1^st Mount Waverley Cub Scouts

Scouting Prayers & Inspiration

One of the three aspects of the Cub Scout Promise is "Duty to My God". This page contains a collection of Scouting Prayers and Inspiring thoughts from a number of sources.

See also the separate page containing the Cub Scout Promise, Law, Prayer and Grace and the Scout Laws.

O lord, we now realise the ability to never give up from your story.
We thank you for this ability, and we pray to you that we always,
like the many other privileges that you have given us,
never lose the life of you in the advancing of the human race,
Amen
   - Zac S

Dear God, thank you for this lovely day. I hope the next is the same.
Please guard me and my family through the night,
Amen
   -

Thank you God for giving us food, friends and water and thank you for giving us life,
Amen
   - by Ryan G

Dear God, please help me and the other Cub Scouts to keep our Promise
by helping us to be loyal and obedient,
Amen
   - by James D

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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.
0, Akela, make of me an Eagle!

   - by Harlan Metcalf, adapted by Merl Whitebook

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Dear God, as we sit by the campfire watching the flicker of the firelight on the faces around us, may we be aware of thy presence within our circle of friends.
As we feel the warmth of the fire on our bodies, may our hearts be warmed with love for each other and for thee.
Familiar faces glow with a strange radiance by firelight.
May we learn to see the hidden wonder in each human life and seek to understand each other as thou dost understand us.
As we gaze into the fire at the center of our circle, help us to know that it is the light of thy truth which saves mankind from darkness.
May that truth shine forth from our lives.
When we turn from the dying embers to face the blackness at our backs, may the night around us be bright because thy Spirit burns within our hearts.
Amen.

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The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you
And give you peace.

   - Numbers 6:24-26

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�We all dream of great deeds and high positions, away from the pettiness and humdrum of ordinary life. Yet success is not occupying a lofty place or doing conspicuous work; it is being the best that is in you. Rattling around in too big a job is worse than filling a small one to overflowing. Dream, aspire by all means; but do not ruin the life you must lead by dreaming pipe dreams of the one you would like to lead. Make the most of what you have and are. Perhaps your trivial, immediate task is your one sure way of proving your mettle. Do the thing near at hand, and great things will come to your hand to be done.� - Douglas Malloch

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley-but be
The best little scrub by the side of the hill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.

If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass-
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew,
There's something for all of us here,
There's big work to do, and there's lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.

If you can't be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun be a star;
It isn't by size that you win or you fail-
Be the best of whatever you are!

   - by Douglas Malloch

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Blessed are the Cub 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 Cub Scouts who are led with patience and understanding,
for they will learn the strength of endurance and the gift of tolerance.

Blessed are the Cub 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 Cub 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 Cub 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 Cub 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.

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Dear Lord, bless my leaders, who spend their time and energy to help me grow up well.
Guide them in their work; give them patience and wisdom, and reward them in this life and in the next.
Help them to live the Scout Law in their lives, so that I may learn by their example.
Amen.

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A man whispered, "God, speak to me."
And a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear .

So the man yelled, "God, speak to me!"
And the thunder rolled across the sky.
But the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you."
And a star shone brightly.
But the man did not notice.

And the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle!"
And a new life was born,
But the man did not recognise it.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know You are here!"
Whereupon God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and he walked on.

Don't miss out on God's blessing because it wasn't packaged the way that you expected it to be.

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A brave heart and a courteous tongue - They will take you far through the jungle"

   - The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling

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"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 humour 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 Leader who knew him, will dare to whisper, `I have not lived in vain.'"

   - based on a work by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, " A Prayer for a Son"

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I'd rather see a lecture than hear one any day.
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely point the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear.
And best of all the teachers are the men who live their creed.
For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it if you let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
For I may understand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

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You must educate those children
You must love those children
You must do all you can to protect and nurture those children and,
You must remember; there is only one thing a child owes you: Nothing!
A child does not owe you respect.
A child does not owe you gratitude.
Those things are gifts the child chooses to give, so long as you deserve them.

   - Nelson Mandela

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Oh Heavenly Father, you see your children gathered here before you.
Scout leaders and scouts alike have joined us in your house of worship.

In prayer we ask thy blessings upon this assembly and that You would help to open the hearts and souls of all to Your light of hope, love, peace and harmony.

