Last Friday was International Refugee Day. There are more than 50 million people who are displaced. My mind can’t begin to grasp the heartache, and poverty that entails. I have been holding refugees in my heart day all long, and praying. I had the opportunity to spend time at a refugee camp outside of Bethlehem last November. Since I lived in Sri Lanka in 1976, I have been aware of what we First World people have and take for granted. That was reinforced again last year. I had hoped that our Canadian government would have moved more quickly to take in refugees from Syria, and troubled parts of Africa. As Christians we are called to social justice and taking care of our neighbours. Isaiah 16:3 “Make up your mind,” Moab says. “Render a decision. Make your shadow like night— at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees.”
Prayer:
Creator God, my heart is heavy with grief, and I feel at a loss of what to do. When will war and troubles cease? When will hatred turn to love, when will destruction turn to building up? When will families cease to become refugees, torn from the places of their birth? When will they once again be allowed to be buried with their ancestors under their olive trees? Holy One, may your Spirit turn our righteous anger into actions. May we as individuals and communities strive to make a caring community with arms open to others. Heal centuries of animosity and change hearts of hatred so that your love can permeate. We pray that the prophecy of Isaiah may come to pass in our lifetime; “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Please God, let it be so. We give thanks for what we have, and pray for a more equitable sharing of our world’s resources. Amen.
