Prayer 1958: inspired by Matthew 14:13-21

Two little girls sleep in a detention center in Nogales, Arizona run by the US government in 2014. Photo from this article, Forst peek: Immigrant children flood detention center," June 18, 2014, at https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/immigration/2014/06/18/arizona-immigrant-children-holding-area-tour/10780449/.

For peace, we pray to you, Lord God:
accept and consecrate our hands and our hearts,
offered to you today to assist your holy work as your disciples.

Blessed Jesus, you mulitplied the loaves and fishes
that all who came to your disciples hungry would be fed,
with much left over:
renew our steadfastness to your gospel of abundance,
that we may tend each other in love and tenderness.
Lord, you have commanded us
to care for the hungry, the outcast, the homeless:
purify our hearts to hear again your word,
that it may fall like seed upon good soil,
that righteousness and justice may flourish within us.
May we overcome evil with good in your Name,
O God of Mercy, O Undivided Trinity,
empowered by your Holy Spirit,
nourished by your Word and sacraments.

Holy One, we place ourselves into your care,
trusting in your grace and mercy always:
extend the awning of your comfort and blessing
over those whose needs we lay before You as we pray.

Amen.

Children warehoused in a detention center in 2014 in Arizona-- photo from the article cited above: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/immigration/2014/06/18/arizona-immigrant-children-holding-area-tour/10780449/