Prayer

In both Christianity and Anishinaabe spirituality, prayer is a means of spiritual communication. Both Christian and Ojibwe people use prayer as a means of spiritual communication. In Ojibwe spirituality, prayer is often considered a pathway for communication with the Creator, Kitchi Manitou. Prayers often require material means, such as the smoke from burning the sacred medicines of tobacco and sage, to find their way to the Creator.

In Anglicanism, prayer also require material forms to properly address God. The Book of Common Prayer is an Anglican ritual manual that outlines the words to use in prayers for various circumstances, as well as how to conduct rituals such as baptism and communion. In 1889, an Ojibwe translation of the Book of Common Prayer was published. The “high church” version of Anglicanism also makes use of smoke as a channel to God when burning incense during prayers.