Christmas celebrates the greatest gift ever given—Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. God sent His Son so that people from every nation, tribe, and language could receive forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. This Christmas, we remember that Jesus came for all people, including the First Peoples of this land. Native American families and tribes have experienced deep wounds through generations, and some of those memories still bring pain today. Forgiveness does not mean that past wrongs were right or that painful history should be forgotten. Instead, through Jesus Christ, we can place those wounds into God's hands and receive His grace to forgive. The message of Christmas declares that our past does not have to control our future. Jesus came to forgive our sins, heal broken hearts, and give us a new life filled with hope.
During this Christmas season, let us pray for Native American people, families, churches, and communities to experience the saving love of Jesus Christ. Let us pray that generational hurts will not continue to produce bitterness and unforgiveness from one generation to the next. Instead, may the forgiveness of Jesus open a new path of freedom, peace, healing, and reconciliation. Colossians 3:13 teaches us, “as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” The greatest Christmas gift is the salvation and forgiveness Jesus freely offers, and one of the greatest gifts we can give another person is forgiveness. This Christmas, let us pray that the light of Christ will shine across Native America and that many will discover the freedom that comes through forgiving others and receiving the forgiveness and salvation found in Jesus Christ.
“Father, thank You for the greatest gift of Christmas, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that Jesus came to bring salvation and forgiveness to every nation, tribe, people, and language. We pray for Native American people and communities across this land. Where there are wounds from the past, bring Your healing. Where unforgiveness has passed from one generation to another, give grace to forgive. Help Native and non-Native believers to walk together in the love and forgiveness of Christ. May this Christmas season become a time when many hearts turn to Jesus, receive His forgiveness, and discover new hope in Him. Let the light of Christ shine brightly across Native America, and may the good news of Jesus bring salvation, healing, peace, and reconciliation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
NAI Christmas Prayer Focus
Pray for Salvation — Pray that Native American people across the United States will hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ and experience His gift of salvation.
Pray for Forgiveness — Pray for God's grace to help people release old offenses, hurts, and bitterness and discover the freedom that comes through forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us.
Pray for Generational Healing — Pray that wounds carried from one generation to another will be surrendered to Christ and that future generations will inherit greater hope, peace, faith, and freedom.
Pray for Reconciliation — Pray for healing and stronger relationships between Native and non-Native believers, with Christ and His love at the center.
Pray for Native Families — Pray that homes and families will experience the peace of Christ this Christmas and that forgiveness will restore relationships that have been divided or broken.
Pray for Native Churches — Pray that Native pastors, Christian leaders, and churches will boldly proclaim Jesus Christ and become places where people experience salvation, forgiveness, prayer, healing, and hope.
Pray for a Christmas Harvest — Pray that this Christmas season will open hearts to the gospel and that many Native people will discover that Jesus Christ is God's greatest gift—our Savior, our forgiveness, and our eternal hope.
