Prayers: Care for Creation
A Christian prayer in union with creation
Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!
Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world
towards the Father’s love and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.
USCCA – Department of Justice and Peace and Human Development
A Prayer on Climate Change
Creator God, this earth is miraculous and beautiful.
Forgive our confusion and inaction
as we confront the challenges of climate change.
In the light of your truth,
seen so clearly in the life and teaching of Jesus,
help us to re-examine ourselves and our lifestyle choices
and see clearly the implications of how we live
on all that sustains life on this earth.
May we follow your lead in caring for every aspect of this precious world, which you made, and love.
We pray for world leaders to find new, just and radical agreements that will protect our fragile world for future generations.
Throughout history you have moved people to do amazing things for the sake of their neighbours. Inspire us now to work together, as your people, to change priorities in the way we live, so that we build a fair and safe world for all your creation; a world where your will is done as it is in heaven.
Amen.
Adapted from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland –
http://www.ctbi.org.uk/409/
A Prayer for Leaders and Politicians
Father, we pray for you to raise up a generation of leaders with the courage to take responsibility for our changing climate, and the part we have played in it. We intercede for our politicians and leaders.
Move them to act in the best interests of all nations today, and all peoples in the future, in order to avoid catastrophic changes. God, we ask for a generation of leaders who will be willing to act justly so that those who have contributed so little to the problems we are facing, and have fewer resources with which to face it, are not left to shoulder our burden.
We ask You to fill the hearts of all who lead rich nations. Give them your mercy and compassion on poor countries already suffering the effects of a changing climate. Just as they have been moved to cancel debt in the past, encourage them also to release funds so that poor communities can adapt to the effects of climate change, and develop cleanly. And inspire us, Mighty God, to amend our lives for the sake of your Earth, your climate, your people.
Lord, in your mercy, lead our leaders and us to truth and transformation.
Adapted from The Sanctuary Centre –
http://tinyurl.com/climate-change-prayer