As young people we face times that are tough, challenging, and sometimes pretty difficult when we try to go it alone. Sometimes our steps are unsure and our pace uneven. And there are things that we have done that we regret or wish we could undo, but cannot. Strengthen us as we try our best to do what you would have us to do and forgive us when we falter and make mistakes.

"As leaders we sometimes find it difficult to do all the things that in our hearts we know we should do and we too find that we have made mistakes on our path and that there are things we would have done differently on reflection. Strengthen us as we try our best to do what you would have us to do and forgive us when we falter and make mistakes.

As a faithful community we share your love especially for these wonderful children and the adults who give of their time and resources to help them grow and development. We also know that there are times when we could have done more to help and times when we have made mistakes. Strengthen us as we try our best to do what you would have us to do and forgive us when we falter and make mistakes.

We thank you for Your forgiveness and for the strength of Your hand as you guide us to a better life in your kingdom. We thank you for the blessing of this life and for all the wonderful opportunities we share with these young people and their leaders and for each time one of these young individuals overcomes difficulty and adversity to grow, develop, help others, and become a better person. We thank you for the blessings of the generousity of spirit that so many share in making possible opportunities for these Scouts to grow in character, citizenship, and in fitness for life as future adults in the years to come.

Be with each Scout and leader as they try to be prepared to meet the challenges of life. Reach out your hand to guide each Scout and leader to become trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent in their daily lives.

For all of these things we give you thanks and praise.
Amen

   - Submitted by Dale Kelly � 1996-2002 Nova Scotia Scouts, Canada

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If you woke up this morning with more health than illness you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are more blessed than 3 billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish somewhere you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you hold your head up with a smile on your face and are truly thankful you are blessed because the majority can but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder you are blessed, because you can offer a healing touch.

If you can read this script, you have just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you and furthermore you are more blessed than 2 billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

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Courage is ...
Asking unpopular questions
Listening to difficult answers
Taking responsibility where it is yours
Resisting peer pressure
Helping your neighbour
Saving life
Accepting death
Fighting back
Refusing to use violence
Choosing to be brave and to do the brave thing
Asking for help when you need it
Being bold where boldness is required
Giving up unrealistic expectations
Keeping hope alive
Carrying on when weary
Knowing when to let go
Standing up to be counted even when you stand alone
Persevere with what you know to be true
Taking a leap of faith and trusting the Lord will help you

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Look down upon this child, Dear Lord.
This smiling Cub of mine.
Please take his hand along the way
So he may never stray.
Bless my Cub tonight, Dear Lord,
And help him walk with thee.
Give him comfort, warmth, and love:
He's all the world to me.
Bless his daily efforts,
And make him strong and true:
For life's a heavy burden.
And we're all in need of you.

   - from Pack #122, USA

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O Lord,
Teach me to be humble and good,
To imitate Your example,
To love You with all my heart,
And to follow the way that will lead me closer to You.
Amen.

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(tune: O Tannenbaum)

Lord, in this evening hour I pray,
For strength to do my best each day.
Draw near to me that I may see,
The kind of Cub that I should be.

In serving other, let me see,
That I am only serving Thee.
Bless me, Oh Lord, in Thy great love,
That I may be a better Cub.

   - Southeastern Massachusetts Cluster Council Pow Wow 1997

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Lord, in this evening hour I pray for strength to do my best each day.
Draw near to me that I may see the kind of Cub Scout I should be.
In serving others, let me see that I am only serving thee.
Bless me, oh Lord, in thy great love, that I may be a better Cub.

   - from Pack #133, USA

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Dear Lord
   I'm proud to say, so far today
   I've got along all right;
   I have not gossiped, whined or bragged,
   Or had a single fight.

   I haven't lost my temper once,
   Or criticized my mate,
   I have not lied, I have not cried,
   Or loudly cursed my fate.

   So far today I've not one time
   Been grumpy or morose,
   I've not been spiteful, cold or vain,
   Self-centered or verbose.

   But, Lord, I'm going to need Your help
   Throughout the hours ahead,
   So give me strength, Dear Lord, for now
   I'm getting out of bed.

   - By John Baker

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Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak the truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself to others you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery.
but let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself, especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is a perennial as the grass
Take kindly the counsel of the years gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself
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 labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace with your soul.
With all its shams, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful, strive to be happy.

   - Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

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They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

   - From the poem "For The Fallen" by Laurence Binyon (1869-1943).

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Dear Father of all, we thank thee for the many blessings and much happiness which Thou hast granted us. (Pause to think of these and to realize how well off you are compared with many others.)

Therefore shall we render our thanks by working in Thy cause and by doing that which is the truest service to Thee.

To this end, Oh God, help us by developing in us less of care for self and more of care for others.

Strengthen in us that love that binds us each and all to Thee, that through this brotherhood of Scouts, which under Thy good care has spread across the world, we may help to bring about the spirit of goodwill and peace between the nations.

So may Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,
Amen

   - written by Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Gilwell.
     From the book "Baden-Powell, A Family Album" by his daughter, Heather Baden-Powell.

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The Lord said,
"freely, freely, you have received;
freely, freely, give
Go in my name and because you believe
others will know that I live"

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Be thou a bright flame before me
Be thou a guiding star above me
Be thou a smooth path below me
And be a kindly shepherd behind me
Today, tonight and forever

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All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither
Deep roots are not reached by the frost

   - Lord of The Rings, J.R.R. Tolkein

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Hold on to what is good,
Even if it's a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe,
Even if it's a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do,
Even if it's a long way from here.
Hold on to your life,
Even if it's easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand,
Even if I've gone away from you.

   - A Pueblo Indian Prayer

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I am the whisper of wind in the top of the oak and pine,
I am the first curl of smoke of a campfire,
I am the crunch of gravel under a hiking boot,
I am the splash of light on a canoe paddle.
I have walked the surface of the Moon,
I have worked in the Oval Office,
I have heard the call of the Eagle,
I have breathed life into another's lungs.
My honour hovers over Arlington and The Tomb,
My courage has been tested in battle, flood, fire and storm,
My skills are basic and have prepared many for life and service
My vision is clear and undimmed by the passage of time.
You can see me in parents' pride-filled eyes at an award ceremony.
You can smell me in a cup of fire-brewed coffee,
You can hear me in the silence of a snow-covered forest,
You can feel me, carefully, on the edge of a fresh-sharpened axe.
I have been told of your past by my kindred,
I walk and breathe in the present,
I can only dream of your tomorrows,
I am... The Scouting Spirit... pass me on...

   - James DeReign 1985

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I am not a very important person. as importance is commonly rated.
I do not have great wealth, control a big business or occupy a position of great honour or authority.
Yet Lord, I may some day mould destiny. For it is within my power to become the most important person in the world in the life of a child.
All about me are children, Lord. They are the makers of history and the builders of tomorrow.
If by being faithful to the aims of Scouting and your laws, I can become their true friend and leader, I may one day prove to be the most important person in their lives.
Lord, a hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank balance was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.

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I believe in the light - even when the sun doesn't shine
I Believe in love - even when it isn't given
I believe in God - even when his voice is silent

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If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you.
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none to much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

   - Rudyard Kipling

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If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you want to win but think you can't
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, your lost;
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellows will;
It's all in a state of mind.
Life's battles don't always go to the Stronger and faster man
But sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks that he can.

   - Rudyard Kipling



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Two boys, strangers to each other but both aged 10 were moved to the same side ward of a general hospital. Simon, placed by the only window was the most active. Although like Martin he was confined to bed. At first Martin was very depressed but Simon succeeded in cheering him up. As he gained in strength Martin was daily entertained by his new friend who brightened each day with vivid descriptions of what he could see from the window alongside the bed. Through the spring and into early summer Simon told Martin of the daffodils coming out in the park across the street, told him about the other children playing on the swings and roundabout. He spoke about the old and the young people who passed in the street below.

The sad day came when the boys were parted. Simon was discharged and Martin asked to be moved to the bed by the window but the Nurse would not permit it. She gave good reasons but that did not stop Martin asking again and again. One day a new nurse was put on the ward Martin seized the opportunity and asked again. He was moved. With eager anticipation Martin looked out of the window. He Iooked and he looked again, in stunned disbelief. There was nothing there but a blank brick wall and a shabby yard with a row of rubbish bins.

For two months Simon had worked hard, every day, hour by hour, to enliven his friends day with the help only of his vivid imagination.

