Praying for Refugees: 4-Day GuideНамуна

Day 1 – Praying for refugees: Acceptance

Acceptance: "The process or fact of being received as adequate, valid, or suitable."

Reflection

One of the core needs of the human soul is a sense of belonging—to know we have a place. Unfortunately, the flip side of this universal human experience is that we all have moments when we feel like we don't fit in.

Accepting others despite differences can be surprisingly difficult. The unknowns and dissimilarities are distressing. Yet, as followers of Christ, we know that loving and accepting others is a consistent theme in the New Testament.

In Romans 15, Paul cuts through our resistance and excuses by connecting our acceptance of others to our acceptance in Christ. Acceptance not only heals our hearts but also transforms our souls. That transformation is meant to extend beyond our lives and impact how we see and engage others.

Accepting others doesn't require us to abandon our personal values and beliefs, but it does require us to abandon our ego and minimize our need for comfort. It requires us to remember, ultimately, that we aren't defined by what we do but by what God has done for us and to live from a position of gratitude.

Prayer

The place to begin is right where you are. Commit to meeting with God, asking him to share his heart for the foreigner with you.

Father, thank you for the blessing and privilege of calling you "Father." Before I was acceptable, you welcomed me and, in doing so, changed me. Your love for me shapes and empowers me to be love in this broken world. Help me each day to recognize that my acceptance before you isn't based on my merit but on your grace. Give me eyes to see opportunities to express your love and grace to others. Help me cultivate a heart for those brought to this country through difficult, traumatic circumstances. Make me a vessel of your compassion, goodness, and acceptance. Amen.