World Refugee Day is coming up on June 20th. This day was established by the UN to encourage us to pause and reflect on the reality that we live at a time when 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, and gross violations of human rights. The reality is overwhelming.

People often ask me,

What can we do to make a meaningful difference?

Perhaps you've asked this question too?

The next few issues of our IAFR eNews letter, Resilience are going to offer answers to that question. You might be surprised to find how the Bible is filled with practical examples that will help us find answers.

Caring requires us to take action.

We live in a time when it is easy to hear about and see human suffering. It is all over the news and social media.

But hearing and seeing without caring is meaningless. To hear and see suffering and injustice without acting is what it means to have a hard heart.

The Body of Christ must care about the same things Jesus cares about.

In his famous parable about the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, Jesus told hard hearted people to get away from him. (Mt. 25:41) For the Body of Christ must care about the same things Jesus cares about. And caring means to take action – to actively seek the welfare of those in need.

START WITH PRAYER

But how do we pray for refugees?

Prayer is something every one of us can do. But sometimes we don’t know where to begin when praying for refugees and asylum seekers.

I find it helpful to let Scripture inform my prayers. This helps me pray with confidence that I am praying in alignment with the heart of God. There are many Scriptures that can help us pray for refugees and asylum seekers. I’m going to share two of them to help us get started.

One of my favorites is Psalm 107: 4-9

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. God led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

I have often read this Psalm together with refugees and asylum seekers before praying with them. It speaks powerfully into their situation. And it reveals the gospel truth that God sees, hears, and cares for them.

Another favorite passage is Matthew 25:35-36, In which Jesus says,

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Note that Jesus mentions the critical needs and deep longings of those who have been forced to flee their homes and homeland - things like safety, food, water, clothing, medical care, a warm welcome and hospitality from people in their new surroundings, and a visit from someone to break their isolation.

These are all things for which we can pray on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers.

A Challenge

As World Refugee Day approaches, I challenge us all to also ask God for opportunities to partner with him in ways that reflect his kingdom along the refugee highway. For God’s primary way of answering prayer and working in the world is through people like us.

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Stay tuned as I will soon share some more ways that we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of refugees - as exemplified by people in Scripture.