Prayer for the Care of Creation

 

Prayer for Creation from Laudatio Si’ -- Pope Francis

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognise that we are profoundly united

with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.

Today is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, an initiative of Orthodox communions around the planet in 1989 and now recognized by many Christian denominations. It's a day at the beginning of Creation Time in the Christian calendar to pause and prayerfully reflect on the gift of the world around us and ask how we might be Creation-care advocates.

We were out on the Moira River in our canoe by 7:30 this morning and we paused along the way to listen and silently give thanks. The herons and kingfishers and an osprey were all active and we appreciated the hour we were out there. No humans, just critters. 

Wherever we are we might take a moment to step outside and look at the trees of our neighbourhood or go for a walk, acknowledging the Creator as we do so. 

Here is a helpful description of this day from Creation Justice Ministries in the United States:

...the most basic, powerful, and counter-cultural thing we can do for God's creation is pray. The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation kicks off the Season of Creation, a time of sustained prayer and action which lasts a month and four days.

We live in a culture that values busyness and accomplishments. Following our Creator's call to "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) humbles us. With prayer, we become open to God's guidance, inspiration, and calls to action. With prayer, God knits us closer together in community. Only by the grace and inspiration of God can hearts and minds transform.