Pray For…Refugees

Stats
•About 40 million worldwide
•Roughly 50% are children
•Largest source countries of refugees: Afghanistan, Iraq, Burma, Sudan, and the Palestinian Territories

A refugee is one who flees, especially a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution. This threat of danger or persecution arises on account of war; civil unrest; or discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, etc. There are approximately 40 million refugees worldwide, around half of which are children. The number of refugees can differ dramatically depending on the classification used to define a refugee. Internally displaced people (IDP’s) are people who escape the threat of danger by fleeing to another area within the boarders of their country of residence and usually live in similar conditions as refugees. Many refugees are forced to leave their homes quickly unable to gather any belongings and flee to safety in neighboring countries. These immigrants must obtain refugee status and are congregated into communities called refugee camps. Due to the locations of these camps, there is usually a lack of basic necessities until international aide can respond. Shelter in these camps can amount to small tent like structures made out of materials collected or donated by organizations. Sanitation and nutrition are big concerns in refugee camps not to mention education for children. Due to immediacy of leaving their homes, many refugees are left with only the clothes on their backs and any other possessions given to them by organizations or by scavenging. The gospel of Christ is needed greatly amongst these refugees. In some cases, whole camps are populated with peoples who have never heard the gospel while some are inhabited by our brothers and sisters in Christ. Either way, the Word of God bids His people to reach out to ones looking for help and security.

•Ask God to provide for the needs of the refugees around the world.
•Pray for those who have suffered the loss of family, friends, and possessions.
•Pray for the Global Church to minister to refugees for the sake of the Gospel.
•Ask God to move in the situations that have displaced so many refugees.