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I said a prayer for you today and I know God must have heard,
I felt the answer in my heart although He spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame, I knew you wouldn't mind,
I asked Him to send you treasures of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He'd be near you at the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share the way.
I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small,
But it was for His loving care I asked for most of all.

   - Frank Zamboni

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Lord, is it worth it?

Am I really doing something useful?
Or am I wasting my time
and breaking my heart in the process?
Week after week I rack my brain for ideas;
I spend hours preparing programmes;
My family regard me as a lodger because I�m hardly ever in;
And when I get down to Pack meetings I find that many boys are away
Because it�s a bad evening,
Or because there�s a school play on,
Or because there�s a bug of some sort going around,
And so the Sixes are unbalanced and all my plans go right up the chute.
Lord, is it worth it

I spend years with these boys
Trying to train them
And interest them
And keep them keen
And when they reach 12 or 13
they leave,
and all my hopes that they would go up to Venturers
and become Queen�s Scouts
are dashed,
and I feel a hopeless sense of failure.
Lord, is it worth it?

Then there�s the difficult boy
On whom I spend more hours than on all the rest put together
I struggle with him,
I try to understand him,
I try to love him,
And then after a year he leaves the Troop having made no response
And I feel heart-broken
Because I have failed a child whom You love
Lord, is it worth it?

* * *

Son I know how you feel;
I know the sense of failure and sorrow that you feel.
I felt like that once
When one of my friends betrayed me in a garden
And the other eleven ran away.
But as I look back now I know it was all worthwhile
In spite of what I may have thought at the time.
And so also will you, if you keep at it.
The fact that you feel as you do means that your giving it your heart,
And it shows that you really care
And that you want the best for your boys.

Every now and again your plans will backfire completely -
But don�t you think that it might be a good thing, really?
It tests your versatility as a Scout,
And makes more of a man of you, doesn�t it?
And just because most of your boys leave at 12 or 13,
It doesn�t mean to say you�ve failed;
You�ve had three years
during which you�ve made a tremendous impression on these boys,
And Scouting has left its mark on them,
Or they wouldn�t have stayed so long.

You mustn�t think, son, that they�re entirely dependant on you
For the preparation for their life ahead:
I�ve used you for part of their training,
But I also have others who have their parts to play
In the training of these boys.
As for the special boy with whom you try so hard -
Well, you do influence him,
Even though you may not realise it -
I wouldn�t trust you with him if I thought you were going to fail!
Keep at it, son
Keep at it.
These boys need you
And I need you because these boys need you.
It�s hard
It�s frustrating,
And sometimes it�s bitterly disappointing,
But I want you to keep at it.
It may break your heart,
But that�s what I want you for.
I broke my heart because I loved you
And because I love these boys:
Surely you can allow your heart to be broken with mine
For some of my children whom we both love.

* * *

Yes, Lord, I�ll try.

   - from Kristen Ottoson, UK Scouter Magazine. Australian Scout Magazine Dec 1984

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One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream,
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul,
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame a goal.

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room,
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer doom.

One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer,
One hope will raise your spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true
One life can make a difference,
You see, it' s up to YOU!

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I dreamed I went to Heaven and saw among the dead
An angel dressed in khaki, a halo 'round his head
And he looked kind of funny, midst all the glaring white
The others asked him jealously, What gave him such a right?

(He answered)
I'm a Cub Scout Leader and I lay no hold to fame,
But being such a person means more than just a name.
My jobs on earth are many, Praises and thanks are few,
I did more work in one day than ten people ought to do.
I've been a nurse, a tin can cooker, A hiker, a pathfinder,
I've also been artist, A sailor and a bookbinder.
I taught boys to dance, I taught parrots to sing,
I made saints out of hoodlums while mama had her fling!
I walked the streets 'till my feet felt like a ton of brick,
Helping to sell popcorn 'till the mere thought made me sick.
But still it was a lot of fun, Life was never a bore.
See, this role isn't new to me "I've been an angel before."

