ground - the world's navel.
Other tribes believe that their ancestors have been present in North America as far back as there were
humans. Many tribes have complex forms of writing. Other tribes have preserved their spiritual beliefs as an
oral tradition. In general, Native religions have no precise belief about life after death. Some believe in
reincarnation, with a person being reborn either as a human or animal after death. Others believe that humans
return as ghosts, or that people go to another world. Others believe that nothing definitely can be known about
one's fate after this life. Combinations of belief are common. Again, many tribes have unique concepts of the
world and its place in the universe. One theme found in some tribes understands the universe as being
composed of multiple layers. The natural world is a middle segment. These layers are thought to be linked by
the World Tree, which has its roots in the underground, has a trunk passing through the natural world, and has
its top in the sky world. Although the term "Shaman" has its origins in Siberia, it is often used by
anthropologists throughout the world to refer to Aboriginal healers. Spirits may be encouraged to occupy the
Shaman's body during public lodge ceremonies. Drum beating and chanting aid this process. The spirits are then
asked to depart and perform the needed acts. Other times, Shamans enter into a trance and traverse the
underworld or go great distances in this world to seek lost possessions or healing. Young boys before or at
puberty are encouraged to enter into a period of fasting, meditation and physical challenge. He separates
himself from the tribe and go to a wilderness area. The goal is to receive a vision that will guide his
development for the rest of his life. They also seek to acquire a guardian spirit who will be close and
supportive for their lifetime. Girls are not usually eligible for such a quest. The Sun Dance amongst the Plains
Natives is perceived as a replay of the original creation. Its name is a mistranslation of the Lakota sun gazing
dance. Other tribes use different names. It fulfilled many religious purposes: to give thanks to the Creator, to
pray for the renewal of the people and earth, to promote health, etc. It also gave an opportunity for people to
socialize and renew friendships with other groups. A sweat lodge purifies the participants and readies them for
lengthy fasting and dancing. It was successfully suppressed in most tribes by the Governments of the US and
Canada. However, it survived elsewhere and is now being increasingly celebrated. The main Abrahamic
religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) trace their development through a series of patriarchs and prophets.
Native religions do not have as many corresponding revered persons in their background. Some Native prophets
include Handsome Lake in the Iroquois Confederacy, Sweet Medicine of the Cheyenne, and White Buffalo
Woman of the Lakota & Dakota tribes.
Sikhism
If you have a Sikh in you Group, there will be no mistaking him for he will be wearing a turban on his head to
cover his uncut hair. Sometimes, for sport and games and in camp he will dispense with the turban and tie his hair
in a knot or bun on the top of his head with a kind of folded handkerchief on it. This is known as a Pukta. That will
give him more flexibility to join in the fun. But the turban to a Sikh is very important because it symbolizes
generosity, truthfulness, maturity, piety and fearlessness. Maybe that's why most Sikhs have the name "Singh"
which means "lion".
The Sikh faith is really a break-away from the Hindu faith and dates back to the second half of the 15th
Century when its founder - Guru Nanek - lived. Guru really means "teacher" and the most commonly used name
for God in the Sikh Faith is Sat Guru - being the teacher. The name "Sikh" literally means disciple.
The reason this religion was founded was to provide a faith that crossed the barriers between religions. The
very first thing that Guru Nanek said was "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim."
The whole practice of the Sikh religion is the brotherhood of all people - something like the concept of
Scouting. They believe in one God whose name is true, who is the Creator and who has been, is now and will be
in every age. But the Sikh believes that it is impossible to gain a concept of God; it is his duty only to worship him
and follow his way. The Sikh faith has no ministers or priests and anyone can lead worship. Sikh hymns are
usually played on drums and sitars (that's a kind of Guitar). There are no restrictions on food, though many Sikhs
are vegetarian.
Sikh girls are treated as equals in orthodox families, so they may be interested in sharing in a Venture Scout
Unit [Explorer Post] or as a leader in on of the other sections. Both boys and girls, young men and young women
will be happy to share in a Scouts' Own because they are encouraged to pray to God as much as possible and to
share their goods with the needy. Anyone is welcome at a Gurdwara, which is the name for a Sikh Temple. Sikh's
celebrate the birthdays of Guru Nanek at the end of November and Guru Gobind Singh around Christmas time.
Scouting
When creating the Scouting method, Baden-Powell was adamant that there was a place for God within it. In
“Scouting for Boys”, Baden-Powell wrote specifically about Christianity, since he was writing for youth groups in
the United Kingdom: “We aim for the practice of Christianity in their everyday life and dealings, and not merely the
profession of theology on Sundays ”. Indeed, the Scout Promise requires an incoming member to fulfill their
"duty to God". However, the founder's position moved shortly after the Scout movement began to grow rapidly
around the world, and his writings and speeches allowed for all religions. He did continue to emphasize that God
was a part of a Scout's life: “When asked where religion came into Scouting and Guiding”, Baden-Powell replied,
“It does not come in at all. It is already there. It is a fundamental factor underlying Scouting and Guiding. Though
we hold no brief for any one form of belief over another, we see a way to helping all by carrying the same principle
into practice as is now being employed in other branches of education ” Baden-Powell's gravestone bears no
cross or other religious symbol. Rather, in addition to the Boy Scout and Girl Guide Badges, it bears a circle with
a dot in the centre, the trail sign for "Going home" / "I have gone home”.
Religion and spirituality is still a key part of the Scouting method. The two major world organizations have
slightly different interpretations. The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) states the following in

its Fundamental Principles: Under the title "Duty to God", the first of the above-mentioned principles of the Scout
Movement is defined as "adherence to spiritual principles, loyalty to the religion that expresses them and
acceptance of the duties resulting therefrom". It should be noted that, by contrast to the title, the body of the text
does not use the word "God", in order to make it clear that the clause also covers religions which are non-
monotheistic, such as Hinduism, or those which do not recognize a personal God, such as Buddhism.
And the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) stated the following in the 21st World
Conference in 1972: “The essence of Duty to God is the acknowledgement of the necessity for a search for a
faith in God, in a Supreme Being, and the acknowledgement of a force higher than man of the highest Spiritual
Principles.” National organizations may further define it. For instance, the current Religious Policy of The Scout
Association of the United Kingdom states that: "All Members of the Movement are encouraged to: make every
effort to progress in the understanding and observance of the Promise to do their best to do their duty to God;
belong to some religious body; and carry into daily practice what they profess."
Many Scout/Guide groups are supported by local religious bodies, including Christian, Islamic, Jewish and
Sikh communities. These local groups often have a more strict interpretation on the original writings of Baden-
Powell concerning religion. However, since they often belong to national organizations that are not of a specific
religion, there are usually groups in the neighborhood that have a less strict interpretation. Additionally, some
national organizations are aimed at the adherents of a specific religion, but there usually are other
Scouting/Guiding organizations within that country that are more open or have a more neutral point of view
concerning religion. The Scout Promise is easily adapted to accommodate these, and other, faiths. One of the
Belgium organizations, FOS Open Scouting, replaced "duty to God" with "loyal to a higher ideal" in their promise.
Other Sources
Other sources used in this document include prayers develop in certain countries steep in the culture of that area.
Other sources include writers that penned passages or prayers that seemed fitting to the topic.

Holidays
EXPLANATORY NOTES
This calendar is provided in an effort in helping you to become aware of religious diversity. EASTERN ORTHODOX DATES: According to the Eastern
Orthodox Church calendar, the day begins after evening vespers at sunset and concludes with vespers on the following day. For this reason the
observance of all Eastern Orthodox holy days begins at sunset on the evening before the holy day. ISLAMIC DATES: The Islamic calendar begins with
Muharram. All Islamic dates are subject to sightings of the moon and as a result, an event may be one day earlier or later than the date listed. JEWISH
DATES: Jewish holidays listed in boldface begin at sundown on the evening before the holy day and end at sunset on the last day listed.
Holiday Religion 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Mary, Mother of God Catholic Christian 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan
Feast of St Basil Orthodox Christian 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan
Gantan-sai (New Years) Shinto 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan 1-Jan
Mahayana Buddhist New Year
** Buddhist 3-Jan 22-25Jan 11-Jan 30-Jan 19-Jan
Twelfth Night Christian 5-Jan 5-Jan 5-Jan 5-Jan 5-Jan
Guru Gobindh Singh birthday Sikh 5-Jan 5-Jan 5-Jan 5-Jan 5-Jan
Epiphany Christian 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan
Feast of the Theophany Orthodox Christian 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan
Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings) Hispanic Christian 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan 6-Jan
Feast of the Nativity Orthodox Christian 7-Jan 7-Jan 7-Jan 7-Jan 7-Jan
Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christian 7-Jan 13-Jan 11-Jan 10-Jan 9-Jan
Maghi Sikh 13-Jan 13 - 14-Jan 14-Jan 13 - 14-Jan 13 - 14-Jan
Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity Christian 18 - 25-Jan 18 - 25-Jan 18 - 25-Jan 18 - 25-Jan 18 - 25-Jan
Muharram - (New Year) * Islam 20-Jan 10-Jan 29-Dec-08 18-Dec-09 8-Dec-10
World Religion Day Baha'i 21-Jan 20-Jan 18-Jan 17-Jan 16-Jan
Vasant Panchami ** Hindu 23-Jan 11-Feb 31-Jan 20-Jan 8-Feb
Conversion of St. Paul Christian 25-Jan 25-Jan 25-Jan 25-Jan 25-Jan
Triodion begins Orthodox Christian 28-Jan 17-Feb 8-Feb 24-Jan 13-Feb
Ashura * Islam 29-Jan 19-Jan 7-Jan 27-Dec-09 16-Dec-10
Candlemas Christian 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb
Presentation of Christ in the
Temple Anglican Christian 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb
Imbolc * Wicca/Neo Pagan
northern
hemisphere 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb
Lughnassad * Wicca/Neo Pagan
southern
hemisphere 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb
Tu B'shvat * Jewish 3-Feb 22-Jan 9-Feb 30-Jan 20-Jan
Meatfare Orthodox Christian 11-Feb 2-Mar 22-Feb 7-Feb 27-Feb
St. Valentines Day Christian 14-Feb 14-Feb 14-Feb 14-Feb 14-Feb
Nirvana Day ** Buddhist 15-Feb 15-Feb 15-Feb 15-Feb 15-Feb
Maha Shivaratri ** Hindu 16-Feb 6-Mar 10-Mar 27-Feb 18-Mar
Transfiguration Sunday Christian 18-Feb 3-Feb 22-Feb 14-Feb 6-Mar
Chinese New Year Confucian/Daoist/B
uddhist 18-Feb 7-Feb 26-Jan 14-Feb 3-Feb
Cheesefare Sunday Orthodox Christian 18-Feb 9-Mar 1-Mar 14-Feb 6-Mar
Clean Monday (Lent begins) Orthodox Christian 19-Feb 10-Mar 2-Mar 15-Feb 7-Mar
Shrove Tuesday Christian 20-Feb 5-Feb 24-Feb 16-Feb 8-Mar
Ash Wednesday (Lent begins) Christian 21-Feb 6-Feb 25-Feb 17-Feb 9-Mar
Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthodox Christian 25-Feb 16-Mar 8-Mar 21-Feb 13-Mar
26-Feb - 1- 26-Feb - 1- 26-Feb - 1- 26-Feb - 1- 26-Feb - 1-
Intercalary Days * Baha'i Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar
St. David of Wales Christian 1-Mar 1-Mar 1-Mar 1-Mar 1-Mar

