Every minute, 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution, famine, or terror. These refugees flee their country not knowing if they’ll ever be able to return to the place they call home. They are afraid, alone, and unsure of what the future holds.

Today refugees face yet another threat to their safety – COVID-19. There are more then 70 million displaced people around the world and nearly 90% of the world’s refugees live in developing countries without access to proper health care. They live in densely populated refugee camps and do not have the luxury of social distancing.

Refugees need our prayers now more than ever.

World Refugee Day shines a light on the needs, rights, and dreams of refugees. Held annually on June 20, World Refugee Day is a day to celebrate the strength and courage of refugees in rebuilding their lives while also helping to mobilize resources and prayer so refugees can thrive.

Hope and Healing for Refugees

Many refugees suffer trauma. Having lost everything, they carry deep wounds of the soul and spirit. Bible Societies around the world, together with local churches are helping traumatized refugees encounter Jesus’s peace and comfort through Bible-based trauma healing. Trauma healing is a Scripture-based ministry designed to help wounded people bring their pain to Jesus so he can heal them. Trained facilitators use lessons that incorporate art, stories, and writing laments to help participants engage with God. And God is healing wounded hearts!

An Iranian refugee who recently participated in a trauma healing group in Berlin said, “Before the training, I didn’t know what part of my soul was wounded but here is the beginning of the process of healing for myself and my community.”

We praise God for replacing fear and anguish with his peace. Many refugees from Syria, Iran, Venezuela, and South Sudan are experiencing the beauty of God’s comfort through Scripture. And we hope you’ll join us on World Refugee Day in praying for millions more to find refuge and hope in Jesus Christ.

Let’s Pray Together:

God, we join in global prayer for refugees to be seen, heard, and helped. We pray for an outpouring of compassion that lead to actions that help every refugee. And God we pray for hearts to be healed from trauma through the power of your Holy Spirit.