Oh Great Scoutmaster of us all, help me to Build a Scout, 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, I have not lived in
vain for here beside us stands a true Eagle.

<Name of Eagle.>

May the lord bless you and keep you.
May he cause his countenance to shine down upon you.
May the lord grant you the greatest gift of all - -
Peace.

Amen
 

***********************     **********************     **************

 Today I Am An Eagle
 

Today I Am An Eagle
The Old Ones tell of the nest
Of the sacred bird called the Eagle
Home for her eaglets sits high,
Touching the sky.
A mother sits proud and defiant,
She has little ones who will soon leave her,
She worries;
The morning has come,
The Mysterious One's rays warm her children's faces.
Today one will fly or fall:
A flap of wings, a screech of power,
He leaps, he is gone.
His head does not look back
There is sadness behind.
He flies east his wings flapping power,
He passes his cousins of the air,
HE HAS BECOME AN EAGLE.

(-- Howard Rainer, Taos-Creek, 1977 )
 

Oh great scoutmaster of us all,
may it be thy will to guide us in peace
and to bring us in peace to our destination
from this Eagle Court of Honor.
Deliver us from accidents and enemies along our way
And bless the works of our hands
Hear our voice O Lord who hears all prayers.

Amen