Prayer and Call to Action on Immigration
In recent months the issue of immigration has come to the fore in the United States and, to a lesser extent, in Canada. In both of our countries, many of our CRCNA congregations have historically been, and continue to be, made up of immigrants.
Some of our brothers and sisters have reached out to CRCNA leaders in recent weeks to express the fears they now have in everyday life: street evangelism programs have been canceled, married couples have decided that they can’t risk going to church together, and the suspension of humanitarian parole for immigrants from countries like Venezuela means that some of our church planters now face deportation. In addition, some of us, even those who are here legally, have also reported facing inhumane treatment from racial profiling and are concerned about the increased levels of suspicion, arrests, and detainment. We grieve this pain together.
The Office of General Secretary offers the following as a reminder of our denomination’s positions on immigration and migration (see crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/position-statements/immigration-and-refugees) and as a prayer in which we hope all CRC congregations and members can be united.
Recognizing that we have all been grafted into God’s elect people by his unmerited grace (Romans 9:6-29; 11:17-21), we believe that God calls us to show the same love and welcome to migrants, refugees, and immigrants in our countries and communities. The Lord our God loves and defends the cause of orphans, widows, and immigrants (Deuteronomy 10:17-20).
We know that the church of Christ is made up of all races (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 54) and is “not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain people. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world . . .” (Belgic Confession, Art. 27). Together we look forward to the day when God’s holy people from every nation, tribe, and language will worship before Christ’s throne (Rev. 7:9).
Therefore, Christian Reformed congregations are encouraged to welcome, love, and enfold immigrants, refugees, and migrants in our churches, and to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, increased opportunities for immigrants to gain legal status, and dignified treatment of those detained because of their lack of status (see Acts of Synod 2010, pp. 875-79).*
The CRCNA also recognizes the right and duty of civil governments to regulate and manage national borders and immigration processes, and to do so in a way that promotes dignity and treats all people as God’s imagebearers. Our churches are called to respect, pray for, and encourage the civil leaders of our nations, states, provinces, and other municipalities even as we advocate for change (Acts of Synod 2010, pp. 878-79).
Please join in this prayer:
Holy Lord,
We praise you because you are the God who calls people from every nation, tribe, people, and language into one holy, catholic church in all places and throughout all generations.
You told Abram, “Go from your own country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Help us to be obedient to your call to go, whether it is from our city, our province, or our country.
You led Jacob from Canaan to Egypt, where you provided for your people through Joseph in a time of great famine. Give us our daily bread, Lord Jesus, whether we live in a strange or familiar land.
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm you delivered your people from Egyptian bondage into a land flowing with milk and honey. Remind us, Lord, of the deliverance you achieved for us in Christ Jesus—we who were in slavery to sin and bondage to Satan.
Through the faithfulness of a widowed and foreign woman named Ruth, you established a line of kings that led to the birth of Jesus. Where you lead us, we will go, Jesus, and where you stay, we will stay. Once we were not a people, but you have made us your people.
Because of their sins, you scattered the people of Israel and settled them among the pagan nations, commanding them to seek the prosperity of the cities where you carried them. You have called us to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Forgive us our sins, O Lord, and take delight in us again.
You brought magi from the east to witness the birth of Jesus Christ, your Son, and you carried him to Egypt to escape the tyranny of Herod. Save those who are hurting and displaced, O Lord, because of war, famine, crime, natural disaster, and persecution—they cry out to you.
You blessed a Canaanite woman and a Roman soldier for their faith, the likes of which you had not seen even among your people, Israel. Like them, many of us are Gentiles, wild olive shoots grafted into the one true Branch. Draw us near to you, O Lord.
By your Holy Spirit you sent your prophets and apostles to the ends of the earth, proclaiming the gospel to all nations. Send us again your prophets and apostles from all nations, that we may receive them and hear your timeless gospel anew.
Lord God, we confess that we are longing for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven as we await the new heaven and new earth. Help us to share your peace with those who fear, your love with those who are hurting, and your gospel with those who are broken.
Bring healing to our communities and countries through your church. Give our civil leaders wisdom and give us words to support and advocate for the voiceless.
Give us hope as we look forward to the return of your Son and the coming of your heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, where you will wipe every tear from our eyes.
Amen.
*Note: Thrive, World Renew, and the Canadian Centre for Public Dialogue have resources to assist congregations in this area.
