Oh God, Creator, Sustainer of Life and Helper of the pilgrims.  ”Lord, you have been our dwelling place through out all generations” (Psalm 90:1).  I come before you, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest who is able to sympathize for all our needs. Thank you, Spirit of the Living God for your tender mercies and for directing my prayers to the highest glory of the Triune God.

 

I do not fully understand the flight of humans; they are mysterious and too deep to fathom.

 

Today, I specifically pray for the Diasporas, the scattered people in our borderless world. Too many of them are like grains scattered in the vast field, in the world you created. For some of them, they are left with no choice but to leave their homeland because of the forces of nature that have washed away their properties and destroyed their homes. While others, they flee the terrors of war and conflict. Still others leave for the betterment of their lives and advancement of their careers. For reasons I do not know, these scattered people are now separated from their families, isolated from their communities, confused and lonely in a foreign land.

 

I pray for the homeless and uprooted refugees…. Have mercy, Lord.

 

The children caught in the middle of wars and conflict… Protect them, Father.

 

The Women trafficked and sold into the sex industry … Preserve them Almighty God and destroy the work of the enemy.

 

The economic migrants… Who are abused by their earthly masters, maltreated and cheated for their labour… Compassionate God provide for them.

 

The International Students who are future Leaders of their native-land, grant them, Master, their hearts’ desires for academic excellence.

 

The seafarers and fishermen working and living in high seas, protect them from pirates and send your angels to surround their boats and ships.

 

The Scientists in the Space labs and in both poles, North and South, God of comfort, comfort them and their loved ones awaiting their swift return.

 

The Armies and navies in the battlefield and on the seas, may they be peace makers, shield them, Our God.

 

The newly landed immigrants, Lord may they plant roots in their adopted country and be moored in Christian community.

 

Oh God, now I commit the millions of migrants in the new year.  May they find peace, strength, and joy in Christ Jesus as they travel on in our borderless world.

 

This is my prayer, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the friend of the migrants and pilgrims.

 

Amen.

 

Sadiri Joy Tira (D.Min., D.Miss.) is the LCWE Senior Associate for Diasporas; Vice President for Diaspora Missions at Advancing Indigenous Missions (AIM); and Diaspora Missiology Specialist at the Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives at Ambrose University College (Canada).

 

*photo credit:  flickr user: fotosiggi