The Season of Creation – celebrated annually by many Christian denominations from September 1 (the Day of Prayer for Creation) through October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi) – invites us to see the divine presence in all of creation. It invites us to listen deeply to the cries of the earth and the cries of the people who suffer from the climate crisis and to act, with new urgency, to save our common home.
We are all members of a vast and profoundly
interdependent Web of Life,
The precious gift of God. Imagine,
feel the countless connections….
There is great need for A Jubilee Time for Earth
A time of rest, restoration, and restitution
from the destructive damage from
climate change and extensive,
unjust ecological degradation.
Grieve with the suffering Earth…. Earth is A Home for All who share it,
not just humans.
At least 11 people have been killed and 14 more are missing after heavy rain in recent days lashed China’s northeastern province of Liaoning. The inundation forced tens of thousands of people in areas administered by the coastal district of Huludao to evacuate, with officials launching an “all-out search” for missing persons.
Creator Spirit of God, have mercy.
Floods triggered by torrential rains have swamped a swath of low-lying Bangladesh, adding to the new government’s challenges after weeks of political turmoil. Around 2.9 million people have been affected and more than 70,000 people have been taken to shelters.
Creator Spirit of God, have mercy.
A group of Apache opposing a copper mine in the Oak Flat area of Arizona, United States, stopped to make their case in New Mexico on their way to Washington, D.C., where they will file a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case against the federal government.
Creator Spirit of God, have mercy.
The UN secretary general, António Guterres, is attending a Pacific leaders’ summit this week in Tonga with a focus on climate change in the region, whose residents are some of the world’s most vulnerable to rising sea levels and temperature changes.
Creator Spirit of God, have mercy.
Father, Lord of all creation, we praise you with all your creatures and the whole universe that comes forth from the work of Your hands. We acknowledge the privilege and responsibility that You give us as stewards of Your creation. In our ignorance we have done damage to our common home and our brothers and sisters are suffering. Through faithfully following your Son, guide and direct us to prepare for a better future. Teach us to contemplate You in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of You. Give us the grace to recognize, respect and protect all You have created, using wisely all that you have entrusted to us. Holy Spirit, who first hovered over the dawn of creation and drew order out of the chaos help us to build your kingdom of justice, love, peace, and beauty where the poor of the earth are crying out. You, who live and reign, world without end.*
Amen.
*Closing prayer “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation,” Roman Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.
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COULD THIS BE YOU?
World in Prayer is seeking a few more volunteers to join our team! Each week, one writer compiles the news and crafts the accompanying prayers. The week’s editor checks the prayers for accuracy and coherence, then posts them on our website. Team members generally serve approximately once every 4-6 weeks. Requirements:
- an interest in international affairs and conviction that God loves all.
- belief that prayer is part of what holds the world together and builds us into the people of God.
- a love of praying and writing and listening to the prompts of the Holy Spirit.
- an interest in being part of this ministry and ability to commit to this kind of schedule.If this describes you, please do drop us a note at worldinprayer@aol.com!
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