Daily Prayers Tuesday, 1 November 2022
The focus of our prayers today is Climate Change.
Ps 24: vv1-2
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
Just a little while ago James Shatner, of Star Trek fame. went on a space flight and was surprised to discover that the beauty isn’t out there, it’s down here, with all of us. He continues, Every day we are confronted with the knowledge of further destruction of earth at our hands… things that took five billion years to evolve. … We have one gift that other species perhaps do not: we are aware – not only of our insignificance, but the grandeur around us that makes us insignificant. This allows us perhaps a chance to rededicate ourselves to our planet, to each other, to life and love all around us. If we seize that chance.
[‘Boldly Go: Reflections on a life of Awe and Wonder’ 2022]
Creator God,
In your hand are the depths of the earth.
The mountain peaks belong to you, The sea is your creation,
The dry land is your handiwork,
The fruit of the land is your design,
The taste of the produce is your gift,
And we are your people,
a flock under your care.
We give you our thanks and praise, O God.
Amen.
A prayer for creation
Leader: Creation displays the beauty of our Lord
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Leader: The seas bring forth refreshing waters
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Leader: The sky is adorned with colourful birds
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Leader: The land is bursting with vegetation
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Leader: The fields are vibrant with golden crops
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Leader: The beehives are alive with busy bees
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Leader: Magnificent creatures inhabit the earth
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Leader: God cares for all with everlasting love
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Leader: We are made in the image of God
All: Taste and see that the Lord is good
Thank you God for the beauty and diversity of your glorious creation.
Amen
A prayer for good stewardship
Merciful God, we believe that you uphold and sustain all that you have made,
while also lovingly giving us the freedom to live in relationship with the rest of creation.
We ask your forgiveness for the ways we have abused that freedom, through what we have done and what we have left undone.
We bring our lament and our longing for a renewed earth to you now:
(prayer from Christian Climate Action’s prayer for climate grief).
Forgive us, Lord:
When we have failed to reflect you
When we have lived with selfish intention, placing our own needs above those of others
When we have misused or polluted creation
When we have acted in a way that has caused disadvantage and hurt.
Help us, Lord, to reflect you:
By being faithful stewards of your creation
By showing love and concern for the world.
May our actions produce lasting fruit,
for the sake of your Kingdom
Amen
A prayer for those attending COP 27
God of blessings,
the universe sings of your glory.
Deepen our gratitude for all you have made
and awaken in us a renewed commitment
to care for the earth and each other.
Inspire world leaders at COP27,
with openness to listen to those most affected by climate change
and with courage to act urgently and wisely,
so that our common home may be healed and restored
and all people, and generations to come, may delight in it.
Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
As the United Nations climate conference, COP27, begins in Egypt, let us bring our prayers to God, who created the earth and all within it.
We pray for the Church: may we speak and act together as we urgently work towards good stewardship of your creation and your presence in all living things.
We pray for the world; the interdependence of all living things; the beauty and flourishing of the planet plundered and misused for generations by human activity; may we all, through our actions, help repair the harm we have caused.
We pray for the peoples already facing droughts, floods and storms: that God may grant them strength and hope for the future as they work to adapt to the changing climate.
We pray for our local community: that through the grace of God we may examine our environmental impact and make choices for the common good.
Creator God, who calls all people to justice and care for the earth, hear and grant these prayers. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Lord, grant us the wisdom to care for the earth.
Help us to act now for the good of future generations and all your creatures.
Help us to become instruments of a new creation,
Founded on the covenant of your love.
And may God bless us today and always.
Amen
We are encouraged to join with many other Christians from around the world with the monthly Pray and Fast for the Climate Movement on the first of each month. https://prayandfastfortheclimate.org.uk/resources/
Revd Margaret Goodall
on behalf of the Eco Church Group
