Posted 08 June 2023

Each year in June, we remember the people who have been forcibly displaced around the world during Refugee Week.

Our team mate Vicki has used the Psalms and other Bible verses to craft a prayer that we believe reflects God’s heart for those who are oppressed and seeking refuge.

We encourage you to use the prayer below in your own prayers and encourage your church to remember those forcibly displaced people by using this prayer (or in some other way) on 18 or 25 June 2023. 

A
Prayer for
 THE GLOBAL 100 MILLION 
(Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons)
& 
& 1128 people in AUSTRALIAN Immigration Detention Centres (IDCs)

(Based on Psalm 146:7-9, Psalm 142, Proverbs 31: 8-9, James 2:15-16, Mark 12:31)    

LORD, YOU UPHOLD THE CAUSE OF THE OPPRESSED
    and give food to the hungry.
LORD, you set prisoners free.

    LORD, you give sight to the blind.
LORD, you lift up those who are bowed down.
    LORD, you love the righteous.

      LORD, you watch over the foreigner
   and sustain the fatherless and the widow,
    and frustrate the ways of the wicked.
Psalm 146:7-9

WE CRY ALOUD TO YOU LORD   
We lift up our voices to you LORD, for mercy. 
We pour out before you our complaints;
before you we tell our troubles.

When the spirit of those “100 MILLION 
without refuge” grow faint within them
it is you who watches over their way. 
In the path where they walk
people have hidden a snare for them. 
Look and see, there is no one at their right hand; 
no one is concerned for them.
They have no refuge;
no one cares for their lives.

We cry to you, LORD;
We say, “You are their refuge, 
their portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to their cry
for they are in desperate need;
Rescue them from those who pursue them,
for they are too strong for them
Set them free from their prisons, and deliver them
that they may praise your name. 
Then the righteous will gather about them
    because of your goodness to them.
Psalm 142

 EMPOWER US LORD
We ask for courage to speak up for those 
who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.

We ask that you help us to speak up and judge fairly;
    to defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Prov 31: 8-9

HELP US TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOURS 
as ourselves here in Australia and overseas.
Forgive us when we have no compassion in our hearts, 
    and help us to be generous.
Mark 12:31

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 
And we say to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” 
without giving them the things needed for the body, 
    what good is that?
James 2:15-16

So, guide us in sharing your love in word and action.

We pray, in Jesus Name 
AMEN

Adapted from The Holy Bible NIV 
by Vicki Roberton Refugee Support Worker – Sydney Refugee Team

Click here to download the prayer in printable pdf
Click here to support Sydney Refugee Team

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