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Dear City of Light, 

On Sunday I encouraged us to pray this Epiphany prayer regularly throughout this month. You can listen to that message on our podcast here. Download a prayer card here or pick one up on Sunday as we ask the Lord to help us share his good news with others through us this year. 

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

On Sunday I let you know about several ways we can support our immigrant and refugee members and neighbors and be good news for them. Here’s a fuller list of resources:

  • Pray. As ACNA pastor Tish Harrison Warren said on a call with World Relief last weekend, the early church believed that the church in prayer was more powerful than an army. Below are a few prayers to get us started in that spiritual work. 

  • Serve. Join our Good Neighbor team by contacting Erika Solgos at esolgos@gmail.com.Or contact World Relief about other serving opportunities here. 

  • Tell Stories. Use this link to share about your experiences as a refugee or with refugees in your church or community to help advocate for their care. 

  • Give. City of Light will be giving as a church as we launch the Good Neighbor Team. You can also give individually to World Relief here. 

  • Overwhelmed? Here’s a great article on compassion fatigue from World Relief that corresponds to my message about compassion from two weeks ago here. 

PRAYERS

44. in times of social conflict or distress

Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

45. for those who serve others

O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served, but to serve: We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others [especially _________]; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 

A Collect for Refugees and Immigrants:

Heavenly Father, from whom every family on earth derives its name, have mercy on all those who sojourn in this world. As you sheltered your Son Jesus who fled from the tyranny of Herod, so now provide new homes for all those who flee the violence of this age that they may know the peace of Christ. Grace your people with hearts of welcome and lives of courage through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.