Liturgical resources
A Prayer for immigrants
Journeying God, travel with those who move from one place to another. Provide strength and courage and reminders of your presence. Lead people around the world to extend hospitality to immigrants and in so doing encounter sisters and brothers. Guide those who make and enforce immigration policy to do so wisely and well. We pray in the name of Jesus, whose parents fled to Egypt to keep him safe. Amen.
Submitted By:
The Rev. W. Mark Koenig
Associate for Resources and Publications
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
A Prayer for the Immigrants
Equity and Justice Immigration Task Force
Spanish
Querido Dios nuestro viaje por la vida es largo y duro. No podemos hacer este recorrido solos; debemos caminar juntos durante el viaje. Prometiste enviarnos un ayudante, tu Espìritu. Ay˙danos a ver tu Espìritu en los que envìas a viajar con nosotros.
En la familia refugiada, que busca seguridad ante la violencia,
Dèjanos ver tu Espìritu.
En el trabajador migrante, que trae alimento a nuestras mesas,
Dèjanos ver tu Espìritu
En el solicitante de asilo, que busca justicia para sì y su familia,
Dèjanos ver tu Espìritu
En el niño sin compañìa, que viaja solo en un mundo peligroso,
Dèjanos ver tu Espìritu
Enseñanos a reconocer que cuando caminamos juntos, T˙ est·s presente. Ensèòanos a acoger no sûlo al forastero entre nosotros sino tambièn los dones que nos trae: las invitaciones a la conversiûn, la comuniûn y la solidaridad.
English
Dear God, our journey through life is long and hard. We cannot make this trip alone; we must walk together on the journey. You promised to send us a helper, your Spirit. Help us to see your Spirit in those you send to journey with us.
In the refugee family, seeking safety from violence,
Let us see your Spirit.
In the migrant worker, bringing food to our tables,
Let us see your Spirit.
In the asylum-seeker, seeking justice for himself and his family,
Let us see your Spirit.
In the unaccompanied child, traveling in a dangerous world,
Let us see your Spirit.
Teach us to recognize that as we walk with each other, you are present. Teach us to welcome not only the strangers in our midst but the gifts they bring as well: the invitation to conversion, communion, and solidarity.
This is the help you have sent: we are not alone. We are together on the journey, and for this we give you thanks.
Amen.
Submitted By: The Rev. Enock De Assis
 This is a poem that was written in the sign in book at the C.C.A.Y.M.N (Centro Comunitario de Atencion al Migrante y Necesitado) Migrant Mission in Altar, Sonora, Mexico.
The fallen immigrants are people without faces
Their names blown away in the wind and their bodies swallowed by the desert.
The sinister outcome of their death does not frighten statistics
Nor does it surprise humanity
Nor is there a single tear shed by the cold eyes of the world.
No one is moved by this heroism of men and women, of children, of elderly
Whose only sin was to dream of crossing a border, a desert, a river, a sea
In search of a promised land
And not find it but in the world beyond.
(While not actually a prayer, it could be used as a prayer.)
Submitted By:
The Rev. Scott Marrese-Wheeler
First Presbyterian Church
Marshfield, Wis.
Buen Coyote
You walk with us in deserted places,
And show us the way to Promised Land.
Guide us through the thorny thickets that entangle us,
the arid refuge of serpents and scorpions that puncture our resolve.
That our determination to continue in your ways,
Despite the hardships we encounter,
Will never falter.
Por favor Buen Coyote, for it is in your name, Jesus Christ, we pray.
Submitted By: George Tatro
U.S. Catholic Bishops' Justice for Immigrants Web site includes lots of ideas for liturgy as well as a beautiful prayer card.
Click "Parishes" on top of the home page, then select the links under "Educational Resources."
Remember the Immigrant Prayer Service  — Courtesy of Education for Justice.
Submitted by: The Rev. Enock De Assis
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