Holy God,

You led Abraham and Sarah to a new land;
You led your people across the Egyptian border to freedom;
You sent your angel to warn Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to a foreign country, because their homeland was not safe.

You are a God who calls us to love and care for the strangers among us;
it is because of this love that we pray to you now.

O God, hear our prayer
and protect all people entering this country:
Protect them from whatever they are fleeing.
Protect them from the harsh natural elements.
Protect them from the violence that other people would commit against them.

O God, hear our prayer
and protect all people who have come to this country:
Shield their spirits from any hatred and prejudice directed against them.
Hold their families together.
Guide them to make life-affirming decisions.

O God, hear our prayer
and empower people of faith across this nation to hear your word and heed your call
to protect and love the strangers among us.
Let us raise our voices not only in prayer, but also in protest
against hate-filled, dehumanizing speech,
against oppressive policies,
against arrogant and heartless laws.

O God, hear our prayer
and grant our federal and state legislators compassion and wisdom
as they consider various proposals for immigration reform.
May their ears be deaf to lies born of fear.
May their eyes be open to the humanity of each immigrant.
May they lead us to be a state and a nation
that finds our security in offering generous hospitality to all of your people.

Amen.