Magha Puja Day ** Buddhist 3-Mar 21-Mar 11-Mar 30-Mar 19-Mar
Purim * Jewish 4-Mar 21-Mar 10-Mar 28-Feb 20-Mar
Holi ** Hindu 4-Mar 22-Mar 11-Mar 28-Feb 19-Mar
Hola Maholla Sikh 4-Mar 22-Mar 11-Mar 28-Feb 19-Mar
Birthday of L. Ron Hubbard Scientology 13-Mar 13-Mar 13-Mar 13-Mar 13-Mar
St Patrick's Day Christian 17-Mar 17-Mar 17-Mar 17-Mar 17-Mar
New Year ** Hindu 19-Mar 6-Apr 27-Mar 16-Mar 4-Apr
Ramayana ** Hindu 19 - 27-Mar 6 - 14-Apr 27-Mar - 4 Apr 16 - 24-Mar 4 - 12-Apr
Mawlid an Nabi * Islam 31-Mar 20-Mar 9-Mar 26-Feb 16-Feb
Norouz (New Year) Persian/Zoroastrian 21-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar
Naw Ruz (New Year) * Baha'i 21-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar
Ostara * Wicca/Neo Pagan
northern
hemisphere 21-Mar 20-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar
Mabon * Wicca/Neo Pagan
southern
hemisphere 21-Mar 20-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar
Annunciation of the Blessed
Virgin Mary Christian 25-Mar 25-Mar 25-Mar 25-Mar 25-Mar
Passion Sunday ** Christian 25-Mar 9-Mar 29-Mar 21-Mar 10-Apr
Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet
Zaranhushtra) Zoroastrian 26-Mar 26-Mar 26-Mar 26-Mar 26-Mar
Ramanavami ** Hindu 27-Mar 14-Apr 3-Apr 24-Mar 12-Apr
Lazarus Saturday Orthodox Christian 31-Mar 19-Apr 11-Apr 27-Mar 16-Apr
Palm Sunday Christian 1-Apr 16-Mar 5-Apr 28-Mar 17-Apr
Lord's Evening Meal ** Jehovahs Witness
Christian 2-Apr 1-Apr 8-Apr 29-Mar 18-Apr
Theravadin Buddhist New Year 28-Apr - 1-
** Buddhist 2 - 5-Apr 20 - 23-Apr 9 - 12-Apr May 18 - 21-Apr
Hanuman Jayanti ** Hindu 2-Apr 20-Apr 9-Apr 30-Mar 18-Apr
30-Mar - 6-
Pesach (Passover)* Jewish 3 - 10-Apr 20 - 27-Apr 9 - 16-Apr Apr 19 - 26-Apr
Maundy Thursday Christian 5-Apr 20-Mar 9-Apr 1-Apr 21-Apr
Good Friday Christian 6-Apr 21-Mar 10-Apr 2-Apr 22-Apr
Holy Friday Orthodox Christian 6-Apr 25-Apr 17-Apr 2-Apr 22-Apr
Easter Christian 8-Apr 23-Mar 12-Apr 4-Apr 24-Apr
Easter/Pascha Orthodox Christian 8-Apr 27-Apr 19-Apr 4-Apr 24-Apr
Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) Sikh 14-Apr 13-Apr 13-Apr 14-Apr 14-Apr
Yom HaShoah * Jewish 15-Apr 2-May 21-Apr 11-Apr 1-May
Ridvan begins * Baha'i 21-Apr 21-Apr 21-Apr 21-Apr 21-Apr
St George's Day Christian 23-Apr 23-Apr 23-Apr 23-Apr 23-Apr
Yom Ha Atzmaut Jewish 23-Apr 8-May 29-Apr 19-Apr 9-May
St. James the Great Day Orthodox Christian 30-Apr 30-Apr 30-Apr 30-Apr 30-Apr
Beltane * Wicca/Neo Pagan
northern
hemisphere 1-May 1-May 1-May 1-May 1-May
Samhain * Wicca/Neo Pagan
southern
hemisphere 1-May 1-May 1-May 1-May 1-May
Buddha Day - Visakha Puja -
Wesak ** Buddhist 2-May 20-May 9-May 27-May 17-May
St. Phillip and St. James the
Lesser Christian 1-May 1-May 1-May 1-May 1-May
Lag B'Omer * Jewish 6-May 23-May 12-May 2-May 22-May
Ascension of Christ Christian 17-May 1-May 21-May 13-May 2-Jun
Shavuot * Jewish 23 - 24-May 9 - 10-Jun 29-May 19-May 8-Jun

Declaration of the Bab * Baha'i 23-May 23-May 23-May 23-May 23-May
Pentecost Christian 27-May 4-Jun 31-May 23-May 12-Jun
Trinity Orthodox Christian 27-May 11-Jun 31-May 23-May 12-Jun
Ascension of Baha'u'llah * Baha'i 29-May 29-May 29-May 29-May 29-May
All Saints Day Orthodox Christian 3-Jun 22-Jun 14-Jun 30-May 19-Jun
Corpus Christi Catholic Christian 7-Jun 22-May 11-Jun 3-Jun 23-Jun
St. Columba of Iona Celtic Christian 9-Jun 9-Jun 9-Jun 9-Jun 9-Jun
Trinity Christian 11-Jun 11-Jun 7-Jun 30-May 19-Jun
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Christian 15-Jun 30-May 19-Jun 11-Jun 1-Jul
Guru Arjan Dev martyrdom Sikh 16-Jun 16-Jun 16-Jun 16-Jun 16-Jun
New Church Day Swedenborgian
Christian 19-Jun 19-Jun 19-Jun 19-Jun 19-Jun
First Nations Day Canadian Native
People 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun
Litha * Wicca/Neo Pagan
northern
hemisphere 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun
Yule * Wicca/Neo Pagan
southern
hemisphere 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun 21-Jun
Saint John the Baptist Christian 24-Jun 24-Jun 24-Jun 24-Jun 24-Jun
Feast Day of Saints Peter and
Paul Christian 29-Jun 29-Jun 29-Jun 29-Jun 29-Jun
Guru Purnima ** Hindu 30-Jun 30-Jun 30-Jun 30-Jun 30-Jun
Asala Puja Day ** Buddhist 30-Jun 18-Jul 7-Jul 26-Jul 15-Jul
Martyrdom of the Bab * Baha'i 9-Jul 9-Jul 9-Jul 9-Jul 9-Jul
St Benedict Day Catholic Christian 11-Jul 11-Jul 11-Jul 11-Jul 11-Jul
Obon (Ulambana) ** Buddhist 13 - 16-Jul 13 - 16-Jul 13 - 16-Jul 13 - 16-Jul 13 - 16-Jul
St. Vladimir Day Orthodox Christian 15-Jul 15-Jul 15-Jul 15-Jul 15-Jul
Birthday of Emperor Haile
Selassi I Rastafari 23-Jul 23-Jul 23-Jul 23-Jul 23-Jul
Pioneer Day Mormon Christian 24-Jul 24-Jul 24-Jul 24-Jul 24-Jul
Tisha B'Av * Jewish 24-Jul 10-Aug 30-Jul 20-Jul 9-Aug
St. James the Great Day Christian 25-Jul 25-Jul 25-Jul 25-Jul 25-Jul
Lammas Christian 1-Aug 1-Aug 1-Aug 1-Aug 1-Aug
Lughnassad * Wicca/Neo Pagan
northern
hemisphere 2-Aug 2-Aug 1-Aug 2-Aug 2-Aug
Imbolc * Wicca/Neo Pagan
southern
hemisphere 2-Aug 2-Aug 1-Aug 2-Aug 2-Aug
Transfiguration of The Lord Orthodox Christian 6-Aug 6-Aug 6-Aug 6-Aug 6-Aug
Lailat al Miraj * Islam 11-Aug 31-Jul, 31-Aug 20-Jul 9-Jul 29-Jun
Assumption of Blessed Virgin
Mary Catholic Christian 15-Aug 15-Aug 15-Aug 15-Aug 15-Aug
Dormition of the Theotokos Orthodox Christian 15-Aug 15-Aug 15-Aug 15-Aug 15-Aug
Lailat al Bara'ah * Islam 28-Aug 18-Aug 7-Aug 27-Jul 17-Jul
Raksha Bandhan ** Hindu 28-Aug 16-Aug 5-Aug 24-Aug 13-Aug
Paryushana begins ** Jain 15-Sep 3-Sep 24-Aug 12-Sep 1-Sep
Beheading of John the Baptist Christian 29-Aug 29-Aug 29-Aug 29-Aug 29-Aug
Church year begins Orthodox Christian 1-Sep 1-Sep 1-Sep 1-Sep 1-Sep
Krishna Janmashtami ** Hindu 4-Sep 7-Sep 28-Aug 15-Sep 5-Sep
Nativity of Mary Christian 8-Sep 8-Sep 8-Sep 8-Sep 8-Sep
30-Sep - 1-
Rosh Hashanah * Jewish 13 - 14-Sep Oct 19 - 20-Sep 9 - 10-Sep 29 - 30-Sep
Ramadan begins * Islam 13-Sep 2-Sep 22-Aug 11-Aug 1-Aug
Elevation of the Life Giving Christian 14-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep 14-Sep