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"Now this is the Law of the Jungle-
as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper,
but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk
the Law runneth forward and back-
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf,
and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

   - The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling

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If young people live with:
   Criticism, they learn to condemn
   Hostility, they learn to fight
   Ridicule, they learn to feel shy
   Shame, they learn to feel guilt
   Tolerance, they learn to be patient
   Encouragement, they learn confidence
   Praise, they learn to appreciate
   Fairness, they learn justice
   Security, they learn to have faith
   Approval, they learn to like themselves
   Acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in the world

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A little more kindness, a little less creed;
A little more giving, a little less greed;
A little more smile, a little less frown;
A little less kicking a man when he's down.
A little more "we", a little less "I";
A little more laugh, a little less cry;
A little more flowers on the pathway of life,
and fewer on graves at the end of the strife.

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Jesus said to his disciples: When you pray, say this:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we also have forgiven those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

   - Traditional Form from Matthew 6:9-13

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I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burnt - but if I have no love, this does me no good.

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

When I was a child, my speech, feelings and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am a man, I have no more use for childish ways. What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete - as complete as God's knowledge of me.

Meanwhile these three remain; faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

   - 1 Corinthians chapter 13

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1. Don't spoil me. I know quite well I ought not have all I ask for - I am only testing you.
2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me, I prefer it. It makes me feel more secure.
3. Don't let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in early stages.
4. Don't make me feel smaller than I already am. It only makes me behave stupidly big.
5. Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it. I will take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.
6. Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins, it upsets my sense of values.
7. Don't be upset when I say 'I hate you' It isn't you I hate but your power to thwart me.
8. Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
9. Don't take too much notice of my small ailments - I am quite capable of trading on them.
10. Don't nag. If you do I will protect myself by appearing deaf.
11. Don't make rash promises. Remember I feel badly let down when promises are broken.
12. Don't forget that I can't explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I am not very accurate.
13. Don't tax my honesty too much - I am easily frightened into telling lies.
14. Don't be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.
15. Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
16. Don't tell me that my fears are silly. They are terribly real to me and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
17. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too much of a shock when I discover that you are neither.
18. Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of understanding and love, but I don't need to tell you that do I ?

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People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
... Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
... Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
... Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
... Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
... Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
... Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
... Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
... Give the world the best you�ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway .

   - Mother Teresa (Inscribed on the wall of her Children�s Home in Calcutta)

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To the World you are only one person
But to one person you may be the World

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For food, for clothing,
For friendship, for fellowship
For life, for opportunity,
We thank thee, O Lord.

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No man goeth about a more godly purpose
than he who is mindful of the right upbringing not only of his own,
but of other men's children.

   - Socrates

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Peace of conscience - is the peace of the past
Peace of character - is the peace of the present
Peace of faith - is the peace of the future.

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People are often unreasonable, illogical,and self-centred; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world your best, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and GOD. It was never between you and them anyway.

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God saw you getting tired, He did what he thought best;
He put His arms around you, And said,"Come and rest."
He opened up His golden gates, On that heartbreaking day;
And with His arms around you, You gently slipped away.
It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone;
A part of us went with you, The day God called you home.

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We pray for the Children
    who put chocolate fingers everywhere,
    who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants,
    who sneak lollies before dinner,
    who erase holes in maths workbooks,
    who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those
    who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
    who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
    who never "counted potatoes,"
    who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,
    who never go to the circus,
    who live in an X-rated world.

We pray for children
    who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,
    who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
    who sleep with dogs and bury goldfish,
    who cover themselves with band-aids and sing off-key,
    who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink,
    who slurp their soup.

And we pray for those
    who never get dessert,
    who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
    who watch their parents watch them die,
    who can't find any bread to steal,
    who don't have any rooms to clean up,
    whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
    whose monsters are real.

We pray for children
    who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
    who throw tantrums in the supermarket and pick at their food,
    who like ghost stories,
    who shove dirty clothes under the bed,
    who never rinse out the bath,
    who get visits from the tooth fairy,
    who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,
    who squirm in church and scream in the phone,
    whose tears we sometimes laugh at and
    whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those
    whose nightmares come in the daytime,
    who will eat anything,
    who have never seen a dentist,
    who aren't spoiled by anybody,
    who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
    who live and move, but have no being.

We pray for children
    who want to be carried and for those who must,
    who we never give up on
    and for those who don't get a second chance.

For those we smother and . . .
    for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.


