McAllen
A children's detention center in McAllen, Texas. Photo from Customs and Border Protection.
God of All Children Everywhere,
Our hearts are bruised when we see children suffering alone.
Our hearts are torn when we are unable to help.
Our hearts are broken when we have some complicity in the matter.
For all the times we were too busy and shooed a curious child away, forgive us, oh God.
For all the times we failed to get down on their level and look eye to eye with a child, forgive us, oh God.
For all the times we did not share when we saw a hungry child somewhere in the world, forgive us, oh God.
For all the times we thought about calling elected officials to demand change, but did not, forgive us, oh God.
For all the times we thought that caring for the children of this world was someone else’s responsibility, forgive us, oh God.
With your grace, heal our hearts.
With your grace, unite us in action.
With your grace, repair our government.
With your grace, help us to find a way to welcome all children everywhere,
That they may know that Jesus loves them,
Not just because “the Bible tells them so,”
But because they have known your love in real and tangible ways,
And they know that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate them from your love.
Amen.
— This prayer was provided by United Methodist Global Ministries.