Right now, there is so much in the news about immigrants in the United States being targeted, apprehended, and detained, that the reality of people from other countries still walking through the desert to enter this country is easily forgotten. There are trails through the mountains of southern Arizona that migrants have used for many years, and the evidence of recent use is scattered along the way – abandoned backpacks, empty water bottles, offerings at small shrines. Those abandoned remains are the concrete testimony to the endurance of the human spirit. If life is too difficult, people will look for something else regardless of the danger. And what happened to these people? It is hard to know. Do they make safely through, or do they die in the desert, or are they apprehended by Border Patrol?
Pray this prayer with all migrating people:
We walk with our brothers and sisters in desolation.
Are you here God?
Please don’t be far.
We are afraid and our souls are trembling.
You cried in Gethsemane, come cry with us.
Many hunt for us and we are accused of breaking the law;
You have been persecuted,
come be our witness,
defend our cause.
Make known the roots of our suffering and the causes of our journey.
Make public that our intentions are in accord to your law.
Intercede for those who walk with us in this path.
Make their rights be known,
and their voices be heard.
Anxiety and fear are our companions in our journey;
replace them with peace and hope.
Nurture our spirits while we are far from home.
Be with our loved ones.
Christ, you have been a migrant,
you have been exiled.
Come walk with us,
and bring justice and peace into our lives.
Restore the lands of our ancestors.
Bring justice to our people.
Pour rain on their crops,
and give them peace to harvest their fruit,
so they don’t have to migrate and leave their homes.
And if we have to return, we will be able to sustain our families.
God, give us the courage to advocate for just laws.
As you did for Pharaohs and Kings in antiquity,
soften the hearts of lawmakers today,
so that the laws will be in accord with your law.
Amen.
Republished with permission from Saulo Padilla.
