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Photo: Iraqi children coloring princesses in a refugee camp in southeastern Turkey

Day 4: Fear, Brokenness and Faith

Prayer: Father in heaven, I yield my heart and mind to you. Please help me understand your perspective of refugees and know how you want me to respond.

“We are just like in prison.” -a refugee father

Although they’ve committed no crime, many refugees are placed in camps or detention centers where they are not permitted to move freely. The feeling of imprisonment and rejection can compound their trauma and further undermine hope.

As a young man, David was forced to flee his home and country because King Saul wanted him dead. Like many refugees today, David was forcibly displaced for a long period of time. Although David was a strong and brave man of faith, he still struggled with fear and brokenness. Like refugees today, he cried out to God: “Set me free from my prison!” (Psalm 142:7).

While a refugee, David wrote many songs, some of which we find in the Book of Psalms. Psalm 142 is one such song. It gives us an intimate look into David’s fears and faith while living the life of a refugee.

What did David feel like as a refugee? What kept him from completely losing heart? How might this song help you better understand what it feels like to be a refugee in the world today?