Cross/Holy Cross Day
Ganesa Chaturthi ** Hindu 15-Sep 3-Sep 24-Aug 12-Sep 1-Sep

Fall Equinox * Wicca/Neo Pagan
northern
hemisphere 21-Sep 22-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep
Ostara * Wicca/Neo Pagan
southern
hemisphere 21-Sep 22-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep
Yom Kippur * Jewish 22-Sep 9-Oct 28-Sep 18-Sep 8-Oct
27-Sep - 3-
Sukkot * Jewish Oct 14 - 20-Oct 3 - 9-Oct 23 - 29-Sep 13 - 19-Oct
Michael and All Angels Christian 29-Sep 29-Sep 29-Sep 29-Sep 29-Sep
St Francis Day Catholic Christian 4-Oct 4-Oct 4-Oct 4-Oct 4-Oct
Shemini Atzeret * Jewish 4-Oct 21-Oct 10-Oct 30-Sep 20-Oct
Simchat Torah * Jewish 5-Oct 22-Oct 11-Oct 1-Oct 21-Oct
St. Thomas Day Orthodox Christian 6-Oct 6-Oct 6-Oct 6-Oct 6-Oct
Laylat el Qadr * Islam 9-Oct 28-Sep 17-Sep 6-Sep 27-Aug
30-Sep - 8- 28-Sep - 5-
Navaratri ** Hindu 12 - 20-Oct Oct 19 - 27-Sep 8 - 16-Oct Oct
Eid al Fitr (Ramadan ends) ** Islam 13-Oct 2-Oct 21-Sep 9-Sep 30-Aug
St. Luke's Day Christian 18-Oct 18-Oct 18-Oct 18-Oct 18-Oct
Birth of the B'ab * Baha'i 20-Oct 20-Oct 20-Oct 20-Oct 20-Oct
Installation of Scriptures as
Guru Granth Sikh 20-Oct 20-Oct 20-Oct 20-Oct 20-Oct
Dasera ** Hindu 21-Oct 9-Oct 28-Sep 17-Oct 6-Oct
Reformation Day Protestant
Christian 27-Oct 27-Oct 27-Oct 27-Oct 27-Oct
Milvian Bridge Day Christian 28-Oct 28-Oct 28-Oct 28-Oct 28-Oct
All Hallows Eve Christian 31-Oct 31-Oct 31-Oct 31-Oct 31-Oct
Reformation Day Protestant
Christian 31-Oct 31-Oct 31-Oct 31-Oct 31-Oct
All Saints' Day Christian 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov
Samhain * Wicca/Neo Pagan
northern
hemisphere 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov
Beltane * Wicca/Neo Pagan
southern
hemisphere 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov 1-Nov
All Souls' Day Christian 2-Nov 2-Nov 2-Nov 2-Nov 2-Nov
Diwali (Deepavali) ** Hindu, Sikh, Jain 9-Nov 28-Oct Oct/Nov Oct/Nov Oct/Nov
Birth of Baha'u'llah * Baha'i 12-Nov 12-Nov 12-Nov 12-Nov 12-Nov
Nativity Fast begins Orthodox Christian 15-Nov 15-Nov 15-Nov 15-Nov 15-Nov
Thanksgiving Interfaith 22-Nov 27-Nov 26-Nov 25-Nov 24-Nov
Guru Tegh Bahadur martyrdom 24-Nov 24-Nov 24-Nov 24-Nov 24-Nov
Birthday of Guru Nanak
Dev Sahib Sikh 24-Nov 13-Nov 2-Nov 21-Nov 10-Nov
Christ the King Christian 25-Nov 23-Nov 22-Nov 21-Nov 20-Nov
Day of Covenant * Baha'i 26-Nov 26-Nov 26-Nov 26-Nov 26-Nov
Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha * Baha'i 28-Nov 28-Nov 28-Nov 28-Nov 28-Nov
St. Andrew's Day Christian 30-Nov 30-Nov 30-Nov 30-Nov 30-Nov
First Sunday of Advent Christian 2-Dec 30-Nov 29-Nov 28-Nov 27-Nov
Hanukkah * Jewish 5 - 12-Dec 22 - 30 Dec 12 - 19 Dec 2 - 9-Dec 21 - 28-Dec
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) ** Buddhist 8-Dec 8-Dec 8-Dec 8-Dec 8-Dec
Immaculate Conception Catholic Christian 8-Dec 8-Dec 8-Dec 8-Dec 8-Dec
Feast day - Our Lady of
Guadalupe Catholic Christian 12-Dec 12-Dec 12-Dec 12-Dec 12-Dec
Posadas Navidenas begins Christian 16-Dec 16-Dec 16-Dec 16-Dec 16-Dec

Hajj begins * Islam 18-Dec 8-Dec 25-Nov 14-Nov 4-Nov
Eid al Adha * Islam 20-Dec 9-Dec 27-Nov 16-Nov 6-Nov
Yule Christian 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec
Yule * Wicca/Neo Pagan
northern
hemisphere 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec
Litha * Wicca/Neo Pagan
southern
hemisphere 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec
St. Thomas Day Christian 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec 21-Dec
Christmas * Christian 25-Dec 25-Dec 25-Dec 25-Dec 25-Dec
Feast of the Nativity ** Orthodox Christian 25-Dec 25-Dec 25-Dec 25-Dec 25-Dec
Zarathosht Diso (Death of
Prophet Zarathushtra) Zoroastrian 26-Dec 26-Dec 26-Dec 26-Dec 26-Dec
St Stephen's Day Christian 26-Dec 26-Dec 26-Dec 26-Dec 26-Dec
Holy Innocents Christian 28-Dec 28-Dec 28-Dec 28-Dec 28-Dec
Feast of the Holy Family Catholic Christian 30-Dec 28-Dec 28-Dec 28-Dec 28-Dec
Watch Night Christian 31-Dec 31-Dec 31-Dec 31-Dec 31-Dec
x * Means that Holy days begin at sundown the day before this date.
x ** Regional customs, group preference or moon sightings may cause a variation of this date.
x Bold titles are primary holy days of a tradition.

SCOUT LAW PRAYERS
1. A SCOUT LAW PRAYER
Oh God, we pray that You will make us Trustworthy, for there are those who have placed their trust in us.
Make us Loyal, for through loyalty we reach our highest ideals. Let us be Helpful and Friendly, for each of us
needs help and friendship throughout life.
Train us in Courtesy - for courtesy is the carpet on life's floor.
Make us Kind - for the world is full of your creations and every living thing deserves our respect.
Remind us that success comes to those who first learn to Obey.
Make us cheerful, for Cheerfulness makes our journey through life a pleasant experience.
Train us to be Thrifty in our wants and generous in our charity.
Give us courage that we might bravely face life's challenges.
Help us to be Clean in thought, word, and dead.
Make us Reverent to You and respectful of the beliefs of all people.
Guide us in all these things and never let us forget the promise to which all Scouts are pledged.
Amen.
2. A SCOUT LAW PRAYER
Dear Lord, bless all those everywhere who contribute to shape the hearts, minds, and bodies of young people.
Let us remember what they have taught and apply it daily.
When facing deceit and dishonesty, let us be Trustworthy.

If we see hypocrisy and faithlessness, let us be Loyal.
Where disregard of others and mere materialism prevail, let us be Helpful.
In an atmosphere of ill manner, let us be Courteous.
Where some measure manliness in brutality and crudeness, let us be Kind.
Though lawbreaking and rule-scoffing are common, let us be Obedient.
While others grumble and grouch, let us be Cheerful.
In an environment blighted by waste and extravagance, let us be Thrifty.
When confronted with danger and temptation, let us be Brave.
As we see filth and pollution everywhere, let us be Clean.
While witnessing impiety and irreligion, let us remember to be Reverent.
In short, in a world that has for generation after generation lamented the lack of good examples,
let us, as Scouts, stand out, grow up, and be real adults. --Amen
3. A Scout's Prayer
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"
The Twelve Parts of the Scout Law

We are all familiar with the twelve parts of the Scout Law. A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful
friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. The following passages can be
read either as is or by starting “A Scout is ______: [passage]; Amen” . The location of each prayer is my
interpretation. Many prays easy fit under several parts of the Scout Law. Person reading this should use
their own judgment and interpretation is making the reading.

A SCOUT IS TRUSTWORTHY
x Words that make up a language are more than tags for things and thoughts; they convey something of the
philosophy of a people. The word for "whisper" in the Hebrew is nachash. The word for "serpent" is also
nachash. The tongue, our rabbis tell us, is facile like a serpent. it slithers here and there, casting words,
recklessly and aimlessly--and like the serpent condemned to evil, the tongue is capable of the crushing evil of
the lie, injustice, and the cutting evil gossip in human relations. A Scout worthy of the name remembers the
sanctity of the tongue and the holiness of speech. He understands why our fathers included in their daily
prayers the words, "O God, keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking guile." Grant us strength, O
God, to be guided by Thy light, and may our mouths always speak Thy praise and the praise of all men.
(Hebrew)
x And Ruth said: "Do not beg me to leave you or to return from following after you, for where you go I will go;
and where you stay, I will stay." (Ruth 1: 16)
x A leader is best when people barely know that he exists. Not so good when people obey and acclaim him.
Worst when they despise him. “Fail to honor people, they fail to honor you,” But a good leader, who talks
little, when work is done, his aim fulfilled. They will all say, “We did this ourselves.” (a Leader from Laotzu’s
Book of Toa, 600 B.C.)
x "The person who is dishonest shall not live in My house; the person who is untruthful shall not stand before
My eyes." (Psalms 101:7 )
x A Scout is Trustworthy - I Corinthians 4:1-2 (NASV) - "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of
Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be
found trustworthy."
x You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
x So may we be like those making the world progress toward perfection;
May Mazda and the Divine Spirits help us and guide our efforts through Truth;
For a thinking man is where Wisdom is at home. (gathas of zarathushtra - yasna 30:9 - ±1700 bce)
x Doing the right thing is our best gift That is what brings us bliss and happiness.
Happy and blissful is the person who does what is right, because it is the right thing to do. (the ashem vohu
prayer – Zoroastrian)
x Whatever wrong I have done By thought, word, or deed I ask for absolution. (jain scripture - acharanga sutra)
x I will be truthful.
I will suffer no injustice.
I will be free from fear.
I will not use force.
I will be of good will to all men. (mahatma Gandhi)
x Let us be united; Let us speak in harmony; Let our minds apprehend alike.
Common be our prayer, Common be the end of our assembly;
Common be our resolution; Common be our deliberations.
Alike be our feelings; Unified be our hearts;
Common be our intentions; Perfect be our unity. (from the rig veda)
x From untruth lead us to Truth.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace. (ancient vedic prayer)
x To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order;
T
To put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order;
To put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life;
We must first set our hearts right. (Confucius)
x God grant that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth, and that the seal,"The Kingdom is God's",may be
stamped upon the brow of all its peoples. (baha'i prayers - bahá'u'lláh)

A SCOUT IS LOYAL
x In 1654, on the good ship "St. Charles," there arrived in the harbor of New Amsterdam, now New York City, a
small company of Jews. They joined the settlement which was located on a site now designated as Wall
Street. Here they assumed the burdens of establishing a new life in a new country. They found shortly after
their arrival that they were required to make their contribution to the welfare of the settlement in the form of
taxes. They, of course, made no objection to this requirement. They also learned that they were not called
upon to defend the settlement. Then a group of three came before Peter Stuyvesant, the Governor of New
Amsterdam, and complained: "We are children of an ancient faith. We have come here in search of freedom
and the enactment of the principles of our faith. In this, all of us here settled are brothers. We have been
called upon to share in the responsibilities of this community by way of a tax. This tax we shall refuse to pay
until such time as the Honorable Governor will permit us the loyal privilege of defending the settlement with
our time and our energy and thus make our contribution complete."
Thus, from the very moment that this country was established, our people have sought with heart and energy
to cleave loyally to the principles and responsibilities of this growing democracy. We pray, O God, that we
shall continue in our loyalty to the principles and practices that serve the ways of freedom and give meaning
to America.
x "You shall love your neighbor as yourself"
Leviticus 19:18
x From the wisdom of Confucianism: “The duties of universal obligation are five, and the moral qualities by
which they are carried out are three. The duties are those between ruler and subject, between parents and
children, between husband and wife, and between elder sibling and younger, and those in the intercourse
between friends. Wisdom, compassion, and courage – these are the three universally recognized moral
qualities of human beings.” (The Golden Mean, section 13)
x A Scout is Loyal - Proverbs 19:22a (RSV) - "What is desired in a man is loyalty."
x Fill us, 0 Lord, with Your spirit that we may observe Your command, "Love one another, even as I loved you."
May we know the love that sees only the good and is patient and forbearing; that grows stronger when
difficulties increase; and that overleaps the barriers of class, of creed, and of country. Help us to love the
neighbor we know so that we may learn to love our fellow-men whom we have not seen. Strengthen the bond
between Scout and Scout in our Group, in our land, and throughout the World. So may we further the coming
of Your Kingdom of goodwill and love; following the example of Jesus Christ. Amen (Prayers For Use In The
Brotherhood of Scouts, p.37)
x Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, bless our Country that it may be a blessing to the world. Grant that our
ideals and aspirations may be in accordance with Your will, and help us to see ourselves as others see us.
Keep us from hypocrisy in feeling or action. Grant us sound government and just laws, good education and
clean lives, justice in our relations with one another, and, above all a spirit of service which well abolish pride
of place and inequality of opportunity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.(Prayers For Use In The
Brotherhood of Scouts, p.77)\
x It is a loyal thing you do when you render any service to the friends, even though they are strangers to you.
3 John 1:5
x And Ruth said: "Do not beg me to leave you or to return from following after you, for where you go I will go;
and where you stay, I will stay." Ruth 1: 16
x This ritual is one: The food is One.
We who offer the food are One.
The fire of hunger is also One.
All action is One.
We who understand this are One. (traditional hindu blessing)

