One of the first posts I ever uploaded on this blog was a liturgical prayer we used before gardening days which I called Liturgical gardening. It was one of the first I wrote and is still one of my favourite liturgical prayers for this season.
Here is another prayer that I wrote a couple of years ago for our evening prayers at the Mustard Seed House. I think that both of these liturgies could easily be adapted for Earth Day Sunday this week or for Earth Day observances on Thursday next week
God who makes the crops to grow,
God who feeds the birds and beasts,
Refresh us this night and protect us from harm
God who heals our wounds and pain,
God who brings us peace and rest,
Refresh us this night and protect us from harm
Pause to reflect on what you have learned through God’s created world today.
For the music of our world,
The divine song that sings through all creation,
God our creator, we praise you.
For the beauty of all you have created,
A mirror of the wonders of heaven,
God our creator, we praise you.
For the resounding roar of thunder,
Your awesome majesty revealed,
God our creator, we praise you.
For a clouded sky splashed with sunset colors,
A glimpse of heaven’s glory,
God our creator, we praise you.
For the fragrance of a rose,
Your sweet perfume of grace,
God our creator, we praise you.
For a riotous field of wildflowers,
God’s exuberant laughter unfolded,
God our creator, we praise you.
For a snowflake, an atom, a mathematical formula,
A hint of your unimagined complexity,
God our creator, we praise you.
For the call to steward your creation,
To tend your garden and make it flourish,
God our creator, we praise you.
Scripture readings:
Psalm 148 | Isaiah 35: 1-7 | Romans 8: 19 -21 | John 15: 1-8
God, we believe all creation waits in anticipation for Christ’s return,
When your creative power will transform all of life,
And you will give birth to a resurrection world of fairness and freedom.
The difficult times of pain will be turned into songs of joy.
Scarcity will be transformed into abundance.
Greed will be replaced by generosity.
Oppression will be overcome by justice.
God we believe that when your new world of wholeness and shalom is born,
Your healing power will be unleashed in its fullness;
The blind will see and the lame leap like deer.
Righteousness and faithfulness will reign,
The voiceless will break into song and streams will flow in the desert.
All of creation will find its true purpose in Christ.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and forever. Amen.
Faithful God, creator of all times and seasons,
We so easily forget that hidden within the night’s dark embrace are the seeds of life.
Remind us loving God that when all seems dark and empty,
You are still at work strengthening our roots, healing our wounds, anchoring our lives.
Remind us generous God that when morning dawns,
It is the night’s long rest that has sustained and nurtured our souls.
Keep us faithful God through the dark journey of life,
So that when the new dawn breaks our roots may be deep and strong.
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you forever
Deep peace of the God of life to you
Deep peace of the Christ of love to you
Deep peace of the Spirit of truth to you
Deep peace of the God of Gods to you
The peace of all peace be yours this night and forevermore
Amen