This week is Refugee Week. 

I’m sure most people were happy to hear that the beautiful Nadesalingam family were able to be released from detention and go back to their loving town of Biloela recently.  Their five year old daughter had her first birthday that was not in detention the day after the family arrived back in town. I am so proud of the Australians in that town and how they are so welcoming and loving towards this Sri Lankan family. It is an inspiration for wider society.

Jesus was a refugee. 

Matthew 2

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Would the government have kept Jesus in detention for 5 years? Maybe.

Actually, they already have.

Matthew 25:40

“.....whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Let’s pray for refugees in Australia and around the world, not forgetting the terrible humanitarian crisis that is engulfing Ukraine and many other countries. 

For the 19,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia on

temporary protection visas and safe haven enterprise visas: That they may

be granted permanent residence in Australia so that years of uncertainty

and fear may end and they can begin to confidently plan their futures.

We pray to the Lord

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

For each and every one of the 217 people still waiting offshore in Papua

New Guinea and Nauru: That their many years of anxiety and suffering will

end soon with the provision of viable resettlement options.

We pray to the Lord

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the many refugees around the world waiting to find a place of safety

and freedom: That their need for certainty and security will be met with

generous refugee and humanitarian intake commitments by

Governments around the world, including the Australian Government.

We pray to the Lord

R: Lord, hear our prayer.