Dear Jesus, Our journey through life is long and hard. We cannot make this trip alone; we must walk together on the journey. You promised to send us a helper, your Spirit. Help us to see your Spirit in those you send to journey with us. In the refugee family, seeking safety from violence, Let us see your Spirit. In the migrant worker, bringing food to our tables, Let us see your Spirit. In the asylum--‐seeker, seeking justice for himself and his family, Let us see your

O Giver of Justice, fan the flame of our outrage when we would rather turn our heads. Give energy to our anger. Focus us clearly on what is happening. Give us righteous indignation that is guided not by our sanctimony but by generosity. Give us action that is taken not with rage but with honest caring. You have not left us as orphans; help us not to leave others. Propel us. Compel us. And we will give you the thanks and praise. . . . Rev. Dia

May God bless us with discomfort. . . . at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationship, so that we my live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger. . . . at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless us with tears. . . . to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and to turn their

God of vision, we long to see your face and are afraid to see it; We long to break the grip of suffering, and we cannot cast it out. Uncover our faces and expose us to your glory, that we may comprehend the poor in their suffering and insight, and the world may be transfigured in you. [Janet Morley, Christian Aid]

God of power God of people, You are the Life of all that lives, Energy that fills the earth, Vitality that brings to birth, the impetus toward making whole whatever is bruised or broken. In You we grow to know the truth that sets all creation free. You are the Song the whole earth sings, the Promise liberation brings, now and forever. Miriam Therese Winter, Woman Prayer, Woman Song

Lord, you placed me in the world to be its salt. I was afraid of committing myself, afraid of being stained by the world. I did not want to hear what ‘they’ might say. and my salt dissolved as if in water. Forgive me, Jesus. Lord, you placed me in the world to be its light. I was afraid of the shadows, afraid of the poverty. I did not want to know other people. and my light slowly faded away. Forgive me, Jesus. Lord, you placed me in the world to live in community. Thus y

Holy God, on this your new day, in a country that is not our own, we give thanks for life and breath in a world that is yours. Grant us the courage and energy to breathe life into the hidden pockets of our compassion so that we may see with your generous, neighborly eyes what you give us today. Press us onward, God, so that we may listen with our hearts and speak with our hands as we come into contact with each life that crosses our path. We pray in your holy essence, which

“Wherever you go today Whoever you meet, Remember to be kind and gentle, to be thoughtful and gracious, for you know not what burdens others may bear in their hearts Or in their minds Or in their bodies.”

Holy and loving God, guide our travelers and protect them on the journey they are about to take. Watch over them. Protect them from accidents. Keep them free from harm to body and soul. God, support them with Your grace when they are tired. Help them be patient in any trouble which may come their way. Keep them always mindful of Your presence and love and the support of all of those who are praying for them. Amen. Adapted from Faith at Marquette