As we observed Indigenous Peoples Day this week, we want to take an opportunity to pray for members of our First Nations tribes. For centuries, God established this land as a dwelling place and an inheritance for Native American peoples.
In 2022, we began an intentional journey of acknowledging this truth and praying for forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing. On the National Day of Prayer that year, in the historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington D.C., we witnessed a powerful and deeply significant moment. We asked to have the 2009 congressional Apology to the Native Americans read and received at the Cemetery, because it is hallowed ground, with at least 35 Native American leaders from 12 different tribes, including chiefs and tribal representatives, are buried there. They had come to our nation’s capital generations ago to negotiate on behalf of their people and, far from home, many died of illness while seeking justice and peace for their tribes. It was in this sacred place that Ambassador Sam Brownback read aloud the official apology, that began, "To acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the Federal Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States."
Until that day, this apology had never been publicly delivered. Tribal leaders present, representing all 574 recognized tribes within the United States, graciously received it and extended forgiveness. It was a holy and historic moment that I believe marked the beginning of a new chapter in God’s redemptive work in America.
That day reminded me that God is still writing a story of healing over our land. A story that requires humility, repentance, and a willingness to walk together in grace. As Ambassador Brownback shared, we should now “watch expectantly” for what God will do next to restore relationships, mend generational wounds, and even heal the land itself. Like you, I deeply desire to see God forgive our sins and heal our nation as His people humble themselves and pray. These prayers are not simply symbolic gestures, they are powerful invitations for God to move in ways that only He can!
Friends, the Holy Spirit continues to stir a deep conviction within us for prayer, repentance, and revival. Throughout history, every major awakening has been preceded by the prayers of God’s people.
This year, as we gather under the banner of our theme, “Glorify God Throughout the Nations – Seeking Him in All Generations”, we are also preparing to observe the 75th Annual National Day of Prayer, established into law in 1952, on the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth. Before we can truly “celebrate” this milestone, we must first repent of the sins of our past and rededicate this land, and every nation of people that dwell here today – to Him.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force is committed to mobilizing unified public prayer and multiplying collaboration across peoples, churches, ministries, and communities, so that together we might see God pour out His Spirit once again and glorify His name in this generation and the next. And we believe with great hope and confidence that what we have seen so far is only the beginning of a greater story God is writing.
Would you please pray with us now?
Father, we thank You for the First Nations people You placed here long before this country was formed. We acknowledge their heritage and the boundaries You appointed, and we ask You to bring healing to wounds that have lingered for generations. We pray for unity, restoration, and revival. Lord, forgive us where we have sinned—through neglect, injustice, or silence—and lead us forward in humility and love. We ask You to heal our land, restore relationships, and pour out Your Spirit across every nation, tribe, and tongue in this ‘now’ generation. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray, amen.
