From our friend Matt Ham, Pastor at Hope Community Church in Charlotte, NC.
Brothers and sisters, before we pray together, we want to name what many in our city are feeling this week. Increased immigration enforcement has created real fear for many of our immigrant neighbors—fear for families, for children, for work, and for safety. As followers of Jesus, we want to respond not with political arguments, but with the heart of God revealed in Scripture.
And Scripture is unmistakably clear about God’s heart for the vulnerable.
Exodus 22:21 says, “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 10:18–19 declares, “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
Jesus Himself says in Matthew 25:35, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
And Galatians 6:2 exhorts us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Whatever our political views may be, there is no disagreement in Scripture about this:
God calls His people to love the vulnerable, welcome the stranger, seek justice, and bear burdens.
So we turn now to God’s Word and lift our prayers together, trusting Him to be near to the fearful and to shape us into the likeness of Christ.
After each petition, I will say, “Lord, in Your mercy,” and you can respond, “Hear our prayer.”
1. Prayer for Immigrant Families Who Are Afraid
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Father, draw near to our neighbors who are afraid this week. Surround immigrant families with Your protection. Give peace to anxious hearts, courage to the fearful, and comfort to children who do not understand why their world feels uncertain. Be near to the brokenhearted and assure them they are not alone.
Leader: Lord, in Your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer.
2. Prayer for the Vulnerable and the Oppressed
Deuteronomy 10:18–19 “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner… Love the sojourner, therefore.”
God of justice, You love the sojourner. Make us a church that reflects Your heart. Give us compassion, hospitality, and courage to enter into the pain of the vulnerable. Teach us to love our immigrant neighbors as those who bear Your image and dignity.
Leader: Lord, in Your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer.
3. Prayer for Our Sister Churches and Pastors in Immigrant Communities
Romans 12:15 “Weep with those who weep.”
Lord Jesus, bless and strengthen our sister churches in Charlotte whose congregations are largely immigrant families. Give their pastors wisdom, gentleness, and endurance. Empower them to shepherd their people with grace and truth. Help us stand with them, cry with them, and support them as the Body of Christ.
Leader: Lord, in Your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer.
4. Prayer for Leaders, Teachers, and Social Workers
Proverbs 29:7 “The righteous care about justice for the poor.”
Gracious God, we pray for teachers, principals, counselors, and social workers who care for frightened students; for medical staff and nonprofit leaders; for those who labor every day to serve the poor and the vulnerable in our city. Strengthen them with compassion and justice. Let them be instruments of Your mercy.
Leader: Lord, in Your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer.
5. Prayer for Officers and Those Who Carry Out the Law
Romans 13:1, 4 “There is no authority except from God… He is God’s servant for your good… He does not bear the sword in vain.”
Holy God, we pray for all who bear responsibility in enforcing the law — for ICE agents, officers, and officials. You teach us that governing authorities are Your servants, meant to restrain evil and promote what is good. So, we ask that You strengthen those who serve in these roles: give them integrity, courage, and a commitment to true, godly justice. As they carry out their responsibilities, grant them deep wisdom, restraint, and compassion. Help them treat every person they encounter with dignity as those made in Your image. May they uphold justice in a way that reflects Your righteousness and protect people in a way that reflects Your heart.
Leader: Lord, in Your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer.
6. Prayer for Government Leaders
1 Timothy 2:1–2 “Pray… for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.”
Gracious Father, we lift before You those who lead and govern our nation, our state, and our city. We pray for President Donald Trump, for Governor Josh Stein, and for Mayor Vi Lyles. We ask that You grant them humility, wisdom, and compassion. Give them clarity of mind to discern what is just, courage to do what is right, and tenderness toward the vulnerable. Shape their hearts to carry out laws that honor You and protect those made in Your image. May they govern in ways that promote peace, restrain evil, uphold righteousness, and serve the common good.
Leader: Lord, in Your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer.
7. Prayer for Our True Citizenship and the Coming Kingdom
Hebrews 11:16 “They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.”
Hebrews 13:14 “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”
Father, remind us that we are citizens of a better country — a heavenly one. We long for the city You have prepared for Your people, the Kingdom where righteousness dwells, where every tear is wiped away, where there is no more injustice, no more oppression, no more fear, no more stranger or foreigner, but all are one in Christ.
Teach us to live now as citizens of that better country — people of justice, mercy, humility, and love. Help us to long for the day when every wrong is made right, every nation is healed, and every tribe and tongue worships before the Lamb who was slain.
Give us courage and compassion as we wait, and help us bear faithful witness to Your Kingdom until the day Jesus returns.
Leader: Lord, in Your mercy.
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: And now, as citizens of a better Kingdom and children of our Father, let us pray as Jesus our Savior taught us, saying together:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.