Reflection 1 – Displaced People
Good morning; may the Lord be with you.
(Response) And also with you.
For millions of people around the world, normality is not being able to live in their home. From Ukraine to South Sudan this is the reality – living where they can, often in danger and having to cope with terrible conditions.
Two-thirds of people forced from home are still in their own country. Seeking safety but unwilling or unable to leave, they are denied the official protection given to refugees. Torn from their homes, their families and their communities, displaced people are among the most vulnerable to poverty and exploitation.
Christian Aid believe each one of us deserves respect and care, and that all people should be protected from harm and have a chance to rebuild their lives.
In the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 verse 10, Jesus teachers us to ask for,
‘Your (God’s) will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven’.
Supporting charities like Christian Aid can help to build God’s kingdom on earth by bringing justice to displaced people.
-Think about your own home. What can give you give thanks for?
-Think about all the people who are displaced from their homes. Perhaps pray for them today.
Prayer 1
Let us pray,
God of all the nations, so many of your children are crying out to you, worn down by injustice and suffering. Help us to fulfil the goal of helping to make real the vision that Christ spoke of as ‘the kingdom of God’ where justice reigns. Help us to foster compassion one for another, tolerating damage to no one and oppression by no system. Amen.
Reflection 2 – United
Good morning; may the Lord be with you.
(Response) And also with you.
How many times have you achieved more because you worked with others, not just alone?
Poverty and injustice seem impossible problems to solve, but when people around the world stand together to change things it makes a huge difference. Christian Aid always works with local partners to identify needs and understand the problems.
In Amos 5 verse 24, we read,
‘But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!’
-What could you do which will make a difference to the world and make it a fairer place?
-Supporting our Zambia ’24 Project has been an important way of transforming young people’s lives.
-Christian Aid remind us that we can all make a difference – you could pray about it, give money, or even write to the Prime Minister this week.
-Think about how you could work with others for a fairer world.
Prayer 2
Let us pray,
God of the impossible, we pray for justice, peace and reconciliation. When the challenges seem too many, remind us of your resurrection power, and the miracles of your love that happen whenever injustice is dismantled and rebuilt with peace. Help us to believe that the impossible can happen and live as if it might do so today. Amen.
Reflection 3 – Love
Good morning; may the Lord be with you.
(Response) And also with you.
In Matthew 22, Jesus said the two greatest commandments are,
‘Love God with all your heart, soul and mind’ and ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.
Christians believe God showed his love for us in Jesus, and we are called to show love too.
Love is about more than a feeling – it is about action. Our Christian values are all about how to put love into action.
There are more than 40 million displaced people in the world today. They have been largely forgotten by the international community and are mainly in poor countries. The UN is working towards new deals on refugees and migration. Christian Aid and others are campaigning about the importance of including displaced people in these deals.
-How could you put love into action today?
-How could your love be shared with the people you meet?
Prayer 3
Let us pray,
God of reconciliation and grace, you promise us a world where all is new, where love is born when hope is gone, where broken relationships are restored to wholeness. Help us live as people who know your story of love, and have the vision to imagine what could be possible if we dared to live this story. God of abundant
life, may we be witnesses of love, hope and peace in the world. Amen.