Scout Law Prayer

Guiding Scouts Towards Integrity and Faith

Prayer type: reflection, group prayer
Best for: older Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA
When to use: Scout meeting, Scout’s Own service, campfire
Themes: Scout Law, integrity, service, leadership, courage, reverence

The Scout Law gives Scouts a simple guide for how to live each day. It teaches us how to treat other people and how to make good choices. Many Scouts learn the law by memory early in their journey. But learning the words is only the first step. The real goal is to live those words in everyday life.

Prayer can help Scouts remember what the law really means. When we pray, we pause and think about how we are living. We ask for help when it is hard to do the right thing. The Scout Law Prayer connects each point of the law with real situations that Scouts may face.

This prayer reminds us that the Scout Law is not only for meetings or campouts. It applies at school, at home, and with friends. Sometimes others may not act with honesty or kindness. The prayer asks God to help Scouts choose a better path, even when it is difficult.

It also reminds us that Scouts can make a difference in the world around them. Each point of the Scout Law becomes a way to serve others. When Scouts try to live these values every day, they become good examples for others. This prayer encourages Scouts to keep trying and to grow in character.

Many Scout units like to include short prayers during meetings, campouts, and special events. These prayers help Scouts pause and think about the values they are learning. The Scout Law Prayer grew from this simple tradition. Leaders wanted a prayer that connects faith with the twelve points of the Scout Law. The result is a prayer that follows the law line by line and asks for help living it.

The format of the prayer is easy to follow. It begins by asking God to bless the people who guide Scouts. Then it moves through each point of the Scout Law. Each part names a challenge that Scouts may see in the world. After that, it asks for help to choose the better path. This pattern makes the prayer easy for Scouts to understand.

The prayer is often used during Scout meetings, courts of honor, and campfire programs. Some units also include it in Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath services. Leaders may read it aloud, or they may invite Scouts to take turns reading each section. Because the prayer follows the Scout Law in order, it also helps younger Scouts remember the points of the law.

This prayer is closely tied to the character goals of Scouting. The Scout Law teaches values such as honesty, kindness, and courage. The prayer turns those values into a quiet moment of reflection. It reminds Scouts that the law is not only something to recite. It is a guide for daily life. When Scouts pray these words, they are asking for help to live the Scout Law each day.

Dear Lord,

Bless everyone around the world who shapes the lives of Scouts. Help us to not forget what they teach us and to use it every day.

When others aren’t being honest, help us be the ones who are always Trustworthy.
If people around us aren’t sticking by their friends or what they believe in, help us be Loyal.
When it seems like people are focused on material goods and money, help us look for ways to be Helpful.
And when someone’s feeling low, help us be the first to step up and be Friendly.

If people are being rude or mean, help us show them how to be Courteous.
When appearing tough seems like being unkind, help us choose to be Kind instead.
Even when it feels like no one follows the rules, help us be the ones who do, being Obedient.
And if everyone’s grumpy or complaining, help us keep a smile and stay Cheerful.

When those around us are being wasteful, help us be smart and Thrifty.
When facing scary situations or being tempted to take the easy way out, help us be Brave and do the right thing.
If we see litter and pollution everywhere, help us keep ourselves and our places Clean.
And even when people forget to think about what’s really important, help us remember to be Reverent.

So, in a world that’s always saying we need better heroes, show us how to be those heroes. Help us be real Scouts.

Amen.

The Scout Law

Discover the profound significance of the Scout Law Prayer and how it intertwines with the core values of Scouting. This prayer is a powerful reflection on the Scout Law, guiding Scouts to embody qualities such as trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, and more in their everyday lives.

By exploring the Scout Law further, Scouts and leaders alike are reminded of their commitment to these timeless principles, encouraging them to be the positive change-makers our world needs. Dive into the essence of what it means to be a Scout and how the Scout Law continues to inspire and shape individuals for the better.

