A thought for Lent. As we prepare for the great feast of Easter why not light a candle at 9pm each evening and spend five minutes in prayer for all asylum seekers and for those who make the decisions which so affect their lives?

Perhaps others in your family, parish or community could join you, or maybe you would prefer just pray alone. You may also like to download a copy of the prayer.

Wise and compassionate God,
help us to bear the burdens refugees and asylum-seekers carry
and not simply seek to shift the burden onto others.
Call our leaders to justice, generosity and compassion.
Help them create and implement strategies that are fair and just
and treat refugees and asylum-seekers with dignity and care.

O God, our comforter, we ask you to comfort the broken-hearted and protect the vulnerable. We pray for those who live in fear of detention and removal, for those who are in detention at this time and for those who face removal to an uncertain future. We ask you to assure them of your great love, surround them with your presence and fill them with your peace.
God bless our eyes so that we will recognise injustices.
God bless our ears so that we will hear the cry of the stranger.
God bless our mouths so that we will speak words of welcome to newcomers.
God bless our shoulders so we will be able to bear the weight of struggling for justice.
God bless our hands so that we can work together with all people to establish peace.
Amen.

Please let us know where your candles are burning: jctc1@hotmail.co.uk

Catherine Ramos