We each wrote a one sentence prayer and took it in turns at the mic to speak our prayer.
We've collected the sentences and crafted a longer prayer from them.
THANK YOU
Father God, thank you for your creation, our precious world - the variation, the detail - it is vast!
Thank you for its beauty, for the intricacies and interdependencies, for all that we can see and for all that is hidden.
This earth and everything in it is yours, it declares your glory, yet you gave it to us to call home, to live in and to enjoy. Everything we have comes from you.
We thank you.
FORGIVE US
Lord, forgive us when we have, through our individual actions or through the policies of our country, caused harm to your wonderful creation.
Forgive us when we have been blind to issues of justice.
Forgive us when we have not opened our eyes to the reality of what we are doing to your creation.
Lord have mercy and forgive us.
HELP US
Jesus, Creator God and Saviour make our hearts more like yours. Teach us how to care for creation the way that you care so that it continues to declare your glory.
Slow us down so that we take time to wonder at wildflowers and be renewed by birdsong. Give us eyes that see and ears that hear.
Give us open and curious minds to explore what creation care means, and place on each of our hearts the actions meant for us... and then prompt us to do them.Â
Show us the small changes that are easily overlooked and help us to be more intentional about reducing our consumption, reducing our waste and reducing our carbon footprints. May our actions be ripples that move outwards.
When the problems seem vast and we feel overwhelmed, encourage us in our despair.
Expand our understanding of who our neighbours are, locally, globally and in future generations, and help us to show our love to them through the choices we make. Prompt us to speak loudly for those whose voices are not heard.
Give our local and national governments wisdom and discernment as they make difficult decisions, weighing up the issues of today with the impacts of tomorrow. Keep them from compromises born of a desire for short term popularity.
Bring an end to the wars that blight our world, that cause human suffering and destroy our planet.
May we be people who act justly, love mercy and walk humbly.
AMEN