Praying for Refugees

Welcome to this page dedicated to praying for refugees during times of gathered worship. Our prayers are a powerful way to seek justice and open our hearts to those who have been uprooted from their homes.

These resources are designed to equip you to lead prayers for refugees in a meaningful and transformative way. The prayers are structured around three simple yet profound terms:

  • THANK YOU: prayer ideas to reflect on our own safety, and to thank God for the presence, gifts and contributions of refugees
  • SORRY: prayer ideas to say sorry to God for the times when we have not welcomed the stranger
  • PLEASE: prayer ideas to intercede for refugees and ask God for inner transformation

The prayer ideas invite a deeper connection to the plight of refugees, providing space for our hearts to break for the forced displacement of God's image-bearers.

This is not about an issue 'over there'.

This is God's work of reconciliation.

And we're invited to join in.

 

a photo of a group of people around a table, enjoying a meal, with the words 'praying for refugees thank you'

'Thank You' Prayers

Prayer ideas to reflect on our own safety, and to thank God for the presence, gifts and contributions of refugees.

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a photo over the shoulder of a man reading a newspaper, with the headline 'praying for refugees thank you'

'Sorry' Prayers

Prayer ideas to say sorry to God for the times when we have not welcomed the stranger.

download

a photo of a man hugging his daughter in a refugee camp, with the words 'praying for refugees please'

'Please' Prayers

Prayer ideas to intercede for refugees, and to ask God for inner transformation.

download

three documents layered on a dark background

Compiled Prayers

An easy download of the 'thank you', 'sorry' and 'please' prayers, compiled into one document.

download

Many thanks to Ben Still, The Salvation Army's Refugee Response Manager, for writing these prayers.

 

a photo of two girls in front of a man holding his young daughter

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Discover More

The Salvation Army's International Positional Statement on Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

Supporting and resourcing local expressions of The Salvation Army to help people seeking sanctuary.

Consider your response to social issues.

This year, corps are invited to pray for refugees during gathered worship, in a meaningful and transformative way.