Native American

Step 3: We made a decision to ask for help from a Higher Power and others who understand.

Principle: Faith - "Finding the Creator"

This Step focuses on seeking help and guidance from an Elder, a Medicine person, a sponsor, a mentor or a spiritual friend. Allow your eyes, ears and heart to guide you to the right person who can understand and support.

Text or Verse - "Prayer to the Great Spirit"

O Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the winds,
and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me!

I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.

Let me hear the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.

I need strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.

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.
A-hO

Practice

Reflect on your relationship with a Higher Power.
What would you like it to be? Use a mind map to write down the characteristics and traits you envision.
When you are ready to take the 3rd step, go to the Medicine person, spiritual leader, Pipe Carrier or Elder to help you take the step.
Facing East (the place of new beginnings), smoke the pipe.
Say the 3rd Step prayer (above) out loud.
Know that your new beginnings, begin today.

Resources

Medicine Wheel and the 12 Steps for Men
Medicine Wheel and the 12 Steps for Women
www.whitebison.org (Go to Links menu to connect with the web site)

Native American Rehab Center
Indigenous Path
www.stopyouraddiction.com (Go to Links menu to connect with the web site)

Red Road to Wellbriety in the Native American Way
www.whitebison.org (Go to Links menu to connect with the web site)