Streams of Mercy

Once again I find words to help me deal with events of the day in the Presbyterian Outlook. What follows is a portion of Jill Duffield’s “Prayer for Children Coming Across Our Border.” Whatever our political views on the matter of immigration , may some of these words and phrases find their way into our hearts and prayers this day.

“Jesus, you say ‘welcome the little children’ and ‘blessed are the poor’ and ‘what we do to the most vulnerable we do to you.’ You tell us that we will be judged not on whether we said, “Lord, Lord,” not on if we tithed or attended worship or sang your praises, but on if we were compassionate and cared for the sick, the weak, the prisoner, the stranger, the children, the least of these our brothers and sisters.

We ask forgiveness even as we confess that we are still engaged in practices that are abhorrent. Children are being forcibly taken from their parents. People fleeing abuse are being further abused in our name. Youth who crossed our borders unaccompanied are being incarcerated. Those brought here years and years ago remain in a state of anxious waiting as our elected leaders use their fate as a bargaining chip. We plead with you, Lord Christ, not for mercy for ourselves, but for relief for those in the throes of our broken immigration system…

… Lord of all, who welcomes the little children, hold them close until they are reunited with their families. Lord Jesus, who came to this earth poor, a refugee who fled with his family to escape violence, help us to see you in each other, especially in those who right this moment are on the run, looking for safety. Lord Christ, who goes after the lost sheep and brings them safely home, make of us good shepherds, too. Amen.”

Two responses to this prayer show new perspectives on additional prayers needing to be offered in these days: “Let us pray also for the parents who willfully and purposefully place their innocent children knowingly in harm's way and use them for barter. Let us pray also for the perpetrators of squalid and repressive conditions that drive the poor and wealthy alike to be fearful.” Again, whatever our political views on the matter of immigration, may some of these words and phrases find their way into our hearts and prayers this day.

Giving thanks for people whose words confront and comfort and help us to find our way through these confusing days. Giving thanks, too, for those streams of mercy, never ceasing.

Elizabeth