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#PrayForRefugees: How You Can Change the Worst Refugee Crisis since WWII

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Christian leaders and organizations are urging Americans to unite in prayer for Syrian refugees Tuesday, the fifth anniversary of the Syrian conflict.

The prayer campaign, called #PrayforRefugees, is an effort "to unite Christians around central beliefs about refugees" instead of areas of disagreement, which can stop "efforts to respond biblically to refugees' needs."

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"American Christians are a diverse community," World Vision President Rich Stearns said. "We don't agree about everything. And the Syrian crisis involves complicated and controversial issues."

"But as Christians, we can all affirm the beliefs that each human being is created and loved by God; that we are commanded to serve the suffering, and in fact, we are to find Christ himself in those who are hurting the most," he said.

"While we may not all agree on the best political or logistical solution, any Christian can pray for peace in Syria; for protection and relief for those who are innocently caught in the crossfire; and for those serving the hurting," World Relief President Stephan Bauman said.

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"As Christians, we are called to be on mission with Christ," Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said. "Our mission field encompasses the most vulnerable among us, including those fleeing from persecution and warfare. We should pray for gospel compassion for our neighbors who are in peril."

The #PrayForRefugees campaign will involve nationwide prayer gatherings on and around the fifth anniversary of the conflict in Syria.

The campaign officially began Ash Wednesday and will continue through Easter Sunday for those who practice Lent.

The need for prayer is great. The Syrian refugee crisis is the worst refugee crisis since World War II. More than 4 million have fled Syria and are now refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Europe and across the globe.

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Agencies participating in the #PrayForRefugees campaign include the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, We Welcome Refugees, World Relief, World Vision, the Justice Conference, the International Mission Board, Lutheran World Relief, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Catholic Relief Services, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, PrayerMate, and the GC2 Summit.

For prayer resources and more information, go to Pray For Refugees.com and check outTwitter at #prayforrefugees.

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About The Author

Mark
Martin

Mark Martin currently serves as a reporter and anchor at CBN News, reporting on all kinds of issues, from military matters to alternative fuels. Mark has reported internationally in the Middle East. He traveled to Bahrain and covered stories on the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mark also anchors CBN News Midday on the CBN Newschannel and fills in on the anchor desk for CBN News' Newswatch and The 700 Club. Prior to CBN News, Mark worked at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There he served as a weekend morning producer, before being promoted to general