March 25, 2021  · AMY HECKMAN

The reasons people are displaced from their homes may be varied, but they are all the result of extremely difficult circumstances, including conflict, persecution, climate crises, and extreme poverty. They are seeking safety, opportunity, and a chance to live with dignity. This week, take time each day to pray for the estimated 79.5 million people who have had to leave home.

Day One - Pray that immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers will be treated with dignity and compassion.

Leviticus 19:33-34 When immigrants live in your land with you, you must not cheat them. Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

Day Two - Pray for immigrants as they travel, that they will have adequate food, water, clothing, and supplies for their journey. Those who are fleeing home are especially vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation; pray for their safety and protection.

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 (NRSV) For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.

Day Three - Pray for refugees living in crowded refugee camps around the world. Pray for their access to education, meaningful work, safety, and a fair, reasonable process to becoming legal residents in a safe country.

Jeremiah 22:3-5 The Lord proclaims: Do what is just and right; rescue the oppressed from the power of the oppressor. Don’t exploit or mistreat the refugee, the orphan, and the widow.

Day Four - Pray that Christians will get to know the refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants living in their communities and welcome them with hospitality and kindness.

Matthew 25:35 I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

Day Five - Many refugees and asylum seekers are fleeing religious persecution. Pray that people of faith will care for their brothers and sisters in generous ways.

Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.

Day Six - Pray that we will grow in our love toward all immigrants, seeing them through the eyes of Christ, and then extending His kindness and mercy.

Galatians 5:14 (NRSV) All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Day Seven - Pray for the millions of children who have had to leave their familiar homes to find safety and security, especially those who journey alone. Ask God to provide them with allies who will defend and care for them and to protect them from those who would do them harm.

Isaiah 1:17 Seek justice: help the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.

*Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is quoted from the Common English Bible translation.

Learn more about how local churches are caring for refugees and immigrants here.