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Father, I ask you to bless my friend reading this right now!
Lord, show them a new revelation of Your love and power.
Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.
Where there is pain, give them Your peace & mercy.
Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence
in Your ability to work through them.
Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion,
I ask You to give them understanding, patience, & strength
as they learn submission to Your leading.
Where there is spiritual stagnation,
I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness,
and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You.
Where there is fear, reveal Your love,and release to them Your courage.
Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and
break its hold over my friends' life.
Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise
up leaders, and friends to support, and encourage them.
Give each of them discernment to recognize the demonic
around them, and reveal to them the power they
have in You to defeat it.

I ask You to do these things in Jesus name!
In Christian love, Your Friend in Jesus

Pass this on to anyone you consider a friend ...
a few kind words is a big blessing to others, Amen

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We can't know why the lily has so brief a time to bloom
in the warmth of sunlight's kiss upon its face,

Before it folds its fragrance in and bids the world good-night
to rest its beauty in a gentler place.

But we can know that nothing that is loved is ever lost.

And no one who has ever touched a heart can really pass away,
because some beauty lingers on in each memory of which they've been a part.

   - Ellen Brenneman

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(patron saint of animals and ecology)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
...where there is injury, pardon;
...where there is doubt, faith;
...where there is despair, hope;
...where there is darkness, light;
...where there is sadness, joy;

O 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.

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Teach us Good Lord,
To serve thee as thou deservest
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labour and not to ask for any reward;
Save that of knowing that I do your will.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord,

Amen

   - St. Ignatius Loyola

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Nobody knows what a boy is worth
and the world must wait and see
For every man in an honoured place
is a boy who used to be

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Lord, Just as a rope needs knots to link it with other ropes
So people need friendships to join them with the rest of humanity
Just as a tent cannot stand on its own and needs guy ropes to support it
So people need the support of others, and of God, to help them keep upright
We thank you, Lord, for the friendship and support we receive from those who love us and care about us, and for whom we care and love.

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Dear Lord, from your judgement seat on high,
Look down on a Scouter such as I.
Search me through and find me whole,
Then help me Lord to reach my goal.
Help me Lord to work for Thee,
Guard my homeland - Keep it free.
Help me to work with others and be kind,
Helpful with my hands and mind.
Keep me Lord, both well and strong
To help our growing boys along.
Control my thoughts, keep them right,
Sound, clean weapons for life's fight.
Protect my morals, keep them high,
Grant this to a Scouter such as I.

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With reverence in our hearts,
We, Your many children of many beliefs, United in common purpose,
Gather to offer this, our humble prayer, in Thanksgiving:

As Scouters we are thankful for:
   The many gifts and talents given to our fellow Scouters, and to ourselves;
   The freedom we have to join together and as a team accomplish more than any of us could alone;
   The opportunity to be of service to young people, parents, other Scouters and our community;
   Our joy at seeing so many young people become excited as they grow and able to meet challenges;
   Being reminded by their ceremonies and legends that he who serves his fellows, is of his fellows'
   greatest;
   And most importantly, we are thankful for the gift of knowing that our prayers are heard.

We each in our own way take this moment to silently add our own thanksgivings ...

With thanks in our hearts we offer our prayers and ask that You, the Great Scoutmaster of All Scouts, be with each of us until we meet again.

Amen.

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A Scout is Trustworthy Help us Lord to be people who can be trusted and where other people count on us, strengthen us to be reliable

A Scout is Loyal Lord help us to search for and follow what is right, true and worthy; to be Loyal to our promise, to ourselves and to the people who love and trust us.

A Scout is Helpful Lord, teach us to be useful citizens and be helpful to other people.

A Scout is Friendly As we meet other Scouts we find we have many differences yet our Promise and Law bind us together as one family.

A Scout is Cheerful Lord, we find it easy feel disappointed when things go wrong. We pray for cheerfulness to overcome difficulties and hardships.

A Scout is Considerate Lord, we know how good it feels when people are friendly and considerate to us and how much it hurts when people are thoughtless. Help us to be friendly and considerate to others.

A Scout is Thrifty Lord teach us to look after our possessions and use what we have wisely. Help us to look after other peoples possessions and public property.

A Scout is Courageous Lord, there are times when each of us must be overcome anxiety or fear, especially where we have to do what we have never tried before. Sometimes it take courage to stand up for our friends or our beliefs or to speak the truth or admit we are wrong. So we ask for the gift of inner strength and courage to meet these challenges.

