How to Pray for Refugees

Losing a home, your family, and everything that has become memorable in your life is one of the most devastating and heartbreaking tragedies a person can experience. You wouldn’t want even your enemies to experience such traumatic pain in their lifetime. Yet no matter what life may bring, our God is our only refuge and strength in times of distress and struggles. There are untold stories of refugees—the pain and the terror experiences of their past. No amount of human speech or effort can bring back what they lost; that is why your prayers and God’s presence alone can heal them, comfort them, and give them new direction and fresh perspectives in life. 

You are here because you have the heart to pray for refugees. Maybe you know one in real life, or you may have watched the news and become compelled to pray for them. There are many ways for you to pray for refugees:

1. Ask God to give them comfort.

Comfort is such a great need for those who are out of their comfort zones. No material or physical relief can ever fill the void of losing the comfort of your own home. But God, the true source of comfort and peace, is able to give the refugees what they need internally, mentally, and emotionally as you pray unto Him. He alone can supernaturally provide them with this comfort through Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I lift up to you these refugees. I thank You for keeping them safe from harm all this time and for taking care of all their needs. I ask that Your presence give them comfort and peace in times of distress. May they find hope in You and Your Word in Jesus’ name. Amen.

2. Pray for inner strength.

Most refugees are living each day just trying to survive. Some of them may be mentally and emotionally losing hope and vision for their future. Ask God to give them the inner strength to move forward in life and stand up once again as they rebuild their new homes and lives.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I exalt You and magnify You in the lives of refugees. You are our compassionate God Who knows each one of these refugees before they are even born. You have great plans for them, to give them hope and a future. Bless them with inner strength, Abba, and let them know of Your wonderful plans for their lives in Jesus’ name. Amen.

3. Pray for the salvation of their souls.

Knowing Christ, the Truth, and the Father of love is the best and most life-changing gift one can ever experience in a man’s lifetime. The salvation we have found in Christ made our lives as Christians rich, abundant, and full of peace no matter our circumstances. We gained the best relationship with the Eternal One. It is the best prayer you can give to the refugees to know the Lord Jesus Christ and find true salvation in Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lives of every refugee. You have rescued them and saved them from their enemies. As they rebuild their lives in a country foreign to them, I pray for their souls to be saved through Christ Jesus. May they hear and witness the Good News of the Gospel and the Kingdom and become new creations in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

4. Pray for a home that will accept them and love them.

As these refugees are placed under programs, services, and communities in a country foreign to them, pray to God to give them a home that will love them and accept them for who they are. We know that it is not easy for them to belong, especially when new cultures and practices are very different from theirs. Ask God to bless them with divine people and connections to help them in their new life’s journey.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and compassion for the lives of each refugee. You care for them and desire them to have loving homes, families, and friends that will help them heal. Thank You for bringing such good people into their lives, and may they know You as well by these loving people in Jesus’ name. Amen.

5. Pray for godly friends to surround them and help them heal

It is important to be surrounded with not just good people, but godly people who will lead you to Christ and the truths of His Word. You can pray to God to surround the refugees with godly people who will demonstrate the Kingdom of God, the Father’s love, and His grace and truths in Christ Jesus. Knowing God and having a relationship with Him is everything, and refugees need Jesus Christ, especially in these difficult times.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing the refugees with godly friends and people who will guide them and usher them to Your presence and Your Word. I know that You desire them to be saved and know You through Jesus Christ. Thank You for surrounding them with the right people, who will help them in their healing journey through Christ Jesus. Amen.

6. Pray for God’s provision upon their lives.

A refugee may not speak of his personal needs and wants, but each one has needs. Pray to God for provision upon their lives, that they may always be provided with the things they need and even their desires in life as they rebuild.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise You for Who You are. You are a good Heavenly Father who provides for all our needs. As I lift up to you these refugees, thank You for providing for all their needs. You alone know each one’s mind and heart. I pray that You grant the refugees’ needs and even their hearts’ desires. May they find hope in You in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

7. Pray for God’s love to be felt by them. 

To feel loved and accepted by men is enough to lift every negativity and burden you carry. How much more effective this is when you are aware that God’s love is pouring out on you no matter your life’s circumstances? Pray to God that the refugees will feel His love and that their spiritual senses will be opened.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You alone can fill the void in every man’s heart. As I lift up to you the refugees, I thank You for Your tangible presence in their midst. May they feel how much You love them as You draw the right people into their paths. May Your love sustain them and give them hope as they rebuild their lives in Jesus’ name. Amen.

8. Pray for deliverance and healing from their traumas.

Ask the Father to deliver the refugees from their traumas, give them new mindsets and perspectives, and heal them from their past. We know that no human intervention can do this for them, but only God’s through their choices. He alone can deliver and heal them.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I lift up to You every refugee who is being haunted by the terrors of the past. Thank You for delivering them from the works of the enemy and for giving them peace of mind and heart. May the Lord Jesus Christ destroy the devil’s work in their lives, and may they find true light in Your Word and Your presence in Jesus’ name. Amen.

How can we encourage refugees?

There are many ways to encourage refugees besides praying for them. If you have a friend or a refugee neighbor, simply be kind and be the loving neighbor and friend you would want to have for yourself. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Treat them no differently than you would want yourself to be treated. Moreover, you can also be a great encouragement to the community of refugees by donating to programs that help rebuild lives for refugees. You can donate cash online or personally, or you can donate helpful items and necessities that will be of great help. You can also spread the word to your friends and families who might also help the refugees in their needs. If you have spare time, you may also volunteer with services for refugees. No matter what you do, if your heart is to help the refugees in whatever way you can, know that you are a great encouragement to them whether they know it or not. God does know, and He is proud to see His child carrying His presence to people who need so much love, care, and compassion.

There are many other ways to encourage the community of refugees. Just know that you don’t have to do this alone. Try reaching out to a team or a group of people that has the same heart, vision, and calling as you do, and together you can make a significant impact in changing people’s lives, especially the refugees. As a team, you can do fundraising, community programs that aim to help refugees, etc. 

Moreover, if God is leading you, you may welcome a refugee into your home and simply be an amazing vessel of the Father’s love. As your calling for the refugees burns inside you, partner with the Holy Spirit and let Him lead you to help and encourage the refugees. Changing one man’s life impacts the whole nation. Whatever you do for the refugees, your seeds of love will someday grow and harvest great blessings and heavenly rewards.