Prayers for creation

Creator God, praise be to you. We stand in awe and wonder at the magnificence of your creation. From the tiny proton to the expanse of the universe, how amazing is the work of your hand! We are in awe at the interconnected nature of ecosystems, the movements of the oceans and global winds.

We treasure the diversity of life, that flies in the air, swims in the rivers and seas, walks upon the earth, and grows on the mountains, in the fields. We marvel that each snowflake is unique. We glorify you for the diversity of human life and that you know the number of hairs on each human head, and we are amazed that every finger print is different.

We thank you for the fruits of tree and hedgerow, for the produce of farm and forest. Thank you for the wonder of colour, the infinite shades of green, for the breeze we feel, the birdsong we hear, the scent of the flowers, and for the taste of berry and tea. Thank you for all that sustains us in earthly life.

Help us to treasure and cherish the wonderful work of your hand.

Amen.

Eternal God, you created all that is, seen and unseen, and you saw that it was good. You placed us on the earth to be stewards of your creation, but we confess that we have abused our position and been careless in the use of the resources the world provides. We have been creative in the development of new materials and products which have helped millions and brought great convenience, but we have neglected to consider their impact on the world once their use to us is over. We have carelessly created a throwaway society. We ask your forgiveness. We thank you that we know how to change. So we ask for your strength and determination to bring about change.

Help us to treasure your creation with its diversity of flora and fauna. Help us to stop polluting the waters, the air, the ground, even the space around the earth. Help us to show you, the creator of all things, some respect, by treating your creation with care.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Creator God, we thank you for your wonderful creation. You are the giver of light and life. We are amazed at its the world's beauty and the interconnected nature of ecosystems, ocean currents and global wind systems. Help us to treasure the diversity of flora and fauna. Help us protect the wildlife so that our children's children may be able to wonder at your magnificent creation. We thank you for the efforts of conservationists and all who seek to protect endangered species.

We know that it is the natural world that provides inspiration to scientists and technologists, and to those seeking medical advances. We may not know today exactly the importance of every animal or plant, insect or bird, yet it is these that have over time given us insights into so many aspects of our daily lives.

In the name of Jesus our Saviour, Amen.

God of creation, you have made all that is. You have given us plants to eat, plants that heal, and plants that clean the air. You have put us in the position of stewards of your creation, but in our sinfulness we have exploited what you have provided for our benefit and we have put the whole of your creation in danger. Forgive us.

Our hearts are saddened by the impact of global warming, We understand that those who are worst hit by the climate crisis are those who have done least to contribute to it. They are also those who are the poorest and have the least resources to protect vulnerable people, their lands and ways of life. So, we pray that governments will recognise the damage done in one part of the world will impact on people far away, and that decision makers will respond to the international challenge rather than simply being focused on the impact of climate change in their own countries.

Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, give us a desire to find ways we can each make a difference in our own homes, communities and the world around us. Then help us to put these into action. Help us all to value and wonder at the diversity of the natural world and to treat it with care and with respect for its creator.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Creator God we wonder at the magnificence of the natural world and the diversity of flora and fauna. We are amazed at the delicate interconnections between different ecosystems, ocean currents, and global wind systems. We thank you for scientific research that has studied the impact of human activity upon the world's climate. We thank you for the understanding that we have of the impact of rising global temperatures on earthly life, among the bird, animal and marine populations. We thank you for our understanding of the impact upon human life and the more violent and extreme conditions that bring flooding, drought, and fire.

We pray for those who suffer as a result, facing hunger and loss of their homes and productive land.

We thank you for the technological developments that will enable us to arrest a rapidly heating world.

Awaken us all to the need to live more sustainably, to reduce our carbon emissions, and to grasp the importance of changing the way we live. Grant us compassion for those whose homes are lost through land slides following torrential rain or rising sea levels, and those who go hungry because the rains have not fallen, or have washed away crops.

May national leaders work co-operatively together to do all that is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Amen.

Creator God, forgive us that we have misused your creation and have not cared nor cherished it. We have allowed greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the world warms causing droughts and fires, powerful winds and floods

Comfort those who have lost their homes and treasured possessions. Wrap into your care all who are fearful or traumatised. May those who are particularly vulnerable, new-borns, people elderly, frail, or disabled be assisted and provided with care.

Protect all who clear away debris and seek to rebuild communities.

We pray for a wholehearted response from the international community. May leaders of nations everywhere take the climate crisis seriously and implement policies that will help us reduce are carbon emissions and arrest rising global temperatures.

Help us to be good stewards of your creation.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.