A SCOUT IS HELPFUL
x The Talmud tells us that man is not an island. He is one of many and the many are his concern as he must be
the concern of the many. The Talmud stresses the point that he must be helpful when called upon and when
he is not called upon he must consider how he can best serve his fellowman.
To illustrate the point, the story is told of the aged citizen who was at work planting carob trees. Along came a
traveler who asked the old man, "What are you doing, sir?" The man answered, "I am planting carob trees."
Said the traveler, "But you will never live to use the fruit of the trees for the years it will take for the fruit to
appear are beyond your years." The old man paused, looked at the traveler, and said, "I plant them not for
myself but for those who will come after me as those who came before me prepared the blessings I have
shared."
x "Can two walk together unless they agree?"
x From the wisdom of the Quran, the scripture of Islam: “The righteous give sustenance to the poor, the
orphan, and the captive, saying ‘We feed for God’s sake only: we seek neither recompense nor thanks,”
(Quran 76:8-9)
x You should not be content with sitting down to defend yourselves against evil habits, but you should also be
active in doing good. By doing good I mean making yourselves useful and doing small kindness to other
people-whether they are friends or strangers. It is not a difficult matter, and the best way to set about it is to
make up our mind to do at least one good turn to somebody everyday and you will soon get into the habit of
doing good turns always. It does not matter how small the good turn may be – even if it is only to help an old
woman across the street or to say a good word for somebody who is being badly spoke of. The great thing is
to do something. (Do Something by Lord Paden Powell)
x A Scout is Helpful - Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV) - "For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and
ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me:
I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Proverbs (Moffatt) - "Never refuse help to your neighbor, when you
can render it."
x Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God. Matthew 5:16
x Three things to govern: Temper, tongue and conduct.
Three things to cultivate: Courage, affection and gentleness.
Three things to comment: thrift, industry, and promptness.
Three things to give: help to the needy, comfort to the sad, and appreciation to the worthy.
x Lord! Make my self such that I may have love for all beings, Joy in the meritorious, unstinted sympathy for the
distressed And tolerance towards the perversely inclined. O Lord! May my soul always find fulfillment, in
friendship and love towards all beings, In all the virtuous, in compassion toward all suffering creatures, And in
remaining neutral towards those hostile to me. This is my prayer.( ancient jain prayer of love for all)

A SCOUT IS FRIENDLY
x One of the purposes of Scouting is to develop friendship. True friendship is among the greatest blessings of
life. One of the most famous friendships is that of Jonathan and David. it was a mutual friendship; there was
no jealousy or rivalry because of the success or position of the other. Jonathan stood up for David even
before his father, the king, and tried to have him treated fairly. He was willing to help him even at the risk of
his own success and welfare. (See First Book of Samuel - 18:1-16. Also 20:1-17)
x "Honor your Father and your Mother."
Exodus 20:12
x From the wisdom of Mohammed, the prophet of Islam: “All God’s creatures are God’s family; and the one
most beloved of God who does most good are God’s creatures.” (Ab-dullah and Al-Suhrawardy, Sayings of
Muhammad p. 89)
x Great Spirit of the North,
O Great Spirit of the South,
O Great Spirit of the East,
O Great Spirit of the West.
O Great Spirit, you are one.
You have given us our house,
Where there is food,
Where there is drink,
Where there are clothes.
Where there is fellowship,
Where there is companionship,
Where there is friendship.
Where we can grow,
Where we can learn,
Where we can know you.
Great Spirit:
You are One,
Our house is One,
We are One!
A Native American Prayer
x May the time be not too distant, O LORD, when all your children will understand that they are brothers and
sisters, so that, one in spirit and one in fellowship, they may be for ever united before you. Then shall your
kingdom be established on earth, and the word of your prophet shall be fulfilled: "The Lord will reign for ever
and ever." Amen (From the Jewish Sabbath Service)
x 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.
x God of peace, I give You thanks for each and every person who has done good things for me today. I thank
You for ________ who helped me by _________. Their actions have helped me find Your peace. I am happy
that these people have done good things for me and that their actions show Your love. Help me to care for
them and show them Your love and peace. Amen
x Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is doubt,
faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. 0 Divine
Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in
dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
-- from Pathways to Worship, p.25
(Readings from the Koran, of Islam)
x "0 mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and female, and made you into Nations and tribes,
that you may know each other (not that ye may despise each other) ...." [49:13]
x "And their Lord hath accepted of them, and answered them: 'Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of
you be he male or female; Ye are members, one of another..."1 (3:195]

x "The Believers are but a single brotherhood; so make peace and reconciliation between your two
(contending) brothers; and fear God that ye may receive mercy." [49:10)
x "And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you) and be not divided among
yourselves; and remember with gratitude God's favor on you " [3:103]
x "They ask thee concerning orphans. Say: 'The best thing to do is what is for their good; if ye mix their affairs
with yours, they are your brethren; ..." [2:220]
x "But the god fearing shall be amidst gardens and fountains: 'Enter you them, in peace and security!' We shall
strip away all rancor that is in their breasts; as brothers they shall be upon couches set face to face." [15:45)
x A Scout is Friendly - John 15:12-13 (NASV) - (Jesus said) "This is my commandment, that you love on
another just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."
x Today I pray that I can:
Take Time to think. It is the source of power.
Take time to play. It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom.
Take time to pray. It is the greatest Power on earth.
Take time to be friendly. It is the road to happiness.
Take time to laugh. It is the music of the soul.
Take time to give. It is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to work. It is the price of success.
Take time to do charity. It is the key to Heaven.
x There is beauty in the earth,
The mountains high, the valleys green,
The rippling brook, the waterfall.
The wild sweet rose so oft unseen;
The song of birds, the smell of spring
Autumn colors bright and gay,
A thousand treasures we can find
If we but look about each day;
Yes, gracious is the bounty
That God to man does send;
Then, as a crowning glory,
God gave to men - a friend. (From India)
x A true friend is one to whom you can tip out all the contents of your heart, chaff and grain together, knowing
that the gentlest hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and, with the breath of kindness, blow
the rest away. (an Arabian definition of a friend)
x Oh God, who has made the earth so varied and cast the races of man in so many different molds, we who live
in these lovely islands of the western sea pray for all your children. Grant that we, with all men everywhere,
may enter into the full joyous life of Your Kingdom. -- From 'Scouting' (U.K.)
x Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks close than one's nearest kin.
Proverbs 18:24
x In striving to recognize the primacy of Fire and Light,
I feel kinship with my Zoroastrian brothers and sisters.
In striving to obey the Ten Commandments,
I feel kinship with my Jewish brothers and sisters.
In striving to be kind to neighbor and the needy,
I feel kinship with my Christian brothers and sisters.
In striving to be compassionate to creatures great and small,
I feel kinship with my Buddhist-Jaina brothers and sisters.
In striving to surrender myself completely to God Almighty,
I feel kinship with my Muslim brothers and sisters.
In the recognition that wisdom flows from enlightened masters,
I feel kinship with my Sikh brothers and sisters.
In remembering that serving people should be the goal of religion,
I feel kinship with my Baha'i brothers and sisters.
In my respect and reverence for Nature that sustains us,

I feel kinship with my Native American brothers and sisters.
In feeling that these and more are all paths to the same Divinity,
I feel kinship with my Hindu brothers and sisters.
In my love and laughter, joy and pain,
I feel kinship with all my fellow humans.
In my need for nourishment and instinct to live on,
I feel kinship with all beings on the planet.
In my spiritual ecstasy with this wondrous world,
I feel kinship with the Cosmic Whole. (universal reflection - v. v. raman - cape of good hope – 19)
x Happiness be the lot of him who works for the happiness of others.
May the Lord grant him health and endurance. (gathas of zarathushtra - yasna 43:1 - ±1700 bce.)
x If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart. (chinese philospher - lao-tse - 6th century bce)
x We forgive all the living beings,
We seek pardon from all the living beings,
We are friendly towards all the living beings,
And we seek enmity with none,
Moreover, we ask for forgiveness from all! (michchhami dukkadam - jain prayer of forgiveness)
x Religions are different roads converging upon the same point.
What does it matter that we take different roads
so long as we reach the same goal. (mahatma Gandhi)
x I believe in the fundamental truth of all great religions of the world. I believe that they are all God-given and I
believe that they were necessary for the people to whom these religions were revealed. And I believe that if only
we could all of us read the scriptures of the different faiths from the standpoints of the followers of these faiths,
we should find that they were at bottom all one and were all helpful to one another. (mahatma Gandhi)
x United your resolve, united your hearts,

may your spirits be at one,
that you may long together dwell
in unity and concord. (rig veda - the final mantra)
x Oh Almighty! Life is oblation! We offer all fruits of duty to you. Kindly concede!
We surrender everything to you! Oh Almighty! May there be a Peace! Peace! Peace! Everywhere. (the
bhagavad gita 4:24 – India)
x O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose.
May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor,
and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves but guide their steps by the light
of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love.Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord. (baha'i
prayers - bahá'u'lláh)
x What is praised is one, so the praise is one too, many jugs being poured into a huge basin. All religions, all this
singing, one song.
The differences are just illusion and vanity. Sunlight looks slightly different on this wall than it does on that wall
and a lot different on this other one, but it is still one light. We have borrowed these clothes, these time-and-
space personalities, from a light, and when we praise, we pour them back in. (mevlana jelaluddin rumi - 13th
century)
x Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase "each other" doesn't make any sense. (mevlana jelaluddin

rumi - 13th century)
x By the passing of time
Surely one is in a state of loss
Except those who have faith
And perform righteous deeds.
And those who enjoin upon one another
Abiding by the truth,
Enjoin upon one another steadfastness. (the passing of time - dr. lila fahlman)

