Immigrants Are a Blessing Litany

Scripture reminds us over and over that God uses “strangers” and immigrants to bring a blessing. Use this litany in your Sunday worship as a way to remember our many brothers and sisters whose immigration status puts them in need of prayers.  Click here to order a free copy of the litany from Faith Alive.

Immigrants Are a Blessing Litany

(A leader, or a group of readers, should read the un­bolded text; the bold is the response of the congregation.)

Abraham and Sarah did not know whether their visitors meant harm or good, still they opened their tent in welcome, and they were blessed. From the stranger, we hear the good news of God's covenant love.

We praise you for the blessing of the stranger.

Boaz saw in Ruth not a project, but a partner. From the stranger, we are given the lineage of Christ.

We praise you for the blessing of the stranger.

The man lay dying on the Jericho road until the strange and reviled Samaritan came to his aid ­sharing his oil and wine. From the stranger, we receive help and healing.

We praise you for the blessing of the stranger.

When the people of Israel were strangers in Egypt, only as valuable as the bricks they produced for Pharaohs' economy, God heard their cry and saved them. When we are strangers, we come to know a God who frees us.

We praise you for the blessing of the stranger.

Christ hides in the face of the stranger, reminding us that "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me." In the stranger, we can experience the presence of Christ.

We praise you for the blessing of the stranger.

We are called in Scripture, again and again, to welcome the stranger and the many blessings that the stranger may bring.

For the immigrant, the refugee, the one we do not know, we give our thanks and praise. The family of God is worshiping you in many languages, and following you in many cultures, all over the world. But the diversity of the family of God has also come right here to this community. May we receive the blessings you bring to us, Lord, through the gift of the stranger.