“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the
native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in
the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:34 ESV)
It is impossible to turn on the TV this week and not see
images of Syrian refugees, or people protesting in front of airports, or
politicians holding press conferences. There is no question but that refugees
and immigration are the topics of the day, but as we see in the quotation from
Leviticus, it is not a new topic.
This past week I was pleased to work with the Anglican
Immigration Initiative (a Provincial Task Force that I chair) in helping
Archbishop Beach put out a call to prayer for the Province. I’ve reprinted that
below and invite you, in your homes and at church, to pray the collects offered
by our Archbishop. There is no question that whatever response we have to this
crisis, it should begin and end in prayer!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As a province that spans Canada, the United States, and
Mexico we face unique challenges on issues affecting refugees and immigration.
I am thankful for our congregations that are a part of the Anglican Immigrant
Initiative. They have taken the lead in caring for those in our communities who
are refugees and immigrants, showing the love of Christ to the most vulnerable.
This week, I encourage you to follow their example, and make
a special effort to reach out to refugees and immigrants in your local
community. In these divisive times, we
have the opportunity to demonstrate a compassion that builds bridges, and
overcomes fear.
In our province we also have lawmakers who face a different,
but related set of challenging moral issues.
As public servants, they are called to carefully discern how best to
respond to the global humanitarian need while also maintaining the appropriate
role of government in protecting its citizens. There are no easy answers to how
our nations should balance these priorities, and our leaders need your prayers.
In light of the Syrian refugee crisis, changes in US
immigration policy, and the way those changes will affect us all, I ask you to
join me in prayer. Please pray for the
poor, the refugee, and all immigrant families whose lives are made more
complex, and sometimes more desperate by these events. Please also join me in praying for all those
in positions of public trust who seek wisdom in the formation of the laws and
policies of our respective governments.
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.
A Collect for Government Leaders:
O Lord our Governor, whose glory fills all the world: We
commend our nations to your merciful care, that we may be guided by your
Providence, and dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the Justin, Prime Minister
of Canada, Donald, President of the United States, and Enrique, President of
Mexico, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your
will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them
continually mindful of their calling to serve the people in reverent obedience
to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Most Reverend Foley Beach
Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in North
America
Thirty-nine
Articles of Religion
XII. Of Good Works
Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and
follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity
of God's judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and
do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith insomuch that by them a
lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.
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