A Prayer for Refugees--May 16, 2019

Gracious God,

redeem refugees from hands too strong for them,

lead prisoners of poverty and persecution

out into a home in which to live.

Turn their mourning into joy,

comfort them; give them

gladness for sorrow.

When they arrive, see to it

that no one takes them captive again

through harmful philosophy or empty deceit.

Before we criticize them, make sure

we are not guilty of what we

accuse them of doing.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 47; 147:12-20; 68; 113

Jer. 31:1-14

Col. 2:8-23

Luke 6:39-49

Selected Verses

Ps. 68:6

God gives the desolate a home to live in;
          he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
          but the rebellious live in a parched land.

Jer. 31:11, 13b

For the LORD has ransomed Jacob,
          and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him…

I will turn their mourning into joy,
          I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 

Col. 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.

Luke 6:43

"…Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye."

-->
-->