Strategic Prayer for Indigenous People

This post is all about prayer for indigenous people

Today, I want to write about a subject that is very dear to me- indigenous people. What sparked this post is the current injustices the Maasai face in Tanzania. They are currently being evicted from their ancestral home.

Like many indigenous tribes all over the world, including U.S and Canada, indigenous people face similar challenges, for example, economic marginalization, land loss, and cultural decline.

I am writing this heartfelt post to all indigenous people (me included) and everyone who loves indigenous people.

I will start by explaining who indigenous people are and then move on to challenges and prayer points.

Ready? Let’s begin…

Who are indigenous people?

Indigenous people are those who have a historical connection to a particular piece of land. This connection can be traced back to before the arrival of colonizers, missionaries, or settlers. Indigenous people often have a deep spiritual and emotional attachment to their land and see themselves as custodians of it. They have unique knowledge about their local environment and play an essential role in conservation.

Indigenous people often suffer from discrimination and marginalization. They may be denied basic rights and services, or their land may be taken away from them without consent. This can lead to poverty and poor health outcomes.

So why should you care about indigenous people?

First, it is important to respect the rights of all people.

Second, indigenous people play an important role in conservation and sustainable development.

Finally, by supporting indigenous people, we can help preserve cultural diversity.

Who are the Maasai?

The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. Their distinctive customs and dress are among the best-known local populations. The Maasai speak the Maa language (also called Ol Maa) as a mother tongue. It is closely related to other languages spoken by the Nilotic peoples, such as Luo and Dinka. The Maasai population has been estimated to be around 800,000. Most of them live in Kenya, with a smaller number in northern Tanzania.

I come from the Kalenjin tribe, which is also Nilotic. We share many cultural similarities with Maasai, such as a patriarchal social structure and a strong warrior tradition. Both tribes also place importance on culture, maintaining ancestral land, and livestock. So that’s why I totally understand their current plight.

Spiritual law- it’s not “just” a land issue!

Often, people dismiss land eviction or trespassing of indigenous land as just a “physical land issue.” However, I can tell you that it’s far much more than that!

Since Indigenous people are the original people of a place, they are the legal owners and have spiritual jurisdiction over that place. The truth is that many broken treaties have been made with Indigenous people; thus, curses can be seen as a result.

But there is good news! Christians who are passionate about deliverance and restoration often go to Indigenous tribes to ask for forgiveness, are repentant and seek reconciliation. Why? Because they understand that spiritual laws still apply and that Indigenous people have jurisdiction over their land.

We need to humble ourselves and seek forgiveness from those who have been wronged. We need to be sincere and also help them in terms of social justice. When doing this, we open the door for God’s blessings to flow. Let us never forget that Indigenous people are integral to God’s plan for humanity!

Reasons why prayer is important!

There are many reasons why prayer is essential, but here are five of the most pressing issues facing indigenous peoples today:

1. Education

Indigenous peoples often have little access to education, and prayer can help to open doors of opportunity.

2. Injustices

Indigenous peoples often face discrimination and injustice. They may be denied basic rights and education, healthcare, and employment access. They may also be forcibly removed from their ancestral lands. Prayer can help bring about justice for these people and give them the strength to endure the hardships they are facing.

3. Need for healing!

Many indigenous peoples have experienced significant trauma in their lives. This may be due to violence, displacement, or other factors. Prayer can help to bring physical, emotional, and spiritual healing to these individuals and communities.

4. Poverty

Poverty is a major issue facing indigenous peoples. They may lack access to basic needs like food, clean water, and shelter. Prayer can help provide for their needs and break the cycle of poverty.

5. Addiction

Addiction is a serious problem facing many indigenous peoples. This may be due to historical injustices, forced assimilation, etc.

9 Strategic prayer points for indigenous people

1. Pray for the social justice of indigenous peoples. Pray they would be treated fairly and given the same rights and privileges as other citizens.
2. Pray for the unity of indigenous peoples. Pray that they would come together and work towards a common goal.
3. Pray for the emotional healing of indigenous peoples. Pray that they would find peace and hope in Christ.
4. Pray for the economic development of indigenous communities. Pray that they would have access to resources and opportunities.
5. Pray that they would have wisdom and guidance from God.
6. Pray for the political empowerment and representation of indigenous peoples. Pray that they would have a voice in their governments and be able to participate in decision-making processes.
7. Pray that they would experience the love and mercy of God.
8. Pray that they would be set free from addiction and other bondages.
9. Pray that they would be blessed in all areas of their lives and that God would pour out His favor on them.

Bible verses for hope and encouragement

As you pray for indigenous peoples, here are ten Bible verses to meditate on:

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm— my great army that I sent among you.” Joel 2:25

“And I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I drove you out.” – Jeremiah 29:13-15

“For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of Nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘The Lord has saved his people, the remnant of Israel.'” – Jeremiah 31:7-8

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:19

“Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” – Zechariah 9:12

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” – Proverbs 31:8-9

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Rescue the poor and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked,” – Psalm 82:3-4

Sample prayer

Here is a sample prayer you can pray for indigenous peoples:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today to lift up our indigenous brothers and sisters. Lord, they have faced many injustices throughout history, and we pray for Your healing power to touch their lives. We ask that you cover them with the blood of Jesus and protect them from discrimination.

Lord, raise leaders with the wisdom and guidance to navigate any issues. Raise leaders who are after your own heart and who will address national and political issues according to your will. Please give them a strategy to ensure resources, development, and fund disbursement are managed with excellence. We thank you for restoration over their land! We also pray that you will defend them against any corrupt people encroaching over the legal land.

In particular, I pray for [Insert indigenous group] and [insert current issue].Thank you for your swift intervention.

Jesus, give us the strength to stand with our indigenous brothers and sisters and help them in any way we can. We know that prayer is powerful, and we trust that You will hear our prayers and move in response. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And that’s it, folks, prayer for indigenous people

Prayer is a powerful tool that we can use to make a difference in the world around us. It is imperative when it comes to prayer for indigenous people. Keep the prayer points I listed in mind as you meditate on the Bible verses provided in the post.

Hugs,