How the Scout Law Relates to the Ten Commandments

Explore the fascinating intersection between the Scout Law and the Ten Commandments as interpreted by a group of Scouts. Delving into how the 12 points of the Scout Law Prayer align with these biblical commandments offers a unique perspective on living a life of integrity and faith. From being Trustworthy, which echoes the commandments against stealing and lying, to Reverent, reflecting devotion to God, these young Scouts demonstrate a deep understanding of how Scouting principles and spiritual values intertwine.

Their reflections highlight the relevance of the Scout Law in guiding moral and ethical behavior, revealing the profound impact of Scouting on developing character and fostering a strong moral compass in young individuals.

A Scout’s Prayer by Lord Baden-Powell

A Scout’s Prayer, often attributed to Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, reflects the intertwining of faith and the foundational principles of Scouting. Though there is some debate over whether Baden-Powell wrote the entire prayer, its essence captures the spiritual dimension he deemed integral to the Scouting experience.

Like the Scout Law Prayer, this mirrors the Scout Law through a lens that transcends any specific faith, making it universally applicable to Scouts worldwide. It serves as a reminder of Scouting’s aim to foster moral strength and character, encouraging Scouts to live out the values they pledge to uphold.

More Prayers and Graces

If you are looking for other prayers to use with Scouts, take a look at my Prayers and Graces page. It includes short prayers for meetings, campouts, courts of honor, and everyday Scouting activities.

You will also find simple meal graces and reflections that work well for Scouts Own services. These prayers are easy to read and work well for youth and leaders.

What is the Scout Law Prayer?

The Scout Law Prayer is a short prayer that walks through the twelve points of the Scout Law. Each part connects a point of the law with a real situation Scouts might face. The prayer asks for help to choose the right action. Many units use it to help Scouts think about how to live the law each day.

Who wrote the Scout Law Prayer?

There is no single known author. The prayer grew from the tradition of Scout leaders writing prayers for meetings and campouts. Different versions exist, but they usually follow the same pattern. Each point of the Scout Law is mentioned in order.

When can the Scout Law Prayer be used?

Units often use it at troop or pack meetings, campfires, and courts of honor. It can also work well during Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath services. Some leaders use it as a closing reflection at the end of a meeting. It can also be used during a Scouts Own service.

Can Scouts take turns reading the prayer?

Yes. Many units like to have several Scouts read different parts. One Scout can read each section that matches a point of the Scout Law. This helps Scouts stay involved and think about the words they are reading.

Is the Scout Law Prayer good for younger Scouts?

Yes. The structure follows the Scout Law, which younger Scouts already learn. This makes it easy for them to follow along. Leaders may choose to read it slowly and pause between sections so Scouts can think about the meaning.

Can the Scout Law Prayer be used at interfaith events?

In many cases it works well because the language is general and focuses on character. It does not refer to a specific church or tradition. Leaders should still be aware of the beliefs of the group and choose prayers that respect everyone present.

Do the words of the prayer have to be exact?

No. Since the prayer is not an official text, leaders sometimes adjust the wording. Some shorten it for younger Scouts. Others change small parts to better fit their group. The main goal is to connect the prayer to the values in the Scout Law.

The Scout Law Prayer takes the twelve points of the Scout Law and turns them into a prayer. It asks for help living these values in daily life. Each part of the prayer connects a point of the law with a situation Scouts may see around them. The prayer reminds Scouts to choose honesty, kindness, courage, and respect even when others do not.

The prayer follows the order of the Scout Law. It begins by asking God to bless the people who guide Scouts. Then it moves through each point of the law one by one. Each section names a challenge in the world and asks for help to respond in a better way. This simple format makes the prayer easy for Scouts to follow.

Many units use the Scout Law Prayer at meetings, campfires, and courts of honor. It can also be used during Scout Sunday services or Scouts Own gatherings. Some units have different Scouts read each section. This helps youth take part and reflect on the meaning of the words.

The prayer reminds Scouts that the law is not only something to memorize. It is a guide for daily choices. Scouts face many situations where they must decide how to act. This prayer encourages them to live the Scout Law in school, at home, and in their community.