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It’s official: A new year is just around the corner. How does it make you feel? Excited? Nervous? A little bit of both?
For some of us, 2026 may feel like a fresh start — we’re looking forward to seeing growth, change and renewal in the year ahead. But others of us may be looking on at the new year with apprehension, anxiety and even dread. This might especially be true for refugees, immigrants and the countless churches, volunteers and families walking alongside these communities right here in the United States.
As many of us recognize, 2025 was a turbulent year for refugees and other immigrants, both in the U.S. and across the world. Shifting immigration policies and the loss of government aid have complicated an already dire global displacement crisis, with 117 million people across the world still living in displacement. And with 2026 quickly approaching, these complications show no signs of slowing down.
There are many reasons to feel apprehension and uncertainty about the year to come. But as the church, we stand on the bedrock of God’s Word.
As we begin a new year, we are excited to share this beautiful collection of verses. Each one reminds us of God’s faithfulness and affirms our shared calling to walk alongside men, women and children who have been forced to flee their homes.
Together, let’s step into this year with our full faith and assurance in the One who holds the future in his hands. Thank you for taking this journey with us.
Verses about God’s provision, purposes and power
Proverbs 19:12: Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Job 42:2: I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Psalm 19:1-2: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
Philippians 2:9-11: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Colossians 1:16-17: For in him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or rulers or authorities; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:19-20: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.
Isaiah 40:28: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Verses about peace amid uncertainty
Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Colossians 3:15: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
1 Timothy 2:17: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Verses about hope in God’s promises
1 Timothy 4:10: That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12: See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
Proverbs 23:18: There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Verses about putting our faith in action
Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Proverbs 4:23: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Verses about living for the sake of others
Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
1 John 3:16-18: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Ephesians 4:2-3: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Verses about walking alongside those on the margins
Zechariah 7:9-10: Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.”
Leviticus 19:33-34: When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Isaiah 58:10: If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
Verses about God’s heart for us
Deuteronomy 7:9: Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
1 John 4:9-10: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
2 Corinthians 9:15: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!