From Sacred Ground In Action (SGIA):
What was once a beacon of hope is seen by many across the world as a cynically obsolete promise. Many of us still believe in that promise of invitation to live in a country with freedom and justice for all, as merely aspirational as it seems and often has been in truth.
The United Nations has designated Thursday, December 18 as International Migrants Day. The UN Migration Agency (IOM) defines a migrant as any person who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a State away from his/her habitual place of residence, regardless of (1) the person’s legal status; (2) whether the movement is voluntary or involuntary; (3) what the causes for the movement are; or (4) what the length of the stay is.
From UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: “On this International Migrants Day, let us stand together for the rights of every migrant, and make migration dignified and safe for all.” Learn more at UN.org (Click Here).
Prayer: God our Creator: We ask for your loving presence and for your peace to be with refugees in our local communities and around the world. Be with all who are in fear. Be with those whose lives and livelihoods are under threat, and whose religious freedoms are being compromised. Be with us as we strive to enact your will in our welcome and support of refugees. Be with those in positions of leadership, that their decisions may bend toward peace and not division, and that they might realize the power they hold to do justice. Give us all strength and courage. Equip and empower us to be witnesses to your love – as advocates and as servants, as ministers of welcome and bearers of hope, especially for those seeking refuge. In your Holy name we pray. Amen.
Shared by the Refugee Community Center at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator (Allentown), Diocese of Bethlehem
