A Prayer for Becoming a Refuge

The process of learning to become a refuge is challenging. Seeing rightly, naming precisely, and acting wisely weighs heavily on the heart and requires immense wisdom. Yet God does not leave us alone, and he calls us to bring every need to him.

Darby Strickland has written a prayer, framed by Psalm 46, to help us voice these needs to the Lord. Considering praying these words individually, as a care team, or together with your church during a worship service. The prayer comes in three movements:

I. For Unseen Sufferers
II. For Churches Learning to Become a Refuge
III. For Leaders Carrying Weighty Things

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (v.1).

Lord, for unseen sufferers in our churches,
be their refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

You see the ones sitting quietly among us,
bearing stories too heavy to tell.
You know what has been hidden
and what has been left unsaid.

When the waters feel too deep
and everything gives way,
be their shelter.

When shame tells them to hide
and fear tells them to stay silent,
speak courage into their hearts.

Lead them to a place
where they are gently known over time.
Remind them: you see, you love,
and you do not fail.

Lord, make us a refuge.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved (v. 5).

Lord, you are in the midst of your people,
a steady presence that does not move.

Shape our churches to reflect your heart.
Make us a people where burdens are shared,
where the hurting are safe to speak,
and where their stories are taken seriously.

Make us a people
who protect the vulnerable,
hold oppressors accountable
and refuse to mistake silence for peace.

Where we have rushed to explain, forgive us.
Where we have interrupted pain, teach us.
Where we have been silent, give us courage.
Where we have caused harm, lead us to repent.

Make us repairers of what has been broken
and restorers who help the oppressed see
your heart turned toward them.

Lord, make us a refuge.

Be still, and know that I am God (v. 10).

Lord, you call leaders into heavy work,
into tangled stories,
deep pain,
and harm we may not fully understand.

And we are afraid—
afraid of getting it wrong,
afraid of making things worse,
afraid of what it will cost to see clearly.

Teach us to be still.
When we feel pressured to rush,
slow our steps.
When we try to fix what we do not yet understand,
quiet our striving.

Remind us that we are not the ones
who must make everything right.

You are.

Give us courage to see the truth,
wisdom to protect the vulnerable,
and faithfulness to do what love requires.

Lord, make us a refuge.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress (v.11).

Lord, you see your church.
Shape our hearts to love as you love.

Take what is small and unfinished
and make it steady,
make it safe,
something that imitates your heart.

Be our refuge, Lord,
so we might become a refuge for others:
a shelter where truth is spoken,
a place where mercy comes close,
a people where your presence is known.

Lift our eyes above the noise,
the urgency,
and our fear.

Remind us again:
you are with us.
You are our fortress.
Your love will not fail.

Lord, make us a refuge.