Prayer—-madmowen, dodaskewen, dotmowen, najdowen, nokanawen, etc. (Bodewadmimwen inspired)
What is it?
Prayer is seeking
Prayer is worship
Prayer is praising the Powers that be
Prayer is meditating and reflecting
Prayer can be deep introspection
Prayer is intercession, interceding for somebody or something
Prayer is travailing or asking for somebody else or something to happen
Prayer is maintenance in one’s life
Prayer is thoughtful
Prayer is heartfelt asking
Prayer is inclusive of all
Prayer is never exclusive
Prayer is compassionate
Prayer is gentle
Prayer is faithful
Prayer is pervading strength of purpose
Prayer is from the heart
Prayer is grounding or centering
Prayer is seeking guidance when needed
Prayer is enlightening
Prayer is wisdom activated
Prayer is wisdom, understanding, knowledge and prudence in all
Prayer is gratifying….
In the English language, prayer is largely defined by the idea of asking. In old English one could say, either to God or to anyone else: “I pray thee to do such and such.” The basic concept here is heart-felt request. The Jewish concept of prayer, however, is best defined by its Hebrew word “tfilia” (תפילה).
The primary meaning of the verb “lehitpalel” (להתפלל), the verb behind the noun, is self-judgement or introspection. Especially in Jewish Hassidic traditions, tfilia is understood to be an introspection that results in bonding between the creature and the Creator, as a child would bond with his/her father.
It is not a surprise that when the Jewish Christ was asked by his disciples how they should pray, he taught them what to request, making sure to address their Heavenly King as “Our Father” (Matt. 6:9). Shortly before that Jesus warned them to avoid using vain repetitions that characterized pagan approaches to prayer (Matt. 6:7).
In Isaiah we find a curious text: “… these I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in the house of my prayer” (וְשִׂמַּחְתִּים בְּבֵית תְּפִלָּתִי). Note the wording: not “my house of prayer”, but “the house of my prayer.” (Isaiah 56:7; Barachot 7A) But how is it possible for God to engage in prayer? And with whom?
The answer lies in understanding that Hebrew prayer is not only a “request-making session.” It is a communal bonding between God and his child. The house of “his prayer” is, therefore, where God himself engages in introspection and in so doing bonds deeply with his people. They in turn reciprocate this action in their own prayers and bond with Him.
Hau Mesho,
Oh Grandfather
Odo pi ébyayak
At this time we come
Éndodmoyak i jitmowen
We ask for this help
Mine I zhawendagsewen ge ninan shote ednesyak
And this blessing upon us who live here
Énizhopamséwat se ode Aki
As they walk together on this Earth
Nizhokmoyak émnozhewébsiyak ode nwézhobmadsewen
Help us to live this long life
Nizhokmoshek jayék gé ninan
Help all of us
Nishokmoshek épandewébniyak
Help us as we search
I géte myéwen
For the true way
Mine i débwéwen
And the truth
Mine i bémadsewen
And the way of life
Gin se mteno éje penmoyak odo pi
You alone we depend on at this time
Ahau, Migwéch.
Ho, thank you
Iw énajmoyak odo pi
That is all we say at this time
A General Prayer.
Hau nmeshomes
Oh my Grandfather
Mine gi meshomsenanek
And all of our grandfathers
Mine Mamogosnan eshe ne kasyen gego
And Creator as you are also known
Mine o Nokmeskignan
And our Grandmother Earth
E bya ygo ngom
So we come today
Ebgednegoygo ode sema
To put down our tobacco
Mine anet se ode wisnewen
And some of this food
Ik she gwien ekedgoygo
To say thank you
Mine ode kigdowen nake ode madwomen
And this talk or our prayers
Emno widoktadwiygo jayek se ninan
That we may all interact well together all of us
Mine eminangoygo i mnobmadsewen
And we may receive this good life
Ewi mnomajishkaygo mine ewi
That we may be healthy and
Ni zhokmagomen jayek
We may receive the health/help we all need
Pene shna emnobmadziygo
That we always live good lives
Ewi pamseygo se ode kiwen
As we walk about this Earth
Mine ewi mno wdabjetoygo
And that we use in a good way
Jayek gi nozhownen emingoygo
All those gifts we’ve been given
I ye i endotmoygo ngom
That is what we ask of you today
Pene shna emno widoktadwiygo
That we always live well together
Epa bmadziygo shote
Where we live about here
Gego wnikeken gode pwagnen
Don’t forget these pipes
Ewi nizhokmagoygo epenmoygo gi
That we depend on to help us
Ibe pi ebodyego gi pwagnen
When we fill them those pipes
Mine engemwiygo gode gemwenen enajdoygo
And as we sing these songs all of us asking
Gnizhokmagejek ewi byewat shote ednesyego
These powers to come here where we live
Enizhokmagomen emneseygo
To help us in things we need
Ode bmadsewen
Of this life
I ye i wa je penmoygo pene
That is why we depend always
Shna i mendowen etoyen
On this spiritual power you have
Ibe ednesyen
There where you are
Iw enajmoyan…..
That is all I have to say…….
Énagdewendemyan 