Praying for refugees, immigrants and war zone victims

Every minute, 25 people somewhere in the world leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. There are currently 70.8 million forcibly displaced persons globally. We pray for these refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons as well as those leaving home because of natural disasters, unemployment or the desire to build a better life.  

The components that make up this worldwide crisis are so numerous that the situation seems hopeless. Even trying to supply basic needs to those involved can be overwhelming. Ours is an unstable world in need of a Savior who brings peace and redemption. Jesus, who is that Redeemer, was himself an outcast in his native land. He united Jews and Gentiles (frequently warring people groups) through the cross, breaking down the wall of hostility that separated them (Eph. 2:14). And he wants to bring this same redemption to our world today. 

We do pray for God to give governments and relief agencies the wisdom, resources and strategies to help rebuild the lives of those displaced. We pray for Christians to lovingly embrace these newcomers – to be their interpreters, language teachers – and to walk alongside them as they learn to navigate a new culture. He desires us to loose the chains of the oppressed, share our food with the hungry and provide shelter to the poor wanderer (Isa. 58:7-8). 

But only our Father can minister holistic healing to these hurting individuals, restoring children who have seen their families murdered and mending the souls of women who have been raped while fleeing their homes. Pray for those in need to call out to God, who sees their trouble and understands their grief. Ask that these victims commit themselves to God, the helper of the fatherless (Ps.10:14). 

Amid so much chaos, God is rebuilding lives and bringing hope. Through a multitude of individuals and organizations, God is placing SD cards with the gospel message into refugees’ hands, along with food and clothing. Immigrants are being welcomed into church communities worldwide. By June 2020 in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, a TWR radio station will begin broadcasting the Word of God through life-giving radio programs such as Women of Hope. Our local Kenyan team is hoping to distribute prayer calendars to women in the camp as well. 

Despite this global humanitarian crisis, the Church of Jesus Christ is being continually renewed as God brings light and life to the most vulnerable.