BORDER ANGELS

PRAYER FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK 2003
ALL COME BEARING GIFTS
RESPOSE (all):  LORD, YOU ARE THE GIFT AND YOU ARE THE GIVER.

WE WELCOME YOU INTO OUR HEARTS AND OUR HOMES, DEAR JESUS.   R
WE WELCOME YOU IN THE PERSON OF THE MIGRANT FARM WORKER, WHOSE
LABOR BRINGS THE FRUITS OF THE FIELD AND THE VINE TO OUR TABLES.  R
WE WELCOME YOU UN THE PERSONS OF THE SEAFARER AND TRUCK DRIVER,
WHOSE LONG JOURNEYS BRING GOODS AND FUEL TO OUR HOMES?  R
WE WELCOME YOU IN THE PERSONS OF THE REFUGEE CHILD ALONE IN THE
WORLD, WHOSE HOPE AND COURAGE BRING US INSPIRATION.  R
WE WELCOME YOU IN THE PERSON OF THE ASYLUM SEEKER, DETAINED IN OUR
PRISONS WITH OUT CAUSE, WHO TEACHES US TO THIRST FOR JUSTICE.  R
WE WELCOME YOU IN THE PERSONS OF THE IMMIGRANT TEACHER, SCIENTIST,
ARTIST, ATHLETE, AND DOCTOR, ALL OF WHOM BRING THEIR GIFTS TO ENRICH OUR
LAND AND OUR LIVES.  R

LET US PRAY (together):
LORD JESUS, HELP US TO RECOGNIZE YOU IN THE FACE OF THE STRANGER AND
WELCOME YOUR PRESENCE AMOUNG US. YOU HAVE GRACED US WITH THE GIFTS
OF MANY CULTURES AND NATIONS. FREE US FROM THE FEAR OF THOSE FROM
OTHER LANDS. TEACH US TO SHARE OUR GIFTS WITH NEW COMERS IN RETURN, SO
THAT YOU MAY SAY, “I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU WELCOME ME. COME
NOW INTO MY KINGDOM.” WE ASK THIS IN YOUR NAME, FROM THE FATHER,
THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
AMEN