Prayer for the World September 30, 2026
Immigrants and Refugees
Introduction: Last Sunday, September 27, was World Day of Prayer for Immigrants and Refugees. Today we continue that prayer, for their needs and for a just and compassionate response to their presence among us.
Song: The Feast Meant for Everyone by Tom Booth & Sarah Hart
Bread for the immigrant, bread for the poor
Bread for the hungry who beg at our door,
Food for the outcast waiting to belong;
Come to the feast meant for everyone.
Bread for the sheltered, bread for the rich;
Those who need nothing but all Jesus is.
Food for all people, empty, we all come;
Come to the feast meant for everyone.
Oh, how great is the love of God in this
Body broken, this saving blood.
Oh, how great is the love of God
Here in the feast meant for everyone.
Here in the feast meant for everyone.
Drink for the brother thirsting for more;
Drink for the sister, who’s run out of hope.
This cup is healing more than just enough.
Come to the feast meant for everyone.
Oh, how great is the love of God in this…
Gather the sinners, gather the saints,
All souls in heaven and here in this place.
This is the table where we are made one,
Here in the feast meant for everyone.
Oh, how great is the love of God in this…
Focus for Our Prayer
The Church’s dedication to caring for immigrants is explained by Pope Pius XII when he wrote that the Holy Family of Nazareth, fleeing into Egypt, is the archetype of every refugee family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, living in exile in Egypt to escape the fury of an evil king, are the models and protectors of all migrants, aliens and refugees of whatever kind, who are compelled by fear of persecution or by want, to leave lands and to seek a foreign soil.
In the words of Bishop Rhoades, Fort Wayne/South Bend Diocese, in reference to Catholic Charities, “Our work begins when someone in humanitarian need arrives at our door. … We will remain steadfast in our mission to serve all those in needs as Christ calls us to do. … We will show up—with courage, compassion, and unwavering faith—to serve His glory, not our own.”
May that be our pledge as well, as Christians, to show up for our immigrant brothers and sisters in whatever ways we can e.g., writing government officials calling for humane and just treatment of immigrants and refugees and praying for their needs.
Silent Reflection and Prayer
Intercessions
For all migrants, refugees, asylum seekers everywhere in our world – we pray.
For those who lovingly welcome immigrants and refugees and provide legal and social services for them, especially for our partner in mission, The Florence Project in Arizona and Catholic Charities – we pray.
For governments as they seek wisdom to secure their borders while providing respectful and humane treatment for immigrants and refugees – we pray.
And finally, we pray in thanksgiving for the 100’s of people who gathered last Sunday in prayerful support of the 800 men being detained in the detention facility at Miami Corrections, located near Peru, In – we pray.
Lord Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God's family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war.
Lord Jesus, help us by your grace,
To banish fear from the hearts of those who are fearful, that we may embrace each of your children as our own brother and sister;
To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs;
To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice;
To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us;
To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.
We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of the one Most Holy Trinity in whom we make our prayer: Amen.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Silence
Song