A Refugee from South Sudan is my Brother: Prayer & Litany

We offer you this prayer and litany to support your congregations as they work to welcome the stranger, in word and in deed. 

Prayer

Leader: Triune God, in Jesus, you entered our human world -- vulnerable, oppressed, and seeking refuge. You dwell among those who have no place to rest, who are fleeing persecution, who rely on the charity of others.

Congregation: God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Leader: Comfort your people who are in distress, who have lost their homes and way of life, who know violence and uncertainty more than most. For refugees who sit in camps, distant or separated from family, nursing wounds, healing from trauma, we ask for your provision, Lord. For those who might be traveling from their homeland to a new country, we pray you soothe fears about new languages, new food, and a new life.

Congregation: God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Leader: God, we lift in prayer all those who have been elevated to positions of leadership. This is a critical time -- all over the world, the needs of displaced people seem to be met with increasing protectionist attitudes. We pray for those leaders, Lord. Strengthen their resolve to lead in ways that promote the common good. Embolden their ideas, enliven their energy, and engender new policies, budgets, laws that will welcome the stranger and open arms to the vulnerable.

Congregation: God of mercy, hear our prayer.

Leader: Convict your church, Lord. You seek to use the church to be a sign of your kingdom -- a kingdom that is marked by hospitality. In a world that seeks protection, the church is called to vulnerability. In a world that seeks to receive comfort, the church is called to give comfort. In a world that separates “us” and “them,” your church is called to break down the dividing walls. Remind us of the truths from scripture that call us to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and house the orphan and widow -- because it is a way that we experience the abundant life that you offer, right here and right now. Remind us that just as refugees from all parts of the globe are now in need, you were once in need. May we be a people who welcome you, Lord.

Congregation: God of the refugee, immigrant, and vulnerable, hear our prayer.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

Litany

Leader: With the people in Uganda we say:

Congregation: A refugee from South Sudan is my brother.

L: With the people of Bangladesh we say:

C: A refugee from Myanmar is my sister.

L: With the people of Lebanon we say:

C: A refugee from Syria is my cousin.

L: With the people of Ecuador we say:

C: A refugee from Colombia is my mother.

L: With the people of South Africa we say:

C: A refugee from Congo is my father.

L: With the people of Kenya we say:

C: A refugee from Somalia is my niece.

L: With the people of Germany we say:

C: A refugee from Eritrea is my grandmother.

L: With the people of [insert the name of your community] we say:

C: Refugees from around the world are my relatives.

L: Like God’s people of old, in thanksgiving, we remember and say:

C: A wandering Aramean is my ancestor (Deuteronomy 26:5).

L: We remember, O God, how others welcomed us and our kin as family, and we desire to respond in the same way. Help us be family to those who have lost their homes and their communities.

AMEN.

This litany was written by Mennonite Central Committee Canada for their World Refugee Day resources. You can find the original litany and other MCC Canada resources here.

[Image by Christine Olmeda]