Cherokee Legend (Portals of Prayer)

Cherokee Legend

“We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

There is a Cherokee legend about Indian boys’ rite of passage into manhood. It goes like this:

A father takes his son into the forest, blindfolds him and then leaves him alone. The boy si required to sit on a stump for the entire night without removing the blindfold—not until the first rays of the morning sun shine through it. The boy also cannot cry out for help. Then, as tradition goes, having survived the night, he is a man.

Naturally, the boy is terrified as he sits exposed to the elements and every sort of forest creature. He hears all kinds of sounds and noises in the forest. He suspects that wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. Yet, even though the wind blows over the grass and earth and shakes the tree stump, he still sits stoically, never removing the blindfold.

Finally, after an intensely terrifying night, the sun appears and he removes his blindfold. It is then that the boy discovers his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been with him the entire night, watching over him and protecting his son from harm.

“We, too, are never alone. We don’t have to see our heavenly Father to know that He is there. God is always watching over us and protecting us even when we forget. Whenever we feel anxious, scared or isolated, we can always have the peace and comfort of knowing that our heavenly Father is with us and knows just exctly what we need. We never have to be apprehensive about tomorrow because He is watching over us both day and night.

If we could see everything with our natural eyes, we wouldn’t call it faith. Faith is knowing, believing, and trusting in the promises that God has bestowed upon us according to His precious Word.

(Dear Lord, grant us faith this day. Help our faith to blossom and grow strong so that we remain unwavering in your Word and in all that we do and say. Holy Spirit, bring faith to those who lack and restore faith to those who have turned away so that they may see you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.)

Cathy Benzler
Port Angeles, Washington




Portals of Prayer