An Invitation to a Virtual Prayer Vigil for Immigrant Neighbors

Over the past few months, many Christian Reformed Church leaders and members have been deeply impacted by the increased immigration enforcement activities taking place across the United States. As a diverse church made up of members from multiple ethnicities, languages, and immigration statuses, the fear and uncertainty being felt in immigrant communities right now is also our own. We hurt because our brothers and sisters in Christ are hurting. 

CRCNA senior leaders and Thrive have been walking alongside affected ministry leaders and congregations, offering prayer, guidance, and practical support. As a next step in this shared journey of care, we’re inviting all congregations and members to join us for a virtual prayer vigil on Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m. EST. This will be a time to hear stories and prayer requests directly from members of CRC congregations who are experiencing these challenges, and to join our hearts together in prayer led by ministry leaders from across the denomination.

We also encourage every CRC congregation to set aside a special time of prayer during worship on Sunday, September 7—lifting up affected communities and praying for justice, love, and compassionate care. To support you in this, we have prepared a congregational prayer based on Psalm 13, which is attached for your use.

As a denomination, we hold to a clear position statement on immigration and migration: while we recognize the government’s authority to regulate immigration and national borders, this responsibility must always be carried out in ways that uphold human dignity and affirm that every person is created in the image of God. We continue to pray that this truth will guide our leaders and shape our collective response—and we invite you to join us in that ongoing call.

You can access the congregational prayer here. If you have any questions about the upcoming vigil, please contact us at [email protected].