A. One adapted African Christian prayer of blessing instructs the person officiating to sprinkle water or another substance such as flour or incense in the four directions of the universe while saying:


Facing east: "For our ancestors of the distant past."
Facing west: "For our recent living dead."
Facing north: "For our living."
Facing south: "For our yet unborn."
B. Among the Sukuma Ethnic Group in Western Tanzania there are a variety of traditional prayers that are used in various Christian ways:

1. Blessing For A Person Going on a Safari -- a Sukuma prayer of blessing.

This blessing is usually given by the grandfather or grandmother of the family. On the day of the safari the one to be blessed, the one to give the blessing, and the rest of the family get up early in the morning. White sorghum is mixed with water. The one giving the blessing puts his/her mouth on the porridge substance and blows on the one being blessed while invoking the ancestors: "Your child is going on a safari. May you be with him/her. Give him/her your blessing and may he/she have a safe journey." The purpose of this prayer is that you may be joyfully welcomed by your hosts.

Then the one receiving the blessing is told: "Walk like the wild pig walks. When you step on ants may they cry out." The noise that ants make when stepped on -- a kind of "yeah" sound -- is similar to the expression of joy that people make when visitors arrive. People are always happy to see visitors. So when guests arrive the host or hostess replies with a joyful "yeah" sound. From this custom comes the Sukuma proverb Walk like the wild pig walks.

2. Request to the Sun - a Sukuma prayer to the "Sun," one of the many Sukuma names for God. When coming outdoors for the first time in the early morning, the local dance leader spits a thin porridge made of millet toward the still red sun and says: "God who turns, the major divinity Sita is getting up. You, O Sun, go nicely and leave me in peace, give me a blessing."

3. Sukuma Prayer to Ask for Rain - an African Christian Prayer adapted to the Sukuma language and context. Drawing on local images from the life of the Sukuma people, the prayer says in part: "We ask you, Father, send us rain that provides food for ourselves and grass and water for our cattle."

4. Look On Your Child and Heal Him/Her -- a Sukuma prayer for healing. A Sukuma proverb says The guest brings benefits to the family of the host. When a child is born the Sukuma say "A guest has come." "She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The Hebrew and Aramaic forms of "Jesus" and "he will save" are similar. Jesus as guest comes to heal here and now. For Africans a God who saves tomorrow is not a saving God. In the following Sukuma prayer for healing, Look On Your Child and Heal Him/Her, the here and now is stressed:

"So and so (name of deceased ancestor), look on your child and heal him/her. When? Today. May your child give birth. When? Today. May the rain come. When? Today. May our cows give birth? When? Today. May we have well-being both in body and soul. When? Today. May all that is bad in our lives be thrown into the lake and be eaten by the crocodiles. May we live in peace. And may you God please help us."

A Christian version of this prayer is: "May Jesus Christ our ancestor and healing guest who 'is able for all time to save those who approach God through him' (Hebrews 7:25) heal us soul and body. When? Today."

5. Prayer Service To Drive Away Evil Spirits -- Sukuma prayer service. Some parishes in Sukumaland in Western Tanzania have developed local ceremonies. This service includes the laying on of hands by the presider and members of the sick person's family or close friends and church leaders. Holy waters and blessings are used. Here is where the Christian churches can touch the felt needs and desires of the people on the local level.