O God listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge. (from Psalm 61 NLT)

O Lord, you hear our cries. You know our fears. You know the physical and emotional dangers that we face. Before we have even taken one step on our journey, you have seen the whole path we must take, and you walk each step with us. Guide us and protect us as we travel together through uncertain places.

Make us aware of those who journey towards us as refugees. Open our eyes to see their need of protection. Open our hearts to welcome them into our communities. Guide us on how best to speak up for their rights and fight for their cause without speaking over them. Let us not discriminate between “us” and “them” when all you see is your beloved children.

Do not let us be indifferent to the needs of others but let us remember all you have done for us when we were in need, so that we may now give from what we have to help others.

We pray for refugees around the world, and ask that you would hide those whose enemies seek to harm them as you kept David hidden from King Saul. Guide those who do not know where to go next as you led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. Protect those who are running from danger as you protected the Holy Family running from King Herod.

Mighty King, you do not turn anyone away from full citizenship in your kingdom. Your people praise you in countless languages, singing  Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!

Amen

Written by
Paula Marshall (Territorial Immigrant and Refugee Ministries Consultant)
Giovanna Cambraia (Toronto Immigrant and Refugee Services)
Louise Fernandez (Immigrant and Refugee Programs, Montreal Citadel)
Captain Angelica Hernandez (Toronto Immigrant and Refugee Services)
Alejandro Segura (Toronto Immigrant and Refugee Services)