"Build me a son, O Lord,

who will be strong enough to know when he is weak,

and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid;

one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat,

　Build me a son

　whose wishes will not take the place of deeds;

Lead him, I pray,

not in the path of ease and comfort,

but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.

Here, let him learn to stand up in the storm;

here let him learn compassion for those that fail.

　Build me a son

　whose heart will be clear,

　whose goal will be high,

　a son who will master himself

　before he seeks to master other men;

　one who will reach into the future,

　yet never forget the past.

　And after all these things are his,

　add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor,

　so that he may always be serious,

　yet never take himself too seriously.

　Give him humility,

　so that he may always remember

　the simplicity of true greatness,

　the open mind of true wisdom

　and the meekness of true strength.