Prayers for Housing and Homelessness

Lord God of all, we pray for our neighbors in need of safe and affordable housing, and for the many families in danger of home foreclosure or mourning the loss of their homes. May we work to build communities that create space for all people to live, not just for the wealthy.

Amen.

-or-

They are on our streets,
On buses and subways, 
In classrooms, in shelters, 
In doorways and back ways, 
Lost, invisible, hungry and hurting. 

Lord God, give us the eyes to see “The least of these,” 
Your children without the security 
Of calling any place “home.” 
That single word would 
Be a gift of the greatest worth, 
A gift they can only imagine. 

Lord God, help us remember “Home” is more than four walls and a roof; 
It is warmth in a cold time, 
It is comfort in a difficult world, 
It is safety for their children.

Lord God, help us know 
To be homeless is a hurt to the heart; 
It constricts the soul, both theirs and ours. 

As we open ourselves 
To your weary children, 
We open ourselves to you. 

Call us all to that place of solidarity, 
Call us all home, Lord God, call us all home.