Romans Chapter 12 is thought of as a passage that describes the marks of a true Christian. Verses 9 to 13 say , “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (ESV).
Of all the passages in Scripture, my kids know Romans 12 the best (try memorizing it to a beat). We recite this often as a family because there is so much truth and exhortation towards godly living.
I have modified verses 9 to 13 and applied them to our care for refugees. I invite you to pray through this modified prayer slowly and contemplatively, and then reflect on how God moves you.
Romans 12:9-13, modified:
“Dear Lord, let our love for strangers and sojourners be genuine. We abhor the evil that refugees have had to experience; we hold fast to your goodness in the midst of evil. Help us to love people who are different from us with brotherly affection. Empower us to outdo ourselves in showing honor to refugees and help restore them. May we never be slothful in our zeal to care for the least of these, instead may we be fervent in spirit, serving You. We rejoice with refugees who have found hope in their new situations. We are learning patient endurance with our refugee friends in the trials and tribulations they experience of waiting to return home or be reunited with loved ones or be resettled. Above all, we want to be constant in prayer over the global refugee crisis. May we contribute generously to the needs of our refugee brothers and sisters in Christ—and even beyond to those who don’t follow you—and seek to show hospitality.”
Abba's House 