The U.S. immigration issue is complex. It is easy for many to get lost in that complexity and not see the image of God in those who are directly affected. We have to recognize that our immigration system is broken \u2014 and being made worse by policies driven by fear and hatred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This prayer book was created in recognition that the situation is darker for the immigrant community in ways we haven’t seen before. There is intentional pain and suffering being inflicted on our immigrant neighbors, both at a local and federal level. The immigrant community is hurting, in pain, and in fear. Real harm is being done. We can no longer turn a blind eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Written and illustrated by Sergio Cortes. Designed by Ashley Cortes. Published by Holy Resistance.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.<\/p> 2 Corinthians 4:8-9<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n For Immigrants<\/p> God, hear our prayers. For Allies<\/p> God, hear our prayers. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.<\/p> Psalm 9:9<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n For Immigrants<\/p> God, hear our prayers. For Allies<\/p> God, hear our prayers. Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.<\/p> Exodus 22:21<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n For Immigrants<\/p> God, hear our prayers. For Allies<\/p> God, hear our prayers. Love your neighbor as yourself.\n<\/p> Mark 12:31<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n For Immigrants<\/p> God, hear our prayers. For Allies<\/p> God, hear our prayers. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.<\/p> Matthew 5:44<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n For Immigrants<\/p> God, hear our prayers. For Allies<\/p> God, hear our prayers. The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.\n<\/p> Luke 4:18<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n For Immigrants<\/p> God, hear our prayers. For Allies<\/p> God, hear our prayers. Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.<\/p> Romans 13:10<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n For Immigrants<\/p> God, hear our prayers. For Allies<\/p> God, hear our prayers.For Immigrants<\/strong><\/td> This prayer book was created to help you cry out to God and to find your peace within God.<\/td><\/tr> For Allies<\/strong><\/td> This prayer book was created so you can join your immigrant neighbors in prayer, as they cry out for God’s provision and protection.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Day 1 \u2014 We Are Not Crushed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nHear our cries for deliverance.
\nHelp our people in this dark time of persecution.
\nWe need you. We depend on you. Give us strength.
\nRemind us of your sovereign power.
\nRemind us that you will never leave us nor forsake us.
\nRemind us of your love.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div>
\nHear the cries of our brothers and sisters.
\nHelp our neighbors in this dark time of persecution.
\nThey need you. They depend on you. Give them strength.
\nRemind us of your sovereign power.
\nRemind us that you will never leave us nor forsake us.
\nRemind us of your love.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nDay 2 \u2014 A Refuge for the Oppressed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nWe pray for our people at our southern border.
\nThat they will be treated fairly and just.
\nWe lift up the children who have been forcibly separated from their parents.
\nWe lift up the families to you.
\nWe pray against the spirit of fear and hatred that claims our border.
\nWe call upon you God, the author of peace and justice,
\nto show your glory at our border.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div>
\nWe pray for our neighbors at our southern border.
\nThat they will be treated fairly and just.
\nWe lift up the children who have been forcibly separated from their parents.
\nWe lift up the families to you.
\nWe pray against the spirit of fear and hatred that claims our border.
\nWe call upon you God, the author of peace and justice,
\nto show your glory at our border.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nDay 3 \u2014 Do Not Oppress the Foreigner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nWe toil, we build, we give, and we do it all for those who are over us.
\nWe do it for pennies, for rations, for scraps, and we do it to survive.
\nWe are exhausted, we are depleted, and we are broken.
\nYet we gain nothing.
\nWe are valued less than human.
\nThey have exploited us.
\nWe cry out for justice! We cry out for deliverance!
\nLead us out of Egypt, guide us out with your mighty hand!
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div>
\nOur neighbors toil, they build, they give, all for this nation.
\nThey do it for pennies, for rations, for scraps, and to survive.
\nThey are exhausted, they are depleted, and they are broken.
\nThey are valued less than human. They have been exploited.
\nThey cry out for justice! They cry out for deliverance!
\nLead them out of Egypt, guide them out with your mighty hand!
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nDay 4 \u2014 Love Your Neighbor as Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nWe pray for our neighbors who are not like us but who love us.
\nWe are grateful for them because they understand us and accept us.
\nPlease Lord continue to give them the courage to speak up on our behalf.
\nGive them the strength and wisdom they need to advocate for our people.
\nLet them know that their words make a difference.
\nThank you Lord that we are not alone.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div>
\nThank you God for opening my eyes
\nto the struggles of my neighbors who are not like me.
\nThank you God for opening my heart to their cause.
\nGod continue to give me the courage to speak up on their behalf.
\nGive me the strength and wisdom that I need to advocate for them.
\nI am making a difference because of you.
\nThank you Lord that I am here for them.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nDay 5 \u2014 Love Your Enemies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nWe pray for our enemies, those who persecute us.
\nGod, please transform their hearts.
\nStop them from transmitting their brokenness to others.
\nWe pray that the spirit of peace and love will fall upon them.
\nRemind us that as you want to set the oppressed free,
\nyou also want to set the oppressor free through your son Jesus Christ.
\nHelp us lift our anger to you instead of directing it towards others.
\nFill us with compassion and strength when we think of our enemies.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div>
\nWe pray for those who persecute our neighbors.
\nGod, please transform their hearts.
\nStop them from transmitting their brokenness to others.
\nWe pray that the spirit of peace and love will fall upon them.
\nRemind us that as you want to set the oppressed free,
\nyou also want to set the oppressor free through your son Jesus Christ.
\nHelp us lift our anger to you instead of directing it towards others.
\nFill us with compassion and strength when we think of the enemies of our neighbors.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nDay 6 \u2014 Proclaim the Year of the Lord’s Favor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nWe pray for our local and national leaders.
\nLeaders from every walk of life, from every sector and every industry.
\nWe pray that you call upon them to repair and heal our broken immigration system.
\nWe pray that they will use their authority to protect and defend us.
\nRaise up faithful leaders and remove those that refuse.
\nPlace in the hearts of men and women to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div>
\nWe pray for our local and national leaders.
\nLeaders from every walk of life, from every sector and every industry.
\nWe pray that you call upon them to repair and heal our broken immigration system.
\nWe pray that they will use their authority to protect and defend our neighbors.
\nRaise up faithful leaders and remove those that refuse.
\nPlace in the hearts of men and women to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nDay 7 \u2014 Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nWe pray for the church in the U.S. to love our community in ways we haven’t seen before.
\nWe pray that the church will mobilize to advocate for us.
\nWe pray that the church will not be bound by politics,
\nbut be liberated in the freedom that is found in Jesus Christ.
\nA freedom that moves the church to confront injustice and to seek the wellbeing of our people.
\nWe believe that the church can still be a light in the darkness.
\nWe ask that the church will shine upon our community.
\nHelp us educate and equip the church on how to respond in times like these.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div>
\nWe pray for the church in the U.S. to love our neighbors in ways we haven’t seen before.
\nWe pray that the church will mobilize to advocate for our neighbors.
\nWe pray that the church will not be bound by politics,
\nbut be liberated in the freedom that is found in Jesus Christ.
\nA freedom that moves the church to confront injustice
\nand to seek the wellbeing of our neighbors.
\nWe believe that the church can still be a light in the darkness.
\nWe ask that the church will shine upon our immigrant community.
\nRaise up leaders in the church.
\nIn Jesus’ name, amen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nFurther Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Organizations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Books to Read<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Follow for Current Updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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