A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS
x In the Pirke Avos, or Ethics of the Fathers, it is written there are seven marks of a courteous man --
He does not speak before one who is greater in wisdom than he.
He does not interrupt another in his speech.
He is not hasty to answer.
He asks pertinent questions and answers to the point.
He speaks first upon the matter first in order, and last upon the last.
When he does not understand the matter under discussion, he confesses: I do not understand it.
When the truth is presented, he readily acknowledges it.
The reverse of these things marks the uncultured man.
x Courtesy is like a garment. It dresses up each of our deeds. It lends beauty and sanctity to each of life's
endeavors. It makes possible growth and development and a sublime personality.
x "Withhold not good from the person to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it"
Proverbs 3:27
x From the wisdom of Buddhism: “Avoid harsh language,,,(and) speak such words as are gentle, soothing to
the ear, loving, such words as go to the heart, and are courteous, friendly, and agreeable to many.”
(Anguttara Nik “ya 10.176)
x Wood and water ... wind and tree
Wisdom ... Strength ... and courtesy
Scouting's spirit go with thee.
x May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your friends,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand. ("An Old Irish Blessing")
x Blessed are those who prefer others before themselves. -- Baha'i Faith
x Hurt not others in ways that you would you yourself would find hurtful. -- Buddhism
x Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. --Christianity
x This is the sum of all duty: treat others as you yourself would be treated. -- Hinduism
x No one of you is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself. -- Islam
x In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, regard all creatures as you would regard your own self. -- Jainism
x What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. -- Judaism
x Be not estranged from another for God dwells in every heart. -- Sikhism
x Human nature is good only when it does not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self. --
Zoroastrianism
x Not long ago there was a severe drought in one part of India and in one village the water tanks went dry.
There was no water for the crops and it looked as if they must fail. This would be disaster, for the failure of the
harvest might mean starvation.
One man in the village had water -- a farmer who owned the only well. But he was afraid that if he allowed the
whole village to use his well, there might not be enough water for his own crops. And yet he felt that, as a
good neighbor, he should be willing to share what he had. In despair he asked God what he should do; and
then he waited for the answer. It came. The thought came into his mind as clearly as if God had actually
spoken to him. 'As long as your heart does not dry up with selfishness, the well will not dry up.' So he gave
the water and there was enough for everyone. (Hindu from Sharing, p.30)
x I was born with a bronze skin, and I like it. Some of my friends were born white or black or yellow. They were
not consulted. But that's all right. There are yellow roses, white roses and red roses, and the fragrance of the
one is about as nice as another. I hope my children will live in a world where people of all colors can sit and
work together. (Native American Chief Walking Buffalo of the Stoney Indians)
x A Scout is Courteous - I Peter 3:8 (KJV) - "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion of one another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."
x A Camper's Ten Commandments
Thou shalt do thy share and more;
Thou shalt keep thy sense of humor;
Thou shalt do thy camp duties to the best of thy ability;
Thou shalt not cry over burnt food;
Thou shalt treat other people as you would wish them to treat you;
Thou shalt not pollute or destroy;
Thou shalt not giggle all night;
Thou shalt not forget about personal cleanliness;
Thou shalt spread thy friendship to someone new;
Thou shalt listen to thy leaders, for they are wise in the ways of making camp a happy time for everyone.
-from the Columbia Valley District, B.C.
x Lord, we thank you for this day.
Help us to do our best every day,
And forgive use when we slip.
Teach us to be kind to other people

and to help them at all times
Bless our parents and teachers and leaders
and all the members of Scouting
Bless us, Lord in your love for us

Help us to be a better Scouts
and let us do our best for you
Amen
x Remind them to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show courtesy to everyone.
Titus 3:2

A SCOUT IS KIND
x Eleazar of the city of Worms lived toward the end of the thirteenth century. We remember him well because of
the words he left to his son as his inheritance. Being a poor man, he could leave more and yet he left a form
of wealth greater than all other forms. It speaks of the true nature of kindness.
My Dear Son:
Let thy dealings be of such sort that a blush need never visit thy cheek; be sternly dumb to the voice of
passion; commit no sin, saving to thyself that thou wilt repent and make atonement at a later time. Let no oath
ever pass thy lips; play not the haughty aristocrat in thine heart; follow not the desire of the eyes; banish
carefully all guile from thy soul, all unseemly self- assertion from thy bearing and thy temper.
Speak never mere empty words; enter into strife with no man; place no reliance on men of mocking lips;
wrangle not with evil men; cherish no too fixed good opinion of thyself, but lend thine ear to remonstrate and
reproof.
Be not weakly pleased at demonstrations of honor; strive not anxiously for distinction; never let a thought of
envy of those who do grave wrong cross thy mind; be never enviously jealous of others, or too eager for
money.
Honor thy parents; make peace whenever thou canst among people, lead them gently into the good path;
place thy trust in, give thy company to, those who fear God.
x "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge."
Proverbs 23:12
x From the wisdom of Hillel, sage of Judaism: “A certain heathen came to Hillel and said to him: Convert me
provided that you teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot Hillel said to him: What is hateful to
you, do not do to your neighbor: that is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary; go and learn it.” (Shabbat
31a)
x Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of being, but contemplate
their return. Each separate being in the universe returns to the common source. Returning to the source is
serenity. If you don’t realize the source. You stumble in confusion and sorrow. When you realize where you
come from, you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused, kindhearted as a grandmother, dignified as
a king. Immersed in the wonder of the Tao, you can deal with whatever life brings you, and when death
comes, you are ready. (Lao-Tzu)
x "Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and
compassion are the things which renew humanity." Buddha
x Blessed are the Scouts who are taught to see beauty in all things around them...for their world will be a place
of grace and wonder.
Blessed are the Scouts who are led with patience and understanding... for they will learn the strength of
endurance and the gift of tolerance.
Blessed are the Scouts who are provided a home where family members dwell in harmony and close
communion...for they shall become the peacemakers of the world.
Blessed are the Scouts who are taught the value and power of truth...for they shall search for knowledge and
use it with wisdom and discernment.
Blessed are the Scouts who are guided by those with faith in a loving God...for they will find Him early and will
walk with Him through life.
Blessed are the Scouts who are loved and know that they are loved...for they shall sow seeds of love in the
world and reap joy for themselves and others.
x A Scout is Kind - Ephesians 4:32 (NASV) - "And be kind to on another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
x Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace!
That where there is hatred,
I may bring love
That where there is wrong,
I may bring the spirit of forgiveness
That where there is discord,
I may bring harmony
That where there is error,
I may bring truth
That where there is doubt,

I may bring faith
That where there is despair,
I may bring hope
That where there are shadows,
I may bring light
That where there is sadness,
I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort,
than to be comforted
To understand,
than to be understood
To love,
than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.

It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to
Eternal Life. (Prayer of Saint Francis Assisi)
x The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness

to an opponent, tolerance
to a friend, understanding
to a child, a good example
to your father, deference
to you mother, conduct that will make her proud of you
to yourself, respect
to all men, charity.
-Arthur James Balfour
x Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians
4:32
x When a person responds to the joys and sorrows of others as if they were his own, he has attained the highest
state of spiritual union. (the bhagavad gita 6:32 - sri Krishna)

A SCOUT IS OBEDIENT
x A great American once said, "Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God." To be obedient requires the
knowledge and acceptance of the highest good and the service thereto.
x The obedience of the Jew is depicted in the story of the Roman and Rabbi Akiba. The Romans issued a
decree that the Jews should no longer occupy themselves in the study of the Torah. Rabbi Akiba, however,
was most zealous in spreading a love and knowledge of the Torah. One day his friend Pappus met him and
said: "Akiba, art thou not afraid? Thou surely must know that thy deeds will bring thee into danger!" "Stay
awhile," answered Akiba, "Let me tell thee a story: A fox was walking on the brink of a stream, in the clear
waters of which were a number of fishes running to and fro. Said the fox to the fishes, 'Why do you run so?'
'We run,' replied they, 'because we fear the fishermen's nets.' 'Come up on the dry land,' said the fox, 'and live
with me in safety, even as my forefathers once lived in safety with yours.' But the fishes said, 'This surely is
not the cleverest amongst animals that speaks thus. Water is our natural home. If we are not safe there, how
much less safe should we be on land where we must surely die!'
"It is exactly so with us Jews," continued Akiba. "The Torah is our life and the length of our days. To it we
must remain obedient, for if we were to give up its study, our obedience to principles, peoples, and
governments would have no meaning. We give thanks to God that we have remained obedient to the Torah,
the way of life, the way of justice and peace."
x "A glad heart is good medicine."
Proverbs 17:22
x From the wisdom of the Book of Samuel, a shared scripture of Jews and Christians: “Has the Lord as great
delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord. Surely, to obey is better than
sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22)
x A Scout is Obedient - Hebrews 13:17a (NASV) - "Obey your leaders and submit to them for they keep watch
over your souls, as those who will give account." Ephesians 6:1 (NASV) "Children, obey your parents in the
Lord, for this is right."
x Hearken with your ears to these best counsels, Reflect upon them with illumined judgment.
Let each one choose his creed with that freedom of choice each must have at great events.
O ye, be awake to these, my announcements. (gathas of zarathushtra - yasna 30:2 - ±1700 bce.)
x Naughty or good, I am Thy child. (paramahansa yogananda)

A SCOUT IS CHEERFUL
x It is written in our holy writings, "Better is he who shows a smiling face than he who offers milk to drink." It is
also written, "Whoever gives a gift to a poor man earns a blessing, but he who speaks a kind word to him,
obtains an even greater blessing." The deed is important but the manner of the deed is also important. A
cheerful countenance speaks of a happy heart.
x Many years ago there arose among our people a group known as the Chasidim. They were poor in worldly
possessions but rich in cheerfulness. They met the Lord with song and dance and met each other with a
smile. Of one leader among Chasidim, it is told that he delivered a sermon to his congregation. He felt,
however, that his words were not understood and so he turned to one listener and asked him: "Did you
understand my words?" He answered that he did not. "Then," said the chasid, "let us sing a joyous refrain and
let understanding come therefrom."
x "Precious treasure remains in a wise person's dwelling, but a foolish person uses it up."
Proverbs 20:12
x From the wisdom of Taoism: “If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled. If your
happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have: rejoice
in the way things are.” (Tao Te Ching, 44)
x Make a joyful noise unto the world, all ye Scouters: Serve Scouting with gladness, and join the circle of
Scouting with singing. Know that Scouting is the way; Its lessons have made us and we are grateful; We are
its leaders, guiding young Scouts. Enter its programs with a cheerful spirit, and offer boys your praise. For
Scouting is Good! Its lessons endure forever and its truths for all generations (100th Psalm of Scouting)
x Give us, Lord, a bit o' sun
a bit o' work and a bit o' fun;
give us all in th' struggle and splutter
our daily bread and a bit o' butter.
Give us health, our keep to make
an' a bit to spare for poor folks sake;
give us sense, for we're some of us duffers,
an' a heart to feel for all that suffers.
Give us, too, a bit of a song,
an' a tale, and a book to help us along,
(found on the wall of an old Inn in Lancashire, England)
x As our music cheers us, so be the melody of our lives;
As our mirth unites us, so be the harmony of our hearts;
As our spirits rise to the lilt of our song, so may the Great
Spirit uplift us to renewed endeavour;
And may the happy fellowship of this circle go out into all the world.
John Lockie, Ottawa, Ontario
x Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into His presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is GOD!
It is He that made us, and we are His;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And His courts with praise!
Give thanks to Him; bless His name!
For the Lord is good;
His steadfast love endures for ever,
And His faithfulness to all generations.
>From the Book of Psalms, Psalm 100
x Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

