How to Write a Native American Wedding Prayer

Native Americans often use prayers and poetry as a way to express their respect for nature and to explore universal themes. A wedding also inspires this form of writing. Follow these steps to come up with your own wedding prayer or poem.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pens
• White Paper

1. Decide on a subject you want to write about that in some way relates to nature and Mother Earth, which is viewed as being alive and the mother of all living things.
2. Write in free verse, which means that your verses will not rhyme.
3. Remember to include symbols of nature such as birds, trees, plants, grass and streams, since according to Native American beliefs, they are the way to communicate with Mother Earth.
4. Dig beneath the surface of your topic to explore the deeper meaning and spirituality in your theme.
5. Consider how your ideas relate to the universe as a whole.
6. Bridge differences in religious and cultural beliefs by focusing on themes that relate to all people of all times.
7. Be as vivid as you can in your words and descriptions.
8. Use sensory language (words that call on your sight, smell, touch, and vision to conjure up images) to add depth and meaning to your piece.

Tips & Warnings

• Share your poem with family and friends.
• Write a Native American poem or prayer for a special occasion.
• Read Native American poetry for ideas. You can find some samples online or in a bookstore.