Emmanuel United Reformed Church, Cambridge

Prayer for Sanctuary Seekers

O Lord, hear our prayers for all who seek sanctuary,
and for those who strive to provide it.
In the Gospel we read that Mary and Joseph took
the baby Jesus as a refugee to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod.

We pray for all who have had to escape violence and persecution in their own countries and seek refuge in places that are foreign to them.
Some find their way to Britain and the welcome they receive
is not always as friendly or supportive as they had expected.
Sometimes they are met by hostility, disbelief and cruelty.
We pray for the officers of the UK Border Agency,
that they may have integrity, sympathy and humanity
in their questioning and deciding of cases.

We pray for Sanctuary Cities and Towns across the country
and especially for Ipswich Town of Sanctuary.
May those who offer hospitality, those who teach English and
give support in other ways, do so with love and friendship,
so that lives which have been shattered may be healed and restored,
that people who have been traumatised, may regain trust and hope.

Lord, hear our prayers for all who are vulnerable in our society
and especially for all who seek safety and sanctuary.
Show us the part that we can play in this vital ministry.
Lord, hear our prayer. Amen