Today, November 1, is the National day of prayer for the persecuted church. Please join me today in praying for the many people world-wide persecuted for their faith.

 

In the deepest reaches of me, the thought of feeling lost and abandoned causes an anxious fear. I tamp it down and trust, relying on a faith that has grown from childhood. So when I read the stories of the hundreds of thousands of families and individuals fleeing for safe land, my heart aches for them. The stories that catch my breath away most are the children and families from Syria. I know very little about the language, and less about the country, but the food has been a staple around holiday meals for as long as I can remember. I am fourth generation Syrian-American on my mother’s side. Though I don’t know much of the story that brought my great-grandparents to this country, I do know that they passed on certain traditions, sayings, and a love for family to my grandparent’s and parent’s generations. For a long time, I wished to visit Damascus where my great-grandmother is from, but that was before…

This poem I wrote flowed off my pen. I go for long times not being able to put the words together to write a poem, then a topic comes along that stirs deep inside and I can’t write fast enough. Please read these words strung together with a plea and let them stir you to action.

 

    WE ARE THE REFUGEE

The land is bright and full of promise,

     love and laughter are full upon us.

The sun shines down and rain departs,

     hunger and famine grips our hearts.

We rise up and shout, “But why?”

    “Help us now,” is our battle cry.

Our President turns away, his family fed,

     while mother and father’s pantry bled.

“Help your neighbor,” “pray to God.”

     discipline comes in the form of a rod.

We gather together and leave the land,

    set out in the world across the sand.

All our possessions are left behind,

     we cling to each other, scared out of our mind.

Across the sea with no cash in hand,

     we are looking for our promised land.

“Get in the boat, we’ll help you flee.”

     “Don’t worry, hold on, you’re safe in a dinghy.”

 

No safety net, no needs are met.

     No sleep, or warmth, or plans are set.

Our happy life is upside down,

     We face turmoil, oppression, and persecution abounds.

No where to go, no place to be,

     We are the refugee.

 

They rise up and shout, “But why?”

     “Help us now,” is their battle cry.

The world is cold, cruel, and mean.

     Even The Church refuses to to see what can be seen.

The things we can see are the faces of plea,

     WE can help their need be temporary.

The Lord is my strength,

     a tower of refuge for me,

I stand in the gap for the refugee.

“For anything, in my name, you can ask.”

     We can give to needs and take off the mask.

The Church rises up, “We know why.”

     “We’ll help you now!” Is our battle cry.

 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”  – John 14:12-14

I am fourth generation Syrian-American and I am grateful for all that I have.

Please join me now in prayer with an open hand.

Partner together with Samaritan’s Purse.

The Following YouTube video is not from Samaritan’s Purse, but it shows the profound impact and utter devastation of these refugee’s lives. #SaveSyriasChildren #SaveTheChildren