Pray for Displaced People In North America

Both Canada and the United States are desired destinations for displaced peoples worldwide. One of the greatest challenges refugees face, however, is the difference between expectations and reality. While relocating to North America does restore some safety and security, it comes at a price. Some struggle through family separation and loss of livelihood. Many who lived in small villages now live in big cities. Others who once knew wealth now experience poverty and depend on government assistance. Most are traumatized.

While the Russian invasion of Ukraine recently produced the most refugees, many also come from Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Iraq, and other Muslim-majority countries.

Unlike asylum seekers, who ask for help upon arrival at an American or Canadian border, refugees entering North America have already been through a laborious, years-long evaluation process. After they flee for their lives to somewhere safer, they register with the United Nations (UNHCR) seeking refugee status.

Many Muslim refugees to North America come from Turkey, Jordan, or Lebanon where they lived for years either in official government-sponsored refugee camps or their own improvised living situations. Others, like Somalis, come from refugee camps in Kenya. This period “in limbo” can be just as difficult and stressful as the situations they fled! As they wait in these sometimes dreadful situations, they undergo multiple interviews, background checks, evaluations, and screenings.

Once approved, refugees to the U.S. are matched with one of the nine official resettlement agencies authorized by the State Department. In Canada, newcomers are received by the federal government or private sponsors – various organizations as well as church and community groups. These agencies and groups take responsibility for welcoming them and helping them transition to life in North America.

God, in his sovereignty, is using the historic upheavals in Muslim-majority countries to bring many unreached peoples to North America. This gives them an opportunity to encounter Christians who can introduce them to Jesus. World Relief, one of the nine official resettlement agencies in the U.S., is mobilizing Christians to serve refugees. Many are reaching out to them in love, helping them set up house, fill out forms, apply for jobs, learn English, and navigate legal services, etc. Settled Muslim refugees often tell new arrivals to seek out help from churches first!

MoveIn Ministry, serving in both Canada and the U.S., encourages followers of Jesus to move into unreached and high-needs areas in order to live as salt and light. They simply pray and follow God’s leading in loving their neighbors. One Toronto MoveIn member literally donated a kidney to an Afghan neighbor in need! The Refugee Highway Partnership in North America is a Christian network helping to “connect and mobilize leaders, churches, and organizations to effectively engage with refugees.”