The Native American death prayer is a spiritual expression deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions, reflecting a profound connection with nature, ancestors, and the cycle of life and death. Unlike formal Western prayers, it often focuses on guidance, peace, and the soul's journey rather than asking for intervention. Key themes include:
It’s important to note that practices and prayers vary widely among tribes; there is no single “Native American death prayer,” as each nation has its own rituals, songs, and traditions surrounding death and the afterlife.
- Honoring the spirit – acknowledging that death is a transition, not an end.
- Connection to nature – asking for the soul to travel with the elements (earth, wind, fire, water).
- Peace and release – seeking comfort and freedom for the dying and their loved ones.
- Ancestral guidance – inviting ancestors to accompany the spirit on its journey.
It’s important to note that practices and prayers vary widely among tribes; there is no single “Native American death prayer,” as each nation has its own rituals, songs, and traditions surrounding death and the afterlife.
Great Spirit Prayer
Oh, Great Spirit,
Whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world.
Hear me! I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes
ever hold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
Help me remain calm and strong in the
face of all that comes towards me.
Help me find compassion without
empathy overwhelming me.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy: myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to you without shame.
- Translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887
Prayer for Life
Our old women gods, we ask you!
Our old women gods, we ask you!
Then give us long life together,
May we live until our frosted hair is white;
May we live till then.
This life that now we know!
- Tewa (North American Indian) Traditional Prayer
Only For a Short While
Oh, only for so short a while you
have loaned us to each other,
because we take form in your act of drawing us,
and we take life in your painting us,
and we breathe in your singing us.
But only for so short a while
have you loaned us to each other.
Because even a drawing cut in obsidian fades,
and the green feathers, the crown feathers,
of the Quetzal bird lose their color,
and even the sounds of the waterfall
die out in the dry season.
So, we too, because only for a short while
have you loaned us to each other.
- Aztec Indian Prayer
Earth Prayer
Hey! Learn to hear my feeble voice.
At the center of the sacred hoop
You have said that I should make the tree to bloom.
With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather,
With running eyes I must say
The tree has never bloomed.
Here I stand, and the tree is withered.
Again, I recall the great vision you gave me.
It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives.
Nourish it then
That it may leaf
And bloom
And fill with singing birds!
Hear me, that the people may once again
Find the good road
And the shielding tree.
- Black Elk
Standing Bear Network
Great Spirit, you have gifted us another day.
The breath in our lungs is sacred.
The sun rising over the trees is a promise —
a reminder that we are still needed here.
Thank you for the dreams that spoke to us last night.
Thank you for the warmth of our loved ones,
for the laughter of our children,
for the memory of those who walk with us in spirit.
Bless the water, nîpîy,
that it may heal our bodies and carry our prayers.
Bless the fire, iskotêw,
that it may warm our hearts and burn away fear.
Guide our footsteps today —
that we may walk with gentleness,
speak with kindness,
and act with courage.
Remind us of who we are,
Pimicikamak Ininiwak,
born of the land, the river, and the star nation.
We walk not alone —
our ancestors walk beside us.
tapwe — this is truth.
mîyawâsin — may it be a good day.
—Kanipawit Maskwa
John Gonzalez
Standing Bear Network
A Native American Prayer for Peace
O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds,
and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect,
and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.
- U.N. Day of Prayer for World Peace 2
Earth Prayer
Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice.
You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer.
All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.
You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other.
You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy.
Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things.
Hey! Lean to hear my feeble voice.
At the center of the sacred hoop
You have said that I should make the tree to bloom.
With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather,
With running eyes I must say
The tree has never bloomed
Here I stand, and the tree is withered.
Again, I recall the great vision you gave me.
It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives.
Nourish it then
That it may leaf
And bloom
And fill with singing birds!
Hear me, that the people may once again
Find the good road
And the shielding tree.
- Black Elk 3
Mohawk Prayer
Oh Great Spirit, Creator of all things;
Human Beings, trees, grass, berries.
Help us, be kind to us.
Let us be happy on earth.
Let us lead our children
To a good life and old age.
These our people; give them good minds
To love one another.
Oh Great Spirit,
Be kind to us
Give these people the favor
To see green trees,
Green grass, flowers, and berries
This next spring;
So we all meet again
Oh Great Spirit,
We ask of you.
- Mohawk Prayer