And the man who gets understanding,
For the gain from it is better than gain from silver,
And its profit is better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels,
And nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
Those who hold her fast are called happy. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding he established the heavens; By His knowledge the deeps broke forth,
And the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion;
Let them not escape from your sight,
And they will be life for your soul
And adornment for your neck.
Then you will surely walk on your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
If you sit down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence and
will keep your foot from being caught.
--Proverbs 3:13-26
x A Scout is Cheerful - Proverbs 17:22a (RSV) - "A cheerful heart is good medicine."
x May all the beings in all the worlds be happy.
May all the beings in all the worlds be happy.
May all the beings in all the worlds be happy.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace. (vedas - world peace prayer)
x O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit.
Purify my heart.Illumine my powers.
I lay all my affairs in Thy hands.
Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.
I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved;
I will be a happy and joyful being.
O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety,
nor will I let trouble harass me.
I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.
O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.
I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord. (baha'i prayers - àbdu'l-bahá)

A SCOUT IS THRIFTY
x A good student, our tradition tells us, sets a time and place for his studies. He does not say, "When I have
time, I will study," for then he will have no time. He is thrifty and saves all his moments and uses them wisely.
x A Scout worthy of the name is thrifty with his possessions. He is not ostentatious, he is not wasteful. He does
not "show off" with the things he possesses but puts them to their proper use.
x Of all things that we have, we remember, as our prayer reminds us, we are but stewards of what we possess.
May we never forget that all we have is but lent to us, a trust for which we must render account to God.
x "Be strong and of good courage."
First Chronicles 28:20
x From a parable of Jesus of Nazareth: “The master said to his steward ‘Well done good and trusty servant:
You have been trustworthy in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things: enter into the joy of your
master.” (Matthew 25:21)
x A Scout is Thrifty ("he does not wantonly destroy property. He works faithfully, waste nothing and makes the
best use of his opportunities. He saves money so that he may pay his own way, he is generous to those in
need and helpful to worthy objects.")* -
x Proverbs 21:5a (KJV) - "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness."
x Romans 12:10-11 (NASV) - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in
honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, persevering in tribulation, devoted in prayer....."
x Proverbs 28:27 (KJV) - "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack."
x Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise. Proverbs 21:20

x The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it. Psalm 24:1
x Look to this day,

For it is life,
The very life of life.
In its brief course lies all
The realities and verities of existence,
The bliss of growth,
The splendor of action,
The glory of power.
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday
A dream of happiness
And every tomorrow
A vision of hope.
Look well, therefore,
To this day. (Sanskrit Proverbs)
x I am but one, But I am one; I can't do everything, But I can do SOMETHING; What I can do, I ought to do,
What I ought to do, God helping me, I WILL DO.
x Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
Remain close to the Great Spirit.
Show great respect for your fellow beings.
Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
Do what you know to be right.
Look after the well being of mind and body.
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
Be truthful and honest at all times.
Take full responsibility for your actions.
Great Spirit, give us hearts to understand;
never to take from creation's beauty more than we give;
never to destroy wantonly for the furtherance of greed;

never to deny to give our hands for the building of earth's beauty;
never to take from her what we cannot use.
Give us hearts to understand
that to destroy earth's music is to create confusion;
that to wreck her appearance is to blind us to beauty;
that to callously pollute her fragrance is to make a house of stench;
that as we care for her she will care for us.
We have forgotten who we are.
We have sought only our own security.
We have exploited simply for our own ends.
We have distorted our knowledge.
We have abused our power.
Great Spirit, whose dry lands thirst,
help us to find the way to refresh your lands.
Great Spirit, whose waters are choked with debris and pollution,
help us to find the way to cleanse your waters.
Great Spirit, whose beautiful earth grows ugly with misuse,
help us to find the way to restore beauty to your handiwork.
Great Spirit, whose creatures are being destroyed,
help us to find a way to replenish them.
Great Spirit, whose gifts to us are being lost in selfishness and corruption,
help us to find the way to restore our humanity.
Source: Earth Prayers by Glenn Welker
x Campers are very special people:
They have felt the cool wind of dawn;
They have known the slow march of the stars along the milky way;
The have reached out their hands to new friends;
They have stood tiptoe to the meaning of life, and found it good:
Their eyes have caught the vision of the shining future,
Their hearts have encompassed all the bounds of the earth.
And their minds have listened to God.
-from "Campfires, A Collection of Favorites
compiled by Linda Kish
x Suppose God charged us for the rain,
Or put a price on a song-bird's strain
Of music-the dawn-mist on the plain.
How much would autumn landscapes cost,
Or a window etched with winter's frost,
And the rainbow's glory so quickly lost?
Suppose that people had to pay
To see the sunset's crimson play
And the magic stars of the Milky Way.
Suppose it was fifty cents a night
To watch a gull in graceful flight.
How much, I wonder, would it be worth
To smell the good, brown, fragrant earth
In spring? The miracle of birth-
How much do you think people would pay
For a baby's laugh at the close of day?
Suppose God charged us for them, I say!
Suppose we paid to look at the hills,
For the rippling mountain rills,
Or the mating song of the whippoorwills,
Or curving breakers of the sea,
For grace, and beauty, and majesty?
And all these things He gives us free! -Author Unknown

x This is the beginning of a brand new day.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place
What I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, not loss -- good, not evil -- success, not failure -- so that I shall never regret the price I
paid for today.
x Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacrifice, and
Politics without principle. the seven deadly sins – (mahatma Gandhi)

A SCOUT IS BRAVE
x Bravery does not mean lack of fear, but to have courage in spite of fear. Concern for the right and the truth
and to defend them with all our might is the highest bravery of all.
x The story of David and Goliath is famous because it is a story of great bravery. You will recall how the
Philistine, Goliath, defied the living God. There was no one in the armies of Israel to take up his challenge, but
David, a shepherd lad, volunteered to battle with the strong man of the Philistines. David was brave and he
had faith as well, and he said: "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the
bear, He will deliver thee out of the hand of the Philistines." (See First Book of Samuel 17:37)
x "Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? 'Me person who has
clean hands and a pure heart.
Psalms 24:3-4
x From the wisdom of the Sioux: “With the Sioux, courage is absolute self-control. The truly brave one, we
contend, yields neither to fear nor anger, desire nor agony. The brave one is at all times master of oneself.”
(Ohlyesa, The soul of the Indian, 115)
x Give me the strength to stand for right when other folks have left the fight. Give me the courage of the eagle
who knows that if he will, he can. Teach me to see in every face the good, the kind and not the base. Make
me sincere in word and deed, blot out from me all shame and greed; help me to guard my troubled soul by
constant, active, self-control. Clean up my thoughts, my speech, my play and keep me pure from day to day.
O, Akela, make me an Eagle. (Harlan G. Metcalf)
x God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth
give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted
among nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress
(Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11)
x an' give us our share o' sorrow's lesson
that we may prove how grief's a blessing.
Give us, Lord, a chance to be
our goodly best, brave, wise and free,
our goodly best for ourselves and others
till all men learn to live as brothers.
Amen. (Ancient Prayer)
x A Scout is Brave - II Timothy 1:7 (NASV)"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and lover
and discipline."
x Joshua 1:6 (Moffatt) - "....be strong and brave ... turning neither to the right not to the left, so that you may
succeed wherever you go."
x God, grant me SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change, COURAGE to change the things I can and
WISDOM to know the difference:
x Living one day at a time enjoying one moment at a time accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, taking
this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to Your
Will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with you forever in the next. AMEN
(Reinhold Niebuhr)
x God of the open air, we kneel reverently in this temple not made with hands.
The tall pines lift our thoughts above us to the Source of all this beauty.
The singing of the feather-throated choir puts a melody in our hearts, a song of joy and praise and trust.
All the discordant notes of the world are muted; all the problems of life are forgotten.
We are filled with an inner peace and know that here we have found Thee.
As we leave this hallowed spot, may the reality of Thy presence go with us to give us courage and strength
for our daily tasks.
Amen. (Dorothy Wells Pease )
x Be strong and of good courage. 1 Chronicles 28:20
x Fearlessness is better than a faint-heart for any man who puts his nose out of doors.The length of my life and
the day of my death were fated long ago. (for scirnis - norse mythology)
x I bow to Him who has conquered fear,
conquered all afflictions, conquered sensual vexation,
conquered passion, emotions, attachment, aversion and delusion,
and has conquered pleasure and pain.

May my misery end and the Karmic forces be annihilated.
May I attain enlightenment and meet a peaceful death.
May thy feet, O' Noble Jina, the friend of all living beings,
be my happy refuge! (shortened form of namakar mantra)
x You must be the change you wish to see in the world. (mahatma gandhi - early 20th century)
x Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened.
T
Don't open the door to the study and begin reading.

Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. (sufi mystic - jelaluddin rumi - 13th century)

A SCOUT IS CLEAN
x In the Talmud it is recorded, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Carefulness leads to cleanliness, cleanliness
to purity, purity to humility, humility to saintliness, saintliness to fear of sin, fear of sin to holiness, and holiness
to immortality."
x Cleanliness has been emphasized on every page of our tradition, for physical cleanliness leads to spiritual
cleanliness. The clean hand is the father of the clean deed.
x With the sages of yesteryear we repeat at this time, "Blessed art Thou, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe,
who has commanded us to cleanse ourselves in Thy presence."
x "It has been told to you what is good, and what the Lord requires of you; Only to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8
x From the wisdom of Hinduism: “Let one therefore keep the mind pure, for what one thinks that one becomes:
this is a mystery of Eternity.” (Maktru Upanishad VI:24)
x Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breathe 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 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 you 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. (Chief Yellow Lark, a Blackfoot Indian)
x God of the mountains and hills, make me tall and strong;
Tall enough and strong enough to right some wrong.
God of the stars, make me steadfast and sure;
God of every lake and stream, flow through my life & make it clean;
Let me do nothing base or mean.
God of the trees and woods, keep me fresh and pure;
God of the rain, wash from my life all dirt and stain;
Pure and strong let me remain.
God of the seed and soil, plant in my heart thy love;
God of the darkness and day, through shadows or light, be my stay.
Guide thou my way.
God of the radiant sun, light thou my life;
God of the glorious dawn, make each day a fresh start.
God of the evening peace and quiet, keep me free from fear & strife.
God of the gay, free birds, sing in my heart.
God of the surging waves and sea, wide horizons give to me;
Help me to see the world as thou would have it be;
God of the lovely rose, make me lovely, too;
God of the morning dew, each day my faith renew.
God of all growing things, keep me growing, too.
--- George Earle Owen
x All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our
thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the foot of the ox
that draws the carriage.
All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our
thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.
'He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me' -- in those who harbor such thoughts hatred will
never cease. For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time; hatred ceases by love -this is an old rule.
The world does not know that we must all come to an end here; but those who know it' their quarrels cease at
once. (Buddhist Buddha from Sharing, p.20)
x A Scout is Clean - Psalm 51:10 (NASV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within
me." Psalm 24:3 = "Who may ascend into the hills of the Lord and who may stand in His Holy place? He who
has clan hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from God of his salvation."

x 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.
x Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands
and pure hearts. Psalm 24:3
x "Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? 'Me person who has
clean hands and a pure heart. Psalms 24: 3-4