A Scout is Respectful Help us to respect ourselves. We all have strengths and talents - help us to use them to do what we believe is right. Help us to respect each other and treat others as we would wish to be treated.

A Scout Cares for the Environment Lord, it seems that there is great wastefulness in modern living. Help us to conserve our resources and appreciate their beauty.

Lord, as Cub Scouts we have all proved that we all have these talents - help us to develop them and become useful citizens. Sometimes our Promise and Law is difficult to keep but we will do our best.

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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 honour 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.

   - Scouting in New South Wales

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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

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Dear Heavenly Father,
Help to keep my honour 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
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 healthy,
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

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Our Father, make us Trustworthy, for there are those who trust us.
Make us Loyal, for through loyalty we reach our highest ideals.
Teach us to be, Helpful, for through helpfulness do we forget our selfness.
Make us Friendly, for there are so many who need a friend.
Train us in Courtesy, for courtesy is the carpet on life's floor.
Make us kind for kindness is the oil in the cogs of life's machinery.
Insist upon our Obedience, for victory comes only to him who obeys.
Make us Cheerful, for cheerfulness is the green grass among the rocks in the path of life.
Train us in Thrift, for thrifty habits brighten our future.
Make us Brave; brave in the dark and brave in the light; but save us from becoming fakers in bravery.

Help us to be Clean - clean in thoughts, in speech, and in deed. And may we remember that our bodies are Thy holy temples, and that any abuse thereof is to tamper with Thy Great Plans.
Above all, 0 God, help us to be Reverent toward all things which Thou hast made for our enjoyment when we are in Thy great out-of-doors, among the trees, along the streams, and on the Hillsides. May we know it was Thee who made the waters to flow, the trees to reach heavenward, the mountains to endure to all ages.

In all these things we ask that Thou wilt help us. And may we never forget the Scout Oath to which we all have pledged ourselves, so that through Thy help we may live these points of our Scout Law.
Amen

   - Lord Baden-Powell

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Watch over us as we begin this day.
Protect us as we live in your 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.

   - American Indian

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God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The Courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference.

   - Reinhold Niebuhr

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Someone somewhere...
Is very proud of you
Is thinking of you
Is caring about you
Misses you
Wants to talk to you
Wants to be with you
Hopes you are not in trouble
Wants to share things with you
Is thankful for your support
Hopes everything turns out OK
Has confidence in you
Wants you to be happy
Thinks you ARE a gift
Admires your strength
Wants to protect you
Loves you for who you are
Wants to hug you
Treasures your spirit
Wants to be near you
Is there for you
Admires your courage
Would do anything for you
Needs you to have faith in them
Trusts in you.
Someone somewhere...?

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Almighty and ever living God,
By Whose grace thy servants are enabled
To fight the good fight of faith,
And ever prove victorious,

We humbly beseech Thee,
So to inspire us,
That we may yield our hearts to Thy obedience,
And exercise our wills on Thy behalf.

Help us to think wisely,
Speak rightly,
Resolve bravely,
Act kindly,
And live purely.

Bless us in body and in soul,
And make us a blessing to our comrades.
Whether at home or abroad,
May we ever seek the extension of Thy kingdom.

Let the assurance of Thy presence
Save us from sinning,
Strengthen us in life,
And comfort us in death.

Oh Lord our God,
Accept this prayer.
Amen.

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As the old man walked along the beech at dawn he noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally catching up with the youth he asked him why he was doing this.
The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun.
"But the beach goes on for hundreds of kilometres and there are millions of starfish"
asked the old man "How can your efforts make any difference?"
The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then as he threw it into the safety of the waves he replied "It makes a difference to this one!"

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The little boy tried with all his might to move the rock
Try as he might, heave as he would, the rock wouldn't move
His father asked him if he had used all the strength he had and the little boy said he had.
But you can't have done said his father. You never asked me to help.

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Success is speaking words of praise,
In cheering other peoples ways,
In doing just the best you can,
With every task and every plan,
It's silence when your speech would hurt,
Politeness when your neighbour's curt,
It's deafness when the scandal flows,
and sympathy with others woes,
It's loyalty when duty calls,
It's courage when disaster falls,
It's patience when the hours are long.

