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Throughout history, humans have migrated across the globe making their homes in new places. Yet, at this moment, we are experiencing the largest refugee crisis in modern history. Conflict, poverty and violence have forced tens of millions of people away from their homelands into unknown futures because the insecurity of the journey is preferable to the unsafe conditions of at home.

We know God is with our sisters and brothers seeking refuge. Will we answer the call to stand with them and recognize that we share their journey?

From Deuteronomy 10:17-19, "For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." 

God of our Wandering Ancestors,
Long have we known that your heart is with the refugee: That you were born into a family of refugees fleeing violence in their homeland, who then gathered up their hungry child and fled into alien country. Their cry, your cry, resounds through the ages: "Will you let me in?" Give us hearts that break open when our brothers and sisters turn to us with that same cry. Then surely all these things will follow:

Ears will no longer turn deaf to their voices.

Eyes will see a moment for grace instead of a threat.

Tongues will not be silenced, but will instead advocate. And,

Hands will reach out — working for peace in their homelands, working for justice in the lands where they seek safe haven.

Lord, protect all refugees in their travels. May they find a friend in me, and so make me worthy of the refuge I have found in you.

Amen.

This prayer is excerpted from the Solidarity Vigil for Refugees at
www.crs.org/resource-center/solidarity-prayer-vigil-refugees

© 2017 The Catholic Health Association of the United States