A SCOUT IS REVERENT
x The Ner Tamid program reflects our reverence for our faith. Our faith is symbolized by the Torah. "The
Torah," wrote Heine, "is large and wide as the world, towering into the blue secrets of heaven. Sunrise and
sunset, promise and fulfillment, birth and death -- the whole drama of humanity -- are contained in the Torah.
Nations rose and vanished, states flourished and decayed, revolutions raged throughout the earth -- but they,
the Jews, sat pouring over this book, unconscious of the wild chase of time that rushed on above their
heads."
For in the Torah we have found the meaning of life and the purpose of our creation. The Torah has been a
guide and a lamp unto our feet. To this Torah we turn from week to week, to read there from and to discover
its truths in order that we may be lifted to great heights for even worthier work.
x 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.
x Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1772-1811)
x May we all remain fast and firm in faith, that the glory of glories may rest upon us. Thou art Gracious, the
Bountiful, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
From the Bahai faith, Abdul Bahai.
x From the wisdom of Augustine, a Saint of Christianity: “You, O God, awake us to delight in your praise; for
you made us yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” (Augustine, Confessions, 1.1.3)
x And the WIND said: May you be strong as the OAK, Yet flexible as the Birch; May you stand as tall as the
REDWOOD, Live as gracefully as the WILLOW: And may you always bear fruit ..All your days on earth.
(Native American Prayer)
x Dear God, thank you for the wonderful opportunity to be here. Give us the strength to endure, the wisdom to
enjoy each moment and courage to push ourselves further than we ever have before. Bless our Troop and its
leaders as we continue our journey through Scouting. Let us give back to the community and to Scouting.
Amen.
x O Great Spirit! Watch over us as we begin this day. O Lord! Stay with us as we come together. O Sudhana!
Show us the way to live without the self. O Allah! Lead us to righteousness and not the sin. We come here
today to hold our Mother the Earth close to our hearts and our Father the Sky deep in our spirit. We come
with a vision. Stand beside us and guide us through the days. We thank you for your love. (Multi
Denominational)
x Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are a hundred ways to knell and kiss the ground. (A Muslim
Prayer by Rumi)
x I ask all blessings, I ask them with reverence, of my mother the earth, of the sky, moon and sun my father. I
am old age: the essence of life, I am the source of all happiness. All is peaceful, all in beauty, all in harmony,
and all in joy (Navaho Anonymous)
x God, You are Our Creator! You are good and Your mercy knows no bounds. TO You arises the praise of
every creature. O God, You have given us an inner law by which we must live. To do Your will is our task.
To follow your ways is to know peace of heart. TO You we offer our homage. Guide us on all the paths we
travel upon this earth. (Anonymous)
x Great Teacher; help us remember,
That we are members of a world-wide organization;
That every Cub Scout, Boy Scout and leader has

promised to love and serve you.
Teach us to be worthy of the name Boy Scouts of the USA
To be strong about what is right;
Help us to do our best in your service,
And to be true to the Boy Scout promise.
(Adapted from a prayer published in Australian Scout magazine. )
x Oh lord, help us to carry your spirit in our lives,

That we may share it with other by living it ourselves.
Help us to offer what we have and what we are in your service.
And help us to embody the spirit of Boy Scouting so that it will live on through us.
(Adapted from "A Memorial to a Scouter" by Laird Vanni. )
x May the spirits of the just,
Made perfect in their suffering,
Teach us in our turn,
To serve as we ought:
To give and not to count the cost,
To love and not to heed the wounds,
To serve and not to seek for rest,
To strive and not to seek for any reward,
Save that of knowing that we keep our promise true.
(Adapted from a Rover Prayer. )
x "The religion of a man is not the creed he professes but his life - what he acts upon, and knows of life, and his
duty in it. A bad man who believes in a creed is no more religious than the good man who does not." (Baden-
Powell quoting Carlyle)
x "No man is much good unless he believes in God and obeys His laws. So every Scout should have a
religion....Religion seems a very simple thing: First: Love and Serve God. Second: Love and serve your
neighbour." - (Baden-Powell, Scouting For Boys, 1908)
x "The atheists....maintain that a religion that has to be learnt from books written by men cannot be a true one.
But they don't seem to see that besides printed books....God has given us as one step the great Book of
Nature to read; and they cannot say that there is untruth there - the facts stand before them....I do not suggest
Nature Study as a form of worship or as a substitute for religion, but I advocate the understanding of Nature
as a step, in certain cases, towards gaining religion." - (Baden-Powell Rovering To Success, 1930)
x THE FOUNDER'S PRAYER
"Father of us all, We meet before Thee here today, numerous in the lands we come from and in the races we
represent, but one in our Brotherhood under Thy Divine Fatherhood.
We come before Thee with hearts grateful and gladdened by the many blessings Thou hast granted us and
thankful that our Movement has prospered as acceptable in Thy sight. In return we would lay on Thine Altar,
as our humble thank-offering, such sacrifice as we can make of self in service to others. We ask that during
our communion here together we may, under Thy Divine Inspiration, gain a widened outlook, a clearer vision
of all that lies open before us and of our opportunity. Thus we may then go forth with strengthened faith to
carry on our mission of heightening the ideals and powers of manhood, and of helping through closer
understanding to bring about Thy happier Rule of Peace and Goodwill upon Earth." (Baden-Powell for use in
international events.)
x "Be A Player In God's Team" (Baden-Powell, Rovering To Success, 1922)
x "Christ gave His life to show us that example, namely, to "Be Prepared" - no matter what it costs to ourselves
- to do the right thing for others"( Baden-Powell, Adventuring To Manhood, 1936)
x First love and serve God.
Second love and serve your neighbor.
In doing you duty to God always be grateful to him.
Whenever you enjoy a pleasure or a good game, or succeed in doing a good thing, thank Him for it, if only
with a word or two.
Let us each now say a silent prayer for our brother on our right.... For our brother on our left..(Baden-Powell).
x And now for our brother Scouts around the world.

x "It is curious to me that men who profess to be good Christians often forget, in a difficulty, to ask themselves
the simple question: "What would Christ have done under the circumstances?" and be guided accordingly.
Try it the next time you are in any difficulty or doubt as to how to proceed."( Baden-Powell, Adventuring To
Manhood, 1936)
x "....We aim for the practice of Christianity in their everyday life and dealings, and not mearly the profession of
theology on Sundays.... The co-operation of tiny sea insects has brought about the formation of coral islands.
No enterprise is too big where there is goodwill and co-operation carrying it out. Every day we are turning
away boys anxious to join the Movement, because we have no men or women to take them in hand. There is
a vast reserve of loyal patriotism and Christian spirit lying dormant in our nation today, mainly because it sees
no direct opportunity for expressing itself. Here in this joyous brotherhood there is a vast opportunity open to
all in a happy work that shows the results under your hands and a work that is worth while because it gives
every man his chance of service for his fellow-men and for God." - (Baden-Powell, Scouting For Boys, 1908)
x The true servants of the Gracious GOD are the following:
Those who walk upon earth with humility and when they are tempted by the evil ones, they respond: Peace;
Those who pass the hours of the night in prayers and standing before the Lord;
Those who pray: Lord turn away from us the punishments of hell, for it is a heavy torment, it is indeed an evil
dwelling place;
Those who are neither extravagant nor stingy in spending, but keep a balance between the two;
Those who repent and believe and do good deeds. (From the Koran, Al-Furquan, Part 19, Chapter 25)
x May we observe a moment of silent prayer, each in his own faith.
x 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)
x A SCOUT'S PRAYER
Lord, we thank you for this day.
Help us to do our best every day,
And forgive us when we slip.
Teach us to be kind to other people
and to help them at all times
Bless our parents and teachers and leaders
and all the members of Scouting
Bless us, Lord in your love for us
Help us to be a better Scouts
and let us do our best for you
Amen
x A SCOUT'S PRAYER
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 tomorrow.
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
x A SCOUT'S PRAYER IN WINTER

Lord, we are camping in the snow today;
We may fear the cold,
But we trust that your Spirit
Will guide and warm us.
x A SCOUT'S PRAYER
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
x A SCOUTER'S PRAYER

"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, Ì have not lived in vain.'"
x 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.
(FROM THE BAHA'I WRITINGS)
x 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.
( NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER)
x 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.
(A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER)
x Great Spirit, show me the way of wisdom, and give me strength to follow it without fear.( A NATIVE
AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER)
x 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. (A NATIVE
AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER)
x 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. (A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER)
x 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.
(A NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN PRAYER)
x Gracious giver of all good
Thee we than for rest and food
Grant that all we do or say
In Thy service be this day
Amen
x Tireless guardian on our way
Thou hast kept us well this day
While we thank Thee we request
Care continued, pardon, rest
Amen
x If you know the Lord,
You need nobody else,
To see you through the darkest night.
You can walk alone,
You only need the Lord,
He'll keep you on the road marked right.
Take time to pray every day
And when you're heading home
He'll show you the way.
If you know the Lord,
You need nobody else to see the light,
His wonderful light.
x ``Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness. Come into His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God. It is He that made us, and we are His;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.''
x I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalms 9:1-2
x May we all remain fast and firm in faith, that the glory of glories may rest upon us. Thou art Gracious, the
Bountiful, the Merciful, the Compassionate. (From the Bahai faith, Abdul Bahai.)

x The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you, And give you peace. (Traditional)
x May the Lord watch between me and thee,

While we are absent from one another. (The Mizpah)
x A Scout is Reverent - Proverbs 19:23 (LB) - "Reverence for God gives life, happiness, and protection from
harm."
x Psalm 34:9 (Moffatt) - "Revere the Eternal, O ye saints of his, the reverent never want for anything."
x You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether
or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be and, whatever your labors and aspirations
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world...
(From an inscription in St. Paul's Church, Baltimore)
x God's light surrounds us,
God's love enfolds us,
God's power protects us,
God's presence watches over us;
Wherever we are, God is.
x I thank You just for life.
The chance to live, to be alive!
So great Your gift,
if You do nothing give besides,
it is enough.
To breathe Your air,

to walk the woodland sod,
to feel the play of mighty winds,
to look You in the face,
and call You God.
x Kneel always when you light a fire!
Kneel reverently,
And grateful be
To God for His unfailing charity.
- John Oxenham
x God our Father, Bless us as we gather here today.

Help us to understand our promise better.
Teach us to love you more and to love all your people and to do our very best every day.
Amen
x Lord, as I start upon my chosen way,

In all I do, my thoughts, my work, my play,
Grant as I promise, Courage new for me,
To be the best, the best that I can be
x "Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first,
and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-
legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live. "You have set the powers of the four quarters of the
earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they

cross, the place is holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things." (Black Elk: Holy Man of the
Oglala Sioux)
x "The Great Spirit is in all things, is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our
Mother. She nourishes us; that which we put into the ground, She returns to us...."
Give us hearts to understand;
Never to take from creation's beauty more than we give; never to destroy wantonly for the furtherance of
greed;
Never to deny to give our hands for the building of earth's beauty; never to take from her what we cannot
use.
Give us hearts to understand
That to destroy earth's music is to create confusion; that to wreck her appearance is to blind us to beauty;
That to callously pollute her fragrance is to make a house of stench; that as we care for her she will care for
us.
We have forgotten who we are.
We have sought only our own security.
We have exploited simply for our own ends.
We have distorted our knowledge.
We have abused our power.
Great Spirit, whose dry lands thirst,
Help us to find the way to refresh your lands.
Great Spirit, whose waters are choked with debris and pollution, help us to find the way to cleanse your
waters.
Great Spirit, whose beautiful earth grows ugly with misuse, help us to find the way to restore beauty to your
handiwork.
Great Spirit, whose creatures are being destroyed, help us to find a way to replenish them.
Great Spirit, whose gifts to us are being lost in selfishness and corruption, help us to find the way to restore
our humanity.
Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind, whose breath gives life to the world, hear me; I need your
strength and wisdom. May I walk in Beauty. (Big Thunder (Bedagi), late 19th century Algonquin )
x Grant to us, Lord, the spirit to think and to think and to do always such things as be Scoutlike; that we, who
cannot do any good thing without You, may by You be enabled to live according to our Promise and Law;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayers For Use In The Brotherhood of Scouts, p.59)
x God of the universe, help us to see the hope of a better future for all your people. Help us to rise above our
own likes and dislikes when there are more important things to consider, and to play our part in achieving
some great good for our country and for the world. Amen.
x Our Father, who art in heaven and who art on earth, even journeying with your people, thank you for being
faithful and for never abandoning us. When we are in the wilderness, guide us through and out. When we are
lost, please find us. When we cry out , please hear us - in the name of the One who said, "Lo, I am with you
always." Amen -- From "Meditation" by Bruce Miles, Presbyterian Record March 1985
x We Thank You Lord ....

