extract adapted from in the book 'Walk in Spirit - Prayers for the seasons of life' by Lynn V. Andrews, ISBN 0-9650958-0-0

Great Father, when a child begins
On the trail toward adulthood,
Prayers are needed.
Reaching the great gateway of puberty, dear child,
Your universe is like a wilderness.
You look across the vast expanse of your life to come,
And you see only uncharted territory,
Full of challenges and excitement.
You are becoming, like a seed that has been planted
Into rich earth, beginning to grow.
You are fecund with all possibilities.
You will blossom soon,
Your branches reaching up toward the sky.
You cannot imagine the days not being long
And full of joy.
The pains of older people are hard to understand
When you are so busy trying to comprehend
The changes in your own body.

Great Father, lend your wisdom
To the path of all young people.
Help them be strong.
Help them to relax into the changes
In moods, knowing always that it is you
Who are helping them to grow
And to become full in this life.
You have begun the process of preparing their bodies.
Help them to understand your grace.
Help them to grow straight and strong,
Like giant trees,
Pure in purpose and singular on their path
Toward your likeness and your radiance.

Thankyou, Great Father,
For watching over this rite of passage,
All those who reach this age,
May you be clear of purpose,
Remembering that yours is a path of heart,
And when troubles are upon you,
Do not forget Mother Earth
And how she supports you and gives you life.
Remember to heal her and to let her wisdom be yours.
Walk your path knowing too that the Great Mother
Has her hand on your back, giving you
Encouragement and blessings every step of the way.

For a boy reaching puberty,
you are looking toward parenthood, union,
And making acts of power in the world.
It is at this point in your life that
Accomplishment is important.
You are building the foundation of your spirit lodge,
The lodge of your spirit in physical totality.
As a boy, you look across the sacred wheel,
And you see the gateway to the higher spirit life
Directly across from you.

Know the positions on the sacred wheel, young ones.
Know that this is the time of physicality,
Your time to get your act together
So that when the great gateway of spirit
Is upon you in mid-life, you will be ready.
You will have done the building of
Your sacred foundations.
The Great Father wishes you great courage and
Will be praying for you all the days of your life.