Interfaith Prayers and Petitions For Farmworker Justice

Farmworker Beatitudes

I was hungry, and you said, “We only deal with problems in the city, not in rural areas.”

I was naked, and you looked the other way as you passed me by in your expensive three piece suit.

I was sick with pesticide poisoning, and you never thought of the human cost in the vegetables at your table.

I was homeless, a migrant sleeping in my old car with my family of six, and you refused to see how your board members could make a difference.

I was grieving over my children, who never had a chance to get an education, and you said, “Too bad” and continued with your business as usual.

I was imprisoned, and you said you were sorry, but there was nothing you could do.

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people - make no mistake - you do it to me.
(A reflection based on Matthew 25)

Petitions or Prayers

For the farmworkers who toil in the fields earning sub-poverty wages, without benefits or basic rights enjoyed by most other workers, let us pray to the Lord.

For the liberation and safety of the farmworkers in Florida and throughout the world, who at this very moment, are held against their will in modern-day slavery, let us pray to the Lord.

For Publix and other corporations that buy Florida’s produce to practice social responsibility and value the dignity of the farmworkers in their supply chain more than their profits, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in their Campaign for Fair Food, and all those who are working for justice and dignity for farmworkers, let us pray to the Lord.

For the mindfulness to remember those who harvest our fruits and vegetables and for the courage to partner with farmworkers to work for justice and dignity, let us pray to the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FARM WORKERS’ STRUGGLE

Show me the suffering of the most miserable;
So I will know my people’s plight.

Free me to pray for others;
For you are present in every person.

Help me take responsibility for my own life;
So that I can be free at last.

Grant me courage to serve others;
For in service there is true life.

Give me honesty and patience;
So that I can work with other workers.

Bring forth song and celebration;
So that the Spirit will be alive among us.

Let the Spirit flourish and grow;
So that we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice;
For they have given us life.

Help us love even those who hate us;
So we can change the world.
Amen.

Written by Cesar E. Chavez, UFW Founder (1927-1993)
Cesar E. Chavez Foundation 1741 s. Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90006
213-733-6346 Email: chavezfdtn@igc.apc.org

Prayer of Confession
By The Reverend Jim Boler

God of love and justice, we come seeking your presence and guidance. You ask us to walk with our brothers and sisters and tell us there are no strangers among us. Yet, we still turn against you and do not love one another as we love ourselves. We have sometimes failed to be generous with our time and resources, and have neglected opportunities to treat others with human dignity.

God, in prayer we remember those who today are struggling and organizing for a fair wage for the work they do; those who demand more respect on the part of their bosses and the industries where they work. We join those who seek stronger laws and stronger enforcement against those who would violate workers' rights; and we pledge ourselves to work to end indentured servitude in the fields.

Remind us that you have called us to walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who work in the tomato fields in Florida. We are thankful for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and all other organizations fighting for farmworker rights and dignity.

Hear our prayer, O God. Forgive us and hold us in your loving arms as we seek peace, build community and establish justice on earth.

Amen