This prayer was created by the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly for use in UnitingJustice’s 2016 World Environment Day resource. This resource includes other reflections, prayers and ideas for churches and individuals wishing to engage with World Environment Day (Sunday 5 June).
Creator God, breath and source of life, in love you called the world into being and in grace you made us and call us your children.
We stand in awe of the wonder of your creation: its beauty and wildness; complexity and power; resilience and fragility.
God of life, you call us to be participants in the web and wellspring of life: to be nurtured by the planet; to be nurturing of the planet; to cherish the world and all that lives. But we have failed and creation groans under our weight.
God of grace, forgive us in our brokenness: when we have taken too much from the earth; when we have not spoken out against greed and destruction; when we have allowed our most vulnerable neighbours to be harmed. We seek courage and forgiveness to be made whole.
God of love, we pray for those people, communities and nations already suffering the devastating effects of climate change; and we pray for the diversity of life on earth, so much of it already threatened by our actions.
God of hope, we pray for the world’s leaders Bless them with wisdom and creativity, and a shared vision of hope for all creation. May they find the determination to take strong action against climate change, and the political will to act together for the common good.
Creator God, we pray for us all, that we might restore our relationships with each other and work together to heal the earth.
Renew us in your grace for the sake of your creation. Amen.
Joy is God-centred. It comes from truly believing and accepting that God knows us, loves us, and accepts us. When I lack joy, it always means that my relationship with God has a weak link that I need to address.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we can come to him and ask for whatever we want. Does that mean that, like a snake oil salesman, he is promising to give us whatever we desire, even if it’s riches, fame, or power? Not at all.
While I claim no expert knowledge when it comes to sheep, I did find myself relating to Jesus in his role as the Good Shepherd in today's gospel (21st April).
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