For the lives of Lord and Lady B.P.
For all the fun and adventures we have in Scouting
For the worldwide brotherhood of Scouts
For the beauty of the world and all the marvelous things
You have made in nature
For keeping us fit and well and happy
For our homes, our parents, and all who look after us
x Please help us ....

To be good sportsmen, fair and honest in work as in play and in everything we do.
To find ways of serving you by helping other people as best we can
To be worthy of our uniform and loyal to our promise,
Behaving as true brothers to all mankind
To look after your creation and keep this world as lovely a place as you intended it to be
To help all children who are not so lucky as we,
Especially those who are hungry or lonely, sick or sad
To be loving and caring as we grow older and to do our
Best to repay your blessings in every way we can.
Thanks to Hazel Addis, Scouting (UK.)
x Ho! Great Spirit, Grandfather, you have made everything and are in everything. You sustain everything, guide
everything, provide everything, and protect everything, because everything belongs to you. I am weak, poor
and lowly; nevertheless, help me to care, in appreciation and gratitude to you and for everything. I love the
stars, the sun and the moon, and I thank you for our beautiful mother, the Earth, whose many breasts nourish
the fish, the fowls and the animals, too. May I never deceive Mother Earth; may I never deceive my people;
may I never deceive myself; and above all, may I never deceive you. (Sioux Prayer)
x God of the sea, the winds, the tides, we praise thee for the greatness of thy power and the certainty of thy
laws. We see careless picnickers throw their litter to be carried far out into the sea by the outgoing tied, but
the next morning it lies stranded on the beach where the high tide has left it. So it is, our Father, in our lives.
We throw out a careless word, an unkind thought, and it comes back to us in resentments and friendlessness.
A selfish act, a yielding to temptation or a deed left undone comes back as a haunting memory, another's
failure, or a missed opportunity.
Help us, Our Father, to cast only good upon the waters that good may come back with the tide. Amen.
-Dorothy Wells Pease
x We give thee thanks, O Lord, for our Founder's life of service and for his gift of Scouting to the world. Help us
to hold firmly to the Law which he gave us for guidance and so to understand more fully thy will. Inspire us to
find a way of life, in which the youth of all nations, may find unity and true brotherhood. Amen.
x We thank you today
For the adventure of Scouting,
For the unselfishness of parents,
For the patience of teachers
And for the encouragement of friends.
x 0 God help us always to be of good cheer. Let us not be disheartened by our difficulties. Let us never doubt
Your love or any of Your promises. Give us grace to be encouragers of others, never discouragers. Let us not
go about with sadness or fear among men, but let us always make life easier, never harder, for those who
come within our influence; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. (Prayers For Use In The Brotherhood of
Scouts, p.86)
x May the blessing of Almighty God rest upon us and upon all our work; may He give us Light to guide us,
Courage to support us, and Love to unite us, now and evermore. Amen.( Prayers For Use In The Brotherhood
of Scouts, p.91)
x May the Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us; the Lord
lift up the light of His countenance upon us and give us peace, this day (or night) and for evermore. Amen.
(Adapted from the Aaronic Blessing, Bible, Numbers 6, 24.)
x 0 God, the Father of all mankind, strengthen, we pray thee, all who are striving after true brotherhood and
who are working for righteousness and peace. Guide the hearts and minds of rulers and statesmen, that they
may seek first thy kingdom and the establishing of justice and freedom for all peoples, both great and small.
Amen
x Lord, make us instruments of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is
darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy; for they mercy and for thy truth's sake. Amen
x Lord, we give You thanks for the gift of Scouting. We thank You for the wisdom and foresight of our Chief,
whose first camp on Brownsea was the forerunner of our Brotherhood. We thank You for the enthusiasm and
self-sacrifice of those, his immediate followers, to whom the early guidance of our Movement was entrusted.
Above all, 0 Lord, we thank You that You have permitted us, Your servants to take our share in the service of
the boyhood of our country; and for all the inspiration and happiness that Scouting has brought into our own

lives. We ask for Your blessing on our Chief, upon the boys whom we are privileged to lead, and upon the
Brotherhood of Scouts throughout the world. May we go forward re-dedicated to this, Your service, and in
humble gratitude for Your many mercies. Grant this, 0 Lord, for the sake of Your son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.(Prayers For Use In The Brotherhood of Scouts, p.32)
x Father, we pray for harmony; as we seek to preserve in our Scouts the natural spirit of mutual good will, help
us to show them a true example. Grant that the relations between all Scouters may ever be those of hearty
cooperation and true affection. Let no class, race or policy divide us. Let personal ambition be far from us,
and may we ever regard it as our chief privilege to serve. You in this holy labor; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen (Prayers For Use In The Brotherhood of Scouts, p.42)
x Lord, grant that we may so carry out in our lives the spirit of the Scout Law that we may teach it to others by
living it ourselves. Grant also, 0 Lord, that we may understand the true meaning of Service for others, and
humbly follow the great example of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (Prayers For Use In The Brotherhood of
Scouts, p.43)
x God, who has made the world so full of beauty, keep us, from the evil which the sin of man has brought into it.
Teach us to love whatever is beautiful and true and good in nature, in art and in the lives of men; strengthen
us that we may accept all the activity of life as a gift from You and enable us to be fellow-workers with Your
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayers For Use In The Brotherhood of Scouts, p.52)
x God, who has joined us together in the fellowship of our Troop, teach us to live together in love and joy and
peace. Help us to guard our Honor and to live loyal to You, our leaders and all our friends; that, with gallant
and high-hearted happiness, we may strive for the setting up of Your Kingdom in the world; through Him who
loved us and gave Himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayers For Use In The Brotherhood of
Scouts, p.59)
x Oh Almighty! May everybody be happy! May all be free from ailments!

May we see what is auspicious! May no one be subject to miseries!
Oh Almighty! May there be a Peace! Peace! Peace! Everywhere. (rigveda 4:11:51 - india - 3700 b.c.e.)
x May I be free from impurity and sin.

May I realize myself as the Light divine.
May my self become pure.
May I be free from impurity and sin.
May I realize myself as the Light divine.
May my body become pure.
Salutations to Brahman.
Salutations to the God in the fire.
Salutations to the God in the earth.
Salutations to the God in the plants.
Salutations to the God in speech.
Salutations to the Lord of speech.
I offer my salutations to the
Supreme Being, the all-pervading Spirit. (taittirya aranyaka)
x Intone, O My servant,
the verses of God that have been received by thee,
as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him,
that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul,
and attract the hearts of all men.
Whoso reciteth in the privacy of his chamber,
the verses revealed by God,
the scattering angels of the Almighty
shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth,

and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb.
Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect,
yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him
must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul.
Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been
decreed by virtue of the Will of Him
Who is the Source of power and wisdom. (baha'i prayers - bahá'u'lláh)
x O God! Educate these children. These children are the plants of Thine orchard, the flowers of Thy meadow,
the roses of Thy garden. Let Thy rain fall upon them; let the Sun of Reality shine upon them with Thy love.
Let Thy breeze refresh them in order that they may be trained, grow and develop,
and appear in the utmost beauty. Thou art the Giver. Thou art the Compassionate. (baha'i prayers - àbdu'l-
bahá)
x Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope!
Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved,
and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire!
Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness,
O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me,
O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquillity on me,
O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee,
O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy,
O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden! (baha'i prayers -
bahá'u'lláh)
x 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. (baha'i prayers - bahá'u'lláh)
x My Lord! Open up for me my heart.
And ease for me my task.
And untie the knot of my tongue.
That they may understand my speech. (qur'an - 20:25-28 - prayer of moses)
x God! There is no god but He -The Living, The Self-subsisting. Eternal.
No slumber can seize him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth.
Who is there that can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth?
He knoweth what is before or after or behind them.
Nor shall they encompath aught of His knowledge except as He willeth.
His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth,
and he feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is The Most High, The Supreme.
Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error:
whoever rejects Evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks.
And God heareth and knoweth all things. God is the Protector of those who have faith;
From the depth of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the Evil
Ones; from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness.
They will be Companions of the fire, to dwell therein forever. (qur'an - 2:255-257 - al baqara - the cow)
x God is the light of the heavens and the earth.
The smile of God's lightis like a niche in which is a lamp,
the lamp in a globe of glass,the globe of glass as if it were a shining star,
lit from a blessed olive tree neither of the East nor of the West,
its light nearly luminous even if fire did not touch it.
Light upon light! God guides to this light whomever God will:
and God gives people examples; and God knows all things. (qur'an - 24:35 - al 'nuur - the light)
x IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE COMPASSIONATE, THE MERCIFUL
All praise belongs to God, Lord of all worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Ruler of Judgement Day.
It is You that we worship, and to You we appeal for help.
Show us the straight way, the way of those You have graced, not of those on whom is Your wrath, nor of
those who wander astray. (qur'an - 1:1-7 - the opening - al fatihah)

Scout World Religions Prayers Final 1

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Исходное описание:

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Scout World Religions Prayers Final 1

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Troop 413

Guide to Troop Meetings

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 1 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 2 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 3 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 4 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 6 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 7 --

Holiday Religion 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 8 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 9 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 10 --

Ganesa Chaturthi ** Hindu 15-Sep 3-Sep 24-Aug 12-Sep 1-Sep

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 11 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 12 --

1. A SCOUT LAW PRAYER

2. A SCOUT LAW PRAYER

When facing deceit and dishonesty, let us be Trustworthy.

We have tried to be trustworthy -

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 13 --

We have lightened others' burdens,

The Twelve Parts of the Scout Law

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 14 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 15 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 16 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 17 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 18 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 19 --

x United your resolve, united your hearts,

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 20 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 21 --

Teach us to be kind to other people

Bless us, Lord in your love for us

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 23 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 24 --

For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.

x The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 25 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 26 --

x Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 27 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 28 --

x Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise. Proverbs 21:20

x Look to this day,

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 29 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 30 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 31 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 32 --

Don't open the door to the study and begin reading.

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 33 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 34 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 35 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 36 --

x Oh lord, help us to carry your spirit in our lives,

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 37 --

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 38 --

x A SCOUT'S PRAYER IN WINTER

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 39 --

x Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place,

x ``Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands.

Scout Opening and Closing Prayers -- 41 --

x May the Lord watch between me and thee,

To breathe Your air,