A Prayer for Refugee Week 2026 written by Charles Louwrens
Inspired by the Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)
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Oh, Rock of our Refuge and our Hiding Place, the God who sees the oppressed and the displaced, the One who hears the cries of refugees and those seeking safety;
Oh, that You would bless us indeed! – bless those who stand in solidarity with people fleeing persecution, violence, and danger. Bless the hands and hearts of advocates, lawyers, and supporters working for justice and protection.
Enlarge our territory – expand the reach and impact of our work, advocacy for justice and safe refuge, so that more lives may find safety and peace, more stories may be heard, and more futures restored under the shelter of Your wings.
Let Your hand be with us – guide our advocacy, strengthen the words in our public discourse, articles, submissions and hearings; sustain us through, administrative challenges, delays and bad policy; empower us to uphold the law, human dignity, and international obligations. May Your presence go before us as we seek justice for the vulnerable and work toward family reunification and permanent settlement.
Keep us from harm so that we will be free from pain – protect us from cynicism, burnout, despair, and the weight of vicarious trauma that comes from bearing witness to so much suffering. Guard our families and communities, keep our hearts tender and our integrity strong, so that we may serve as instruments of Your healing and bearers of Your light, and may we never add to the suffering of those we seek to help.
Lord, during Refugee Week, stir Your Church and our nation to see Your face in the stranger, to open our lives and borders more widely, and to pursue a more just world where all people can find a safe place to call home. May Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, where the refugee is offered safe haven, the fearful are at peace, and the weary find rest.
In the name of Jesus Christ, who Himself was a refugee, we pray. Amen.
If you share this prayer please acknowledge Charles Louwrens as the author/writer.
Charles Louwrens is a senior lawyer providing compassionate legal support and help those navigating Australia’s complex immigration system.