A Prayer for Refugees

Images of a young Syrian toddler who drowned trying to escape violence and unrest are circulating on social media. Every time I see that picture I see my son, and my heart breaks. I want to scream; I want to curse the power brokers of our world. Instead, I’m going to try to give voice to a prayer. Others realize how difficult this is:

For when we open social media, see images that we can’t unsee; that the Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. #SyrianRefugees

— Unvirtuous Abbey (@UnvirtuousAbbey) September 3, 2015

Even so, I must try…

God,
We don’t know what to say to you right now.

We’re mad…
    that we live in a world where violence rules.
    that maniacs destroy innocent lives trying to maintain power.
    that refugees live uncertain lives, hated and forgotten by most of the world
        for no fault of their own.
    that little boys and girls who can barely walk, drown while seeking safety
        from guns, from rape, from war. 

We’re inconsolable…
    because this precious life was taken too soon.
    because this isn’t an outlier.
    because this is normal.
    because life matters, and our world seems too adept at taking it away.

We feel hopeless…
    at the fact that we seemingly have no power to stop this.
    at the fact that those who do have power seem unwilling
        to use it properly.
    at the fact that at times we wonder where you are in all of this.

Even so, we pray. We know that you are with us. We know that you were the only one with the precious little boy as he breathed his last. While the powers and principalities of darkness were fighting over borders and resources and power, you were holding this, and all refugees, in your arms.

In our absence, you were there.
    Comforting…
        Weeping…
            Raging…

Awaken us from our slumber
    remind us that life is precious
    and must be defended.

Imprint the image of that child, and all the others with him,
    on our minds
    on our hearts
And give us courage to stop the madness now. 

After all, the Gospel you gave to us was not delivered in a vacuum.
    and you preached about loving our neighbor as ourselves.
    and you preached about peace.
    and you preached about serving all people as if we were serving you.
    and then you died on the cross so that we wouldn’t forget your message. 

Tonight, as I hug my dear son and give him a kiss goodnight,
    remind me to say a prayer for the refugees for whom
        a loving touch
            a kind word
                and a holy kiss
    is non-existent. 

Then, as we wake in the morning…
    Give us the courage to do something about it. 

Amen.