Many thanks to our colleague in ministry, the Rev. José Luis Casal, General Missioner of Tres Rios Presbytery for sharing this prayer.
Holy God,
Your presence transcends all human made borders and your love crosses all boundaries. Help us join you at the borders and help us to extend some hope to those who live without future and dignity at the border. We pray that you help us to promote laws that protect the rights and dignity of everyone, especially those most vulnerable.
God of justice
Your loves transcends our limitations and our unfair rules that discriminate against human beings and divide humankind. We pray that the dignity of all God's children will be acknowledged and protected in every country of the world but especially in our country
God of mercy
Your wisdom transcends our limited understanding and our conditioned charity. Help us to end the violence and poverty that displaces so many people from their homes and homelands to find new dreams and horizons. We pray that employers and corporations may choose the dignity and worth of each human person over profit and power.
God of all peoples
Your merciful compassion transcends our unlimited selfishness that condemns millions of people around the world to lives of misery, hunger, sickness and hopelessness.
Creator and Sustainer, we offer our prayer…
For the children who cross the border looking for a better education because of the lack of opportunities in their own countries.
For those victims of human trafficking forced to slave labor and prostitution while they pursue the American dream
For the multitude of refugees, forced from their homes to alien places through war or through the destruction of their environment.
For the migrant workers, who are forced to travel to other countries looking for better salaries because there are not fairly remunerated jobs in their countries.
God of all nations
We are indeed a nation of nations. Help us to incorporate newcomers into the ever growing and diverse body we call the United States of America. You made us different yet all bearing your image. As we work to live in community with our brothers and sisters help us to discern that image in those around us.
God of all cultures, races and languages,
Give us the wisdom to find the way to comprehensive immigration reform to restore the dignity of millions of men and women who live in darkness and to reshape the image of the country that is proud to be the land of free and the house of the brave.
In your Holy Name we pray. Amen
Read a letter from leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on Arizona's new immigration law.
Read Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow's blog post on the letter.
Learn more about PC(USA) work on immigration.