Today is Girl Scout Sabbath.
The purpose of this special day is to emphasize that we take the Girl Scout Promise seriously – “On my honor, I will try to serve God.” It is a time for Girl Scouts to reflect upon the importance of the words, “to serve God.”
In some places of worship, Girl Scouts are encouraged to attend services in uniform. Girls who are regularly part of the service may act as altar servers, lectors, or gift bearers in uniform if they’re allowed. They can also ask to serve as greeters before and after the service. In some places of worship, the priest, rabbi, imam, or celebrant will set aside a time at the end of the service to give a special blessing to the Girl Scouts – sometimes Girl Scouts may be called up front for this.
Some may choose to organize a reception after the service. If there are highest award earners in your group, you may want to hold a special recognition before, during, or after the service. If any Girl Scouts have earned a religious award, the celebrant may be willing to set aside time to award it to them at the service. You can make this extra special by making a special Girl Scout snack or sharing Girl Scout memories.
Some Girl Scouts will also look to turn the day into a service project – collecting food, clothing, or other items of need for the community and donating the supplies to a local organization.
Girl Scout Prayers for All Faiths
This may also be a good time to learn about or experience a different faith. Maybe a sister in Girl Scouts practices a different faith and invites you to their service, and you invite them to yours. To help you start learning about other faiths here are some prayers for a variety of faiths.
- A Girl Scout Prayer
Lord, help us to be good Girl Scouts, ones whom the world can trust.
Help us to respect our neighbors’ rights, and never be unjust.
Help us as Americans, to be worthy of the flag we bear.
Help us as real Girl Scouts, to be proud of the uniform we wear.
Help us to be clean, Dear Lord, in thought, word and deed.
Help us to follow the law that is in the Girl Scout creed.
Help us to love all people of the world, and then to serve them, too.
Help our actions to count, Dear Lord, in everything we do.
Help give us strength to carry on and do our part each day.
Make a place in this world for us and help us fill it, we pray.
Make us what we ought to be, and in Thy footsteps fall.
Help us to live for others, O great Scout Master of us all.
- Prayer for Buddhist Girl Scouts
When someone is wronged he must put aside all resentment and say, My mind shall not be disturbed; no angry word shall escape my lips; I will remain kind and friendly, with loving thoughts and no secret spite.
- Prayer for Catholic Girl Scouts
Dear Jesus, we ask you to bless us and all other Girl Scouts. Give us grace to serve you and our country and to keep our Girl Scout Promise and Law. Make us humble and friendly, eager for adventure, alert and prepared for service. Give us the courage to dare to do right; make us both strong to fight and steadfast to endure; and may our lives be filled with joy that spreads happiness everywhere. AMEN
- Prayer for Girl Scouts of Christian Faith
Dear Father in Heaven, we know we are your children, we want to serve you faithfully, and we want to keep our Girl Scout Promise. Help us to listen to your voice; help us to be willing and quick to do your work; help us to be friendly and loving; and help us to thank you every day for all your gifts to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
- Prayer for Girl Scouts of Hindu Faith
O Lord God almighty, May there be peace in celestial regions. May there be peace on earth. May the waters be appeasing. May herbs be wholesome, and may trees and plants bring peace to all. May all beneficent beings bring peace to us. May your Vedic Law propagate peace all through the world. May all things be a source of peace to us. And may your peace itself bestow peace on all.
- Prayer for Jewish Girl Scouts
O, Lord, our God, we ask Thy blessing upon us and upon our sister Girl Scouts. Give us strength of character and of purpose so that we may fulfill our Promise and faithfully obey our Law. Teach us to understand that by living up to the ideals of our Movement we are helping to build a better tomorrow for ourselves and all people. AMEN
- Muslim Prayer for Girl Scouts
In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the controversial teachings of arrogance, divisions and hatreds which have badly infected our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; reunite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish Your purposes on earth; that, in Your good time, all nations and races may jointly serve You in justice, peace and harmony. AMEN
- Native American Prayer for Girl Scouts
Oh Great Spirit, whose voice we hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world. Hear me! We are small and weak, we need your strength and wisdom. Let us walk in beauty and make our eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make our hands respect the things you have made and our ears sharp to hear your voice. Let us learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. Make us wise so that we may understand. We seek strength to understand your lessons you have taught to us.
Other Ways to Participate
This year participating in services is harder to do as we all try to stay safe, so another way you can take part in Girl Scouts Sabbath or Sunday is to earn the My Promise, My Faith Pin. Every level can earn this pin once a year. Earning the pin helps girls explore their specific faith and connect with their religious community and members.
1. Choose one line from the Girl Scout Law.
- Find a story, song, or poem from your faith that has the same ideas. Share what the line of the Law and the poem, story, or song have in common.
2. Find a woman in your own or another faith community.
- Ask her how she tries to use that line of the Law in her life.
3. Gather three inspirational quotes.
- Pick the quotes from women that match the line of the Law and put them places you’ll see every day.
4. Make something to remind you of what you’ve learned.
- It might be a drawing, painting, poster, story, or skit.
5. Keep the connection strong.
- Find out if your faith community offers a recognition program for Girl Scouts.
- Talk with your friends, family, or faith community about what you’ve learned about your faith and Girl Scouting. Ask them to help you live the Law and your faith.
- Or you can show off what you made or perform your skit.
Special thanks to Patilyn Lowery, our coordinator of GSMIDTN Faith-based Awards and Initiatives.