Eternal God. . .
Love’s trinity, self perfect, self sustaining;
Love which commands, enables and obeys. . .
We praise and thank you that you love and care for all people. In your love enable us to hear what you say and obey your command to love one another. In love of one another we wonder how can we do so much harm. The rising cost of living frightens us; the cost of fuel; the cost of food; the cost of clothing and shelter.
As climate diplomats meet in Bonn, Germany, we hear that fossil fuels are once again increasingly exploited in India and China; that gas and oil prices soar more than doubling the cost of transport, heating, lighting and cooking across Europe. As avian flu hits across the world and a world favourite food – chicken – becomes increasingly expensive we ask why there can not be more joined up thinking in “the global village.”
Ukrainian farmers wonder if it will be worth harvesting their wheat as last years crop is still stuck in storage while the world starves. Australia’s recent election brings a new government’s pledge for renewable energy yet at the same time there are food shortages caused by flooding. NASA warns of dead pool at Lake Mead on the Nevada-Arizona border. Storm Alex has caused flooding in Florida. We ask ourselves, why is our response to science so out of control?
In Britain increasing costs have seen donations to food banks fall to the extent that some run out of food to distribute. Similarly, the UN’s World Food Programme states that Madagascar, one of the poorest nations, is in a food emergency due to drought (possible an El Nino effect) and food production methods not changing to keep up with population growth. Lord, you have given us the intelligence to measure these things, help us to use that intelligence, imagination, and creativity to find solutions.
You, the source of all things have given us the resources to change.
You, the guide to life enable us to live with one another.
You, the goal of all life gives us the longing to obey the simple rule of life – to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you.
We ask you now, complete your image in us;
this love of yours, our source and guide and goal.Amen.
¹Opening and closing couplets from Alan Gaunt’s hymn text, “Eternal God, your love’s tremendous glory.”
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