Message from Bishop Tom Berlin
Bishop Tom Berlin offers the following prayer as a resource for congregations and individuals seeking to bring their grief, hope, and concern before God. Whether prayed during Sunday worship, in a small group or Bible study, or during personal devotion, may these words help guide our prayers for all who are suffering, for communities living in fear, and for leaders entrusted with the work of justice, compassion, and peace.
A Prayer of Lament on Recent Immigration Enforcement Actions
from Bishop Tom Berlin
God of mercy, compassion, and hope,
We come before you with heavy hearts in these painful and troubling days. In Maine and Houston, lives were taken after ICE agents shot individuals during vehicle stops. In St. Augustine, a young man died in a moment of fear and flight during an encounter with ICE and Homeland Security Investigations officers. We grieve these deaths, and we grieve the systems and decisions that have brought so much sorrow in recent months.
We pray also for the driver of the semi-truck in St. Augustine, who was suddenly caught in this tragedy and sought to render aid. Bring healing to his spirit and peace for the trauma he now carries.
We lift before you those who mourn: spouses, children, family members, and friends whose lives have been forever changed. Be near to communities living in fear and uncertainty. Hold close all whose lives have been marked by these events.
O God, hear our cry. Move our nation’s leaders, especially members of Congress, to act with wisdom and compassion for the sake of those who are vulnerable. We pray especially for our Haitian neighbors in Florida, that Temporary Protected Status may be secured so families are not forced to return to conditions of profound instability.
May our grief not end in sorrow alone. Stir us to faithful action. Move us to contact our representatives in Congress, to bear witness to our concern, to call for careful inquiry into these deaths, and to advocate for the protection and care of our Haitian neighbors.
Under the Lordship of Christ, grant us hearts of compassion, courage to seek justice, and the peace of Christ to sustain all who suffer.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church
450 Martin L King Jr Ave, Lakeland, FL 33815
863-688-5563