Aaron White
5 Min Read
17 June 2020
Every minute, 20 people leave everything behind because of war, persecution or terror*. But we believe in a God who is passionate about justice and the lives of every human being.
For World Refugee Day on 20 June, Aaron White, 24-7 Canada’s National Director wrote this powerful prayer.
Pause and Pray for refugees, today.
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We pray to the God Who Hears…
Hagar, driven from her home and safety, is told that the Lord has heard her misery. Her child should be named Ishmael, a word that evokes “hearing”. (Gen 16:7-11)
God, you still hear the cries of your people.
You attend to the tears, the gasps, the fears, and the hopes of those who have been driven from home and safety.
You receive the whispered and shouted prayers from people on boats lost at sea, from families carrying all they have, from men and women hoping the refugee settlement is safe.
You are blessed by the songs of praise and thanks that resound when people arrive safely in new homes, cities and countries, and when people are able to return home to the lands they love.
You overhear the words spoken by those receiving displaced people, sometimes words of blessing and thanks, sometimes words of burden and curse. (Tune our hearts to blessing.)
God, You hear. Please let the displaced people of the world know that they are heard. And help us to hear them.
We pray to the God Who Sees…
Hagar, desperate in the wilderness, fearful of her child dying, encounters You and calls You “the God who sees.” (Gen 16:13-14)
God, You still see the painful realities of this world.
You are entirely aware of each family that has had to flee their home for safety.
You are witness to each person who has been driven from their neighbourhood, city, or country.
You watch as people try to cross borders, enter and leave refugee settlements, and make long and uncertain journeys.
You take note of people and places who offer welcome and hospitality. And of those who do not. (Tune our hearts to hospitality)
God, You see. Please let the displaced people of the world know that they are seen. And help us to see them.
We pray to the God Who Knows…
In Jesus, You came to experience and know our every suffering, our every struggle, our every temptation, and our every joy. Because of this, we know You can help us. (Heb 2:17-18)
Jesus, You still know the suffering and joy of Your people.
You are familiar with sorrow, betrayal, and the need to flee your homeland for safety.
You know the sacrifice of each mother and father as they try to protect and provide for their children.
You know what it is like to be accused, to be mistrusted, to be unwanted.
Yet You love even your enemies and offer hope and home even to those who killed you. (Tune our hearts to receive Your forgiveness).
Jesus, you know. Please let the displaced people of the world know that they are known. And help us to be known, to know You, and to know our brothers and sisters in this world.
Amen.
Go Deeper: Download prayer guides to pray for the world
FOOTNOTES:
This prayer was written by Aaron White – 24-7 Prayer Canada/ IAFR Canada and has been re-shared with permission.
Read more about the story of the image for this blog on Unsplash