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Take time to think - it is the source of power
Take time to read - it is the foundation of wisdom
Take time to play - it is the secret of staying young
Take time to be quiet - it is an opportunity to see God
Take time to be aware - it is the opportunity to help others
Take time to love & be loved - it is God's greatest gift
Take time to laugh - it is the music of the soul
Take time to be friendly - it is the road to happiness
Take time to dream - it is what the future is made of
Take time to pray - it is the greatest power on earth
There is a time for everything.

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Think deeply
Speak gently
Love much
Laugh often
Work hard
Give freely
Pay promptly
Pray earnestly
and be kind

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When I was a boy, we were taught to be discrete and respectful to our elders, but the present youth are exceedingly impatient of restraint. They have execrable manners, flout authority, have no respect for their elders. What kind of creatures will they be when they grow up?

   - Hesoid (Greek poet of the 8th century BC)

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May the road rise to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
may the sun shine warm upon your face,
may the rains fall soft upon your field,
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

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Almighty God,
Who has joined us together in the fellowship of this group,
Help us to think fairly, do things bravely, act kindly and to live cleanly.
Bless us in body and soul, And give us strength to keep our promise, So that by the lives we live, we make the lives of others happy.
Amen

   - Troop Prayer written for the ‘old’ 1^st West Ewell Troop, UK

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A true friend is one whom you can tip out the contents of your heart,
chaff and grain together, knowing that the greatest hands will sift it,
keep what is worth keeping and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away
Have you a friend like that?
Someone to whom you can say anything at all.
Are you a friend like that?

A true friend is someone who walks in when everyone else walks out on you and who will stand by you no matter how strong the storm.

A true friend is one who knows us and our faults, but loves us anyway.

   - Fr. Jerome Cummings



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There are four sorts of people in this world.
Those who make things happen,
Those to whom things happen
Those who watch things happening.
and those who don't know what is happening.

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Softly falls the light of day,
While our campfire fades away.
Silently each Scout should ask:
"Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared,
Everything to be prepared?

Quietly we join as one,
Thanking God for Scouting fun,
May we now go on our way.
Thankful for another day.
May we always love and share,
Living in peace beyond compare,
As Scouts may we find,
Friendships true with all mankind.

Quietly we now will part,
Pledging ever in our heart,
To strive to do our best each day,
As we travel down life's way.
Happiness we'll try to give,
Trying a better life to live,
Till all the world
Be joined in love,
Living in peace under skies above.

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Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
At all the times you can
In all the places you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.

   - John Wesley

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Dear God,
Whenever we say, "It's not fair",
We should remember those who have nothing to eat;
Whenever we say, "It's not fair",
We should remember those who sleep in the street;
Whenever we say, "It's not fair",
We should remember those in the middle of a war;
Whenever we say, "It's not fair",
We should remember those who are sick and poor.
Help us to remember how lucky we are
And not to say, "It's not fair."

   - British Cub Scout Owen Shadick for the 4th Barnehurst Pack Prayer Book.
     Thanks to Scouting (UK)magazine.

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This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was everybody's job. Everybody thought anybody would do it but nobody realised that everybody couldn't do it. It ended up that everybody blamed somebody when nobody did what anybody could have done.

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Thank you God for all the trees around us; thank you for the air that we breathe and the water we drink. Thank you that as we grow and get older we can learn more and do harder things. Help us to appreciate the things we have - Our homes, our parents, our brothers, sisters and friends. Help us to be loyal and true to those who love and trust us and make us the kind of people whom our friends may depend on at all times even when things become difficult. Help us to use all that we've learned while working towards the Yellow Cord to make ourselves better Cubs and Scouts.
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A well known speaker started his seminar by holding up a $20 note. In the room of 200 people, he asked, "Who would like this $20 note?"
Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 note to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the twenty dollar note up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It is still worth twenty dollars.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him."

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The young need someone to listen to them. Lord.
Open my ears that much wider so that by talking
to me they may be more willing to listen to you.
Grant them confidence and guidance where they
have a right to expect it.
I really want their world to be better than mine.

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• Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
  Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts.
  And we are never, ever the same.



• Those who carry a flame are never afraid of the dark

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This collection of meditations, readings, prayers and quotes has been compiled over a number of years for personal use. They are made available knowing that while in the majority of cases no credit to the author has been given, it is acknowledged that they may be copyright. If you are aware of the author of any item then please inform the webmaster to ensure that due credit is recorded. This page was last modified on 24/3/2004