Prayer points for refugee crisis

• Pray for those who have and are fleeing their homes into an uncertain future.
• Pray for Christian Aid partners working in Iraq and Lebanon.
• Pray for Christian Aid’s ACT Alliance partners working in Greece and Serbia.
• Pray for those in authority to make wise, cooperative and compassionate decisions.
• Pray for change and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria and places around the world affected by conflict.

Theme: Change the story

‘For the Lord your God…executes justice for the orphan and the widow,
and who loves the strangers, providing them with food and clothing.
You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.’

Deuteronomy 10:18-19

For you have been a refuge to the poor,
a refuge to the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
the song of the ruthless was stilled.

Isaiah 25:4-5

Psalm 16 – Sunday, 26 June

Loving God,
protect all seeking refuge.
May the boundary lines be lifted
and fall once more in pleasant places.
Give fearful hearts reason to be glad,
weary souls cause to rejoice
and exhausted bodies a place to rest secure.
Lead us together on the path to life
as we share from your abundance
so all may know the fullness of joy.
Amen.

Christian Aid, 2016

When did we see you a stranger and welcome you?
Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.

Matthew 25:38-40 

Lord, who changed the story
from stranger to sibling,
equip us to change the story.

From frustration to freedom,
for those stuck in refugee camps.

From panic to peace,
for those separated from families.

From trafficking to safe passage,
for those on perilous journeys.

From despair to hope,
for hearts weary with grief.

From worry to hospitality,
for minds uncertain of change.

From crisis to opportunity,
for countries providing a home.

From foreigner to family,
as we were welcomed by you.

May we never miss meeting your gaze,
in the eyes of our sibling, the stranger.
Amen.

Christian Aid, 2016

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
provide for all seeking refuge from famine.
God of Hagar, Joseph and Moses,
liberate all seeking refuge from slavery.
God of Esther, Naomi and Ruth,
strengthen all seeking refuge as families. 
God of David, Elijah, and Jeremiah,
protect all seeking refuge from conflict.
God of Ezekiel, Ezra and Nehemiah,
comfort all who are longing for home.
God of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
journey with all seeking refuge today.
In the name of the One who was
both refuge and refugee.
Amen.

Christian Aid, 2016

Psalm 43:2,5

You are the God in whom we take refuge; 
yet many have been cast off,
cast into the depths of the sea.

You are the God in whom we take refuge;
yet many have had to walk so far,
mourning for family and longing for home.

You are the God in whom we take refuge;
yet many are oppressed by conflict,
refused safe passage and the refuge they need.

You are the God in whom we take refuge:
so to you we bring our downcast souls,
disquieted by questions, we refuse to be silent.

Be our hope and our help
as we seek to provide the answers
of welcome and hospitality for all.

You are the God in whom we take refuge.
Amen.

Christian Aid, 2016

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ 

Luke 10:36

Storytelling Lord, give us ears to hear,
and to not only be hearers but also doers of the word,

to not only ask who our neighbour is
but also ask how we might be a neighbour.

May we never ever pass by on the other side,
no matter what it costs us.

May we only ever be the one who shows mercy
to those robbed of all life held dear.

May we always go and do likewise.

So help us, God.
Amen.

Christian Aid, 2016