This article was written in response to what I witnessed and experienced at the San Diego-Tijuana border. The peacemaking trip was organized by The Global Immersion Project during the weekend of October 5-7, 2018.

Dear God…

You say that You hold the world in Your hands

You say that You are King of kings and Lord of lords

You say that I should come to you

With my prayers and praise

 

But I come to You now with an offering of anguish, anxiety, anger

I come to You with questions, with lament beyond words

And praise is hard in the midst of this turmoil inside

 

Why have You turned Your face away from the mothers?

Separated from their children, they are crushed, broken and barren

Why don’t You see the tears of the fathers?

Deported from their homes, they are abandoned, alienated, and emasculated

Why don’t You hear the cries of the children?

Snatched from their families, they are alone, helpless, and forever damaged

Why don’t You stretch out Your hand to the women?

Abused by their own, they are sold, re-sold, and handed-down

Why can’t You tear down the wall?

Built between Your own children, it pulls apart, cuts off, and breaks up

Where is Your authority and sovereignty?

Where is Your rule and government?

Where is Your kingdom come?

 

I lament my own luxury, my lavishness, my liberty

Why do I have in excess when others ache for enough?

Why am I allowed to embrace my family each night when others cannot even know theirs?

Why do I inhabit safe spaces, while others wander through dark and fearful alleys?

My gift: Freedom, fullness, dignity, community, and warmth

Their lot: Fright, brokenness, shame, isolation, and apathy

 

Are they not Yours too, Creator of the universe?

Are You not impartial, Lover of all souls?

 

Their burdens weigh me down

My questions wear me out

And so, I come to You, I must come to You alone

I am human, incomplete, and incompetent

You are God, immutable and infinite

I am a mortal, flawed and foolish

You are God, righteous and omniscient

 

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my intercession.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning.

 

Act on behalf of those who are powerless

Fight for those who are defenseless

Pierce the hearts of those who wage injustice

Begin with me!

Open my eyes, give me the largeness of Your vision

Start with me!

Pour me out, give me the sorrow of Your heart

Translate my pain into praise

Exchange my fears for trust

Turn my lament into action