A harvest of gourds – photo by Tom Balke
It is the time of year when people are looking for harvest prayers and prayers of thanksgiving for the abundance of the earth’s provision. We are still waiting anxiously for our tomatoes to ripen but the produce of the garden is truly amazing during this harvest season.
I used this prayer last week in our team meeting and thought that it was a great one for this season. It was written by Andrew Warmback and Brian Wilinson, Network of Earthkeeping Christian Communities in South Africa.
Call to Worship
Come Holy Spirit
Inspire us
Come people of the earth
We will worship together
You made the earth and the gifts of your creation
We praise you God
For the smiles of your children and the beauty of your people
We praise you God
For the chance to share with others
And to celebrate your glory
We praise you God
Litany for the Planet
Grasses multiply and wild flowers proliferate
Because you God in Christ set the earth free
Vegetables colour the garden and herbs give aroma to the spiral
Because you Spirit led us into the new creation
The lion and the lamb are making friends; the worms love the lettuce
Because you Wisdom inspired new natural companions
The insects live in diverse croplands with birds sharing the spoils
Because you Lord of Love taught us to share
Every part of the creation is significant from flies to mosquitoes
Because you Creator of all, reasoned everything into being
Now teach us triune God to transcend ideology to sustainability
Because Christ you are the peace between us
Caring God,
we thank you for your gifts in creation:
for our world,
the heavens tell of your glory;
for our land, its beauty and its resources,
for the rich heritage we enjoy.
We pray:
for those who make decisions about the resources of the earth,
that we may use your gifts responsibly;
for those who work on the land and sea, and in industry,
that they may enjoy the fruits of their labours
and marvel at your creation;
for artists, scientists and visionaries,
that through their work we may see creation afresh.
Silence
We thank you for giving us life;
For all who enrich our experience.
We thank you that you have called us to celebrate your creation.
Give us reverence for life in your world.
We thank you for your redeeming love;
May your word and sacrament
Strengthen us to love as you love us.
Silence
God, Creator, bring us new life.
Jesus, Redeemer, renew us.
Holy Spirit, strengthen and guide us.
Blessing
May God who established the dance of creation,
who marvelled at the lilies of the field,
who transforms chaos to order,
lead us to transform our lives and the Church
to reflect God’s glory in creation.