Lent Day 22: Prayer | for those Experiencing Homelessness

Portrait by Henri Fuseli

Pause and behold. Behold this face, in the portrait above, as representative of the faces of the many who last night experienced a precarious home, uncertain safety, and for whom comfort remains longed for. And imagine God beholding each face, each life, each story with fierce love.

Every Saturday of Lent is dedicated to bringing these complex problems of our times to God, because they are so much bigger than our minds and hearts can hold. And rather than disengage, become calloused, or despair, we choose action in prayer.

Here is a communal prayer that was written for a parish to pray together. A small group or a bible study can dedicate time to learning about these topics using this week’s content and conclude by praying this together. Save this to share with your parish leaders.

As most of us are reading this on our own, we recommend reading and praying this aloud. Extend your hands imaginatively over those for whom you are praying, and then speak out the response by opening your hands before the Lord in a receiving posture. If there is a phrase or a sentence that stands out, copy it down and put it up on your fridge or computer pad to remind you to pray again.

A Litany for those Experiencing Homelessness*

Written by Simon Kenyon and Bill Walker III, adapted from the Good Sam Institute

Holy God, we pray for [local ministries] and other churches engaged in witnessing and serving the homeless community. Anoint them to be faithful witnesses to Christ and His mercy. Grant them wisdom to know how to effectively befriend and help each individual they come into relationship with.

In your mercy, Lord;
Hear our prayers.

For those living on the streets, whatever the cause, whether family breakdown, addiction, loss of work, rebellion, mental illness, disability, or housing costs, Lord would you intervene and bring healing. Grant the gracious gift of repentance where needed, provide jobs for those seeking work, provide healing in broken families, and provide professional help for the mentally ill.

In your mercy, Lord;
Hear our prayers.

Lord redeem the hearts and futures of those lost and without hope on the streets. Give them the hope of eternal life, and the saving beauty of divine friendship. Grant them also strong and godly relationships.

In your mercy, Lord;
Hear our prayers.

For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent; for those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in.

In your mercy, Lord;
Hear our prayer.

For the vulnerable on the streets, we ask that you grant them physical protection. Particularly we lift up the women and the young, so often exploited and traumatized. Be their protector Lord.

In your mercy, Lord;
Hear our prayer.

Grant your people the grace to see beyond surface characteristics of those living on the streets, to see their heart and the image of Christ in them. Give us also the courage to be faithful witnesses of your Gospel, and to overcome our own discomfort when interacting with people outside of our own culture and comfort zone.

In your mercy, Lord;
Hear our prayer.

*This litany is available for download here.