Prayer Walk for Refugees 2024

This 10 kilometre prayer guide is designed to help you reflect on some of the realities
faced by refugees in our time. Each new kilometre begins with a short reading.
We'd love to hear your stories of how this guide helped you pray.  Please send us a note.
If you want to learn more about the work of IAFR Canada, please visit www.iafr.ca.

---

KILOMETRE #1: YEMEN
According to the UN Refugee Agency, Yemen remains one of the world's largest  humanitarian crises… some 23.4 million Yemenis depend on humanitarian assistance to survive. Escalation of conflict, ongoing insecurity, embargoes and a collapsed economy have pushed an estimated 80% of the population below the poverty line.

The war in Yemen is complicated. It includes a number of factions: the Houthi rebels, who in 2014, took control of much of the north of the country, are backed by Iran, as well as Yemen’s former president and his supporters. They are opposed by a Saudi Arabian led coalition, which includes the USA, the United Arab Emirates, and others. Throughout the years there has also been military action and territorial control by both Al-Qaeda and IS. In addition, civilians have been targeted in many ways, including through the use of child soldiers.

During this first kilometre, pray for peace in Yemen, and for the millions of Yemeni people around the world who are in dire need.

A father and daughter looking over refugee settlements in Lebanon.

KILOMETRE #2: FAMILY REUNIFICATION
Millions of forcibly displaced people around the world have been separated from their loved ones.  Sometimes family members to go ahead and find a safe place with the hopes of eventually bringing their family to join them. However, sometimes separation comes as a result of sudden violence, leaving family members unsure about where in the world their loved ones are, or if they have even survived.

During kilometre 2, try to imagine living with the loss and  uncertainty of family separation. Pray for displaced around the world to find their way safely back to their loved ones, and for a safe place for them to establish new life together.

---

KILOMETRE #3: THREE ROADS TO FOLLOW
There are essentially three roads that a refugee can follow:

1. Return - Go back to their country of origin
2. Integrate - Make their home in the country in which they have sought asylum
3. Resettle - Being chosen to settle in a safe third country

In 2022, of the well over 100 million refugees in the world, only approximately 6% returned to their home countries. That same year, only about 0.105% of refugees were resettled into countries like Canada, United States, or Australia. This is a discouragingly tiny number. It tells us that millions and millions of refugees are forced to remain in neighbouring countries which themselves face significant social, political and economic challenges.

In the end, millions of refugees around the world are stuck - It is unsafe for them to return home, and they have no opportunity to move forward. Integration into a host community is difficult, and often impossible, meaning that people live for years, and sometimes decades, in places like refugee camps.

Pray for the millions of refugees in the world who are dreaming of a better future, that they would somehow find welcome, and would be able to find a safe place to begin anew.

KILOMETRE #4: UKRAINE
May 4, 2024 signified the 800th day since the start of the war in Ukraine. 
800 days.
Although so much time has already passed, let’s remain diligent in prayer. Let’s remember that battles are still waging, drones are still being deployed, territory is still being captured, and diplomacy is still active. It is too easy to become weary in continuing to pray for the same things.

After 800 days are we still asking for peace, for leaders to have wisdom and compassion, for miracles? Let us not grow weary in doing good. Let’s not fall asleep when Jesus asks us to keep watch.

According to the UNHCR, as of April 2024, there were 6,471,600 refugees worldwide who come from Ukraine.

Pray for peace in Ukraine, and for everyone in both Ukraine and Russia who desire peace. Pray for Ukrainian refugees, and for all who grieve. Pray for an end to the conflict, and for hope and refuge for all who have been forced to flee.

Families-carry-their-belongings-through-the-Zosin-border-crossing-in-Poland-after-fleeing-Ukraine_UNHCR_Chris-Melzer

KILOMETRE #5: MOMENTS OF DECISION
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
“Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt. Matthew 2:13-14

Right now, in this moment, millions of individuals and families are facing moments of crisis and decision. Is this the moment to flee? Should I take my family on this dangerous boat? Can this person be trusted? Should I turn right or turn left?

During this kilometre take a moment to try to put yourself in their shoes. What would it feel like in that moment - facing a life and death decision for you and your family? In Luke, God appeared to Joseph and gave him clear direction regarding the way he, Mary and Jesus should go for their safety. Pray for God’s help and clear direction for people right now who are also facing moments of decision.

KILOMETRE #6: PRAY SCRIPTURE
Psalm 86: A prayer of David.
Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me — they have no regard for you. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Pray through this Psalm during your 6th kilometre. Use the words of scripture to guide your
prayers for forcibly displaced people.

Remembering and praying for displaced people on World Refugee Day (June 20) in Hamilton.

KILOMETRE #7: PEACE
War seems to have always been a part of human life on earth. However, if war as a concept seems to endure, we have also seen countless examples of peace overcoming war - of countries and regions embroiled in conflict finally finding peace and rebuilding their nations, their towns and their communities.
According to the World Population Review, here are some of the conflicts currently raging in the world. Some are experiencing civil war, some are at war with another nation, some are surviving acts and threats of terrorism, some are in the midst of drug wars, and some are experiencing ethnic violence.
This is only a partial list. Choose two or three from the list and pray for peace.
● Israel
● Palestine
● Myanmar
● Sudan
● Nigeria
● Libya
● Somalia
● Central African Republic
● Ethiopia
● Cameroon
● Niger
● Philippines
● Burkina Faso
● Mexico
● Syria
● Mali
● Afghanistan
● Pakistan
● Haiti
● Colombia
● Iraq
● South Sudan
● India

---

 KILOMETRE #8: DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been in the midst of war and conflict for more than 30 years. The causes are complicated and include a number of factions. Approximately six million people have been killed since 1996, and more than six million people are internally displaced within the DRC.

In refugee camps throughout Africa and other refugee hosting settings around the world you will find Congolese people who have been forced to flee home and loved ones for their own safety.

During kilometre 8, pray for lasting peace in the DRC, and for healing and transformation for this large, resource-rich country. Pray for the Congolese people around the world who grieve for their homeland.

Children’s art from the Open Homes Hamilton home-hosting project of IAFR Canada.

KILOMETRE #9: CANADIAN HOUSING
It is widely publicized that Canada is in the midst of a housing crisis. Home and apartment rental costs continue to increase, fewer young adults consider home ownership as an imaginable part of their future, and homeless shelters are full throughout the country.

At the same time thousands of asylum seekers continue to make their way to Canada. Fleeing from war, persecution or violence in their home countries, they arrive in Canada with hope for a welcome, a new start, and a positive future. However, often refugees discover that the dream of a new life in Canada is much more difficult than they anticipated.

The cost of living in cities like Toronto or Vancouver is staggering, and not much better in other Canadian municipalities. Refugees and newcomers have also become scapegoats, receiving the blame for this housing crisis. Many refugees have arrived in Canada during the last few years and found themselves living on the streets or in homeless shelters.

Pray for policy makers and politicians in Canada to find wise and just solutions to Canada’s housing crisis that help everyone in Canada, particularly those in the most dire circumstances. Pray that refugees would find safe housing, both upon their first arrival, and for the longer term. Pray that all Canadians would have hearts of welcome and generosity.

KILOMETRE #10: WORSHIP
During your final kilometre, allow Isaiah 11 to inspire your heart towards hope and worship. A new day is coming! Wars will cease, and our stories will find their conclusion in the God of peace and grace. Give God thanks for all he is doing and all he will do.

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD — and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat. the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.