For nearly three years, a group of Christians known as the Home Office Vigil Prayer Group has gathered monthly outside the Home Office headquarters in London, just down the road from Westminster Parliament. They have not submitted petitions but have offered prayers for the hundreds who perish each month attempting to reach Europe and the UK. They pray for those making the perilous journeys, for the decision-makers whose policies contribute to these tragedies, for the rescuers, and for the grieving families. Stories of bodies decomposing on beaches, groups drowning in rivers and forests, and numerous lives lost at sea in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the English Channel are all too common.
This dedicated group is not driven by morbid fascination but by a somber recognition of the countless unnamed individuals who die each month. They stand outside the Home Office, where policies are crafted and executed, and engage with the security personnel, who sometimes react with indifference or mild friendliness when offered prayers. Occasionally, they are joined by asylum seekers, though many are understandably hesitant to stand publicly against government policies.
The members of this group come from various organizations like Justice and Peace, the London Catholic Worker, and the London Churches Refugee Fund. They consist of charity volunteers, self-employed individuals, and retirees, typically numbering between 20 and 30 people. They gather during their free time to pray, echoing biblical pleas for divine intervention.
During this period, immigration policies have grown increasingly hostile. Instead of facilitating safe passage and legal asylum processes, the government has drastically increased spending on border protection. This has led to a significant rise in people arriving in small boats, further straining the housing crisis. These arrivals are often placed in substandard accommodations such as barracks, disused airfields, and rundown hotels, with little access to essential facilities. They usually wait over a year to have their asylum claims heard, unable to work during this time.
In a desperate move, the government spent millions trying to establish a deportation process to Rwanda, with plans to involve other countries. Praying sometimes felt futile. Yet, a breakthrough came recently. On July 6th, following the election of a Labour government, the new Prime Minister announced the termination of the Rwanda policy. This unexpected announcement marks the beginning of hoped-for changes, including the end of indefinite detention, a fair asylum application system, safe legal routes for applicants, and the right to work.
This situation feels almost unbelievable, like the Israelites in the desert hesitant to accept good news. Though the group feels powerless globally, Saint Paul reminds them that God’s strength shines through their weakness. Coming together in this acknowledgment brings hope, inspired by the steadfast faith of migrants, often stronger than their own. It’s their duty to recognize and support these small glimpses of hope.