“If we learn how to listen, we can hear in the voice of creation a kind of dissonance. On the one hand, we can hear a sweet song in praise of our beloved Creator; on the other, an anguished plea, lamenting our mistreatment of this our common home.”
-MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS, POPE FRANCIS, FOR THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION 2022
In 2015, Pope Francis proclaimed September 1st as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This day kicks off the Season of Creation which runs from then until 4 October each year. This ecumenical season is dedicated to prayer and action for the protection of creation.
We give thanks for all that God has made, repent for the damage that we have caused and commit ourselves to take action to protect the earth our common home.
“Listen to the voice of creation” is the theme and invitation of this year’s Season of Creation. And resources are available in a variety of languages.
The environmental work of the Presbyterian Hunger Program is grounded in Scripture, Reformed theology, the numerous General Assembly policies that call us to care for creation, including the 1990 foundational policy ‘Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice, and prayer.
On this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, we offer this prayer from Sr Gemma Corbett of the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development.
O Holy Spirit, you hovered over the deep at the dawn of creation.
You fashioned time and space itself in the initial magnificent flaring forth.
creation to sustain that life.
Be with us now at this critical moment of our history.
Open our ears to the cry of the earth, suffering the effects of human
exploitation and unbridled consumption.
Open our ears to the cries of our brothers and sisters living in the midst of
extreme poverty and hunger.
Give us a deeper awareness that we are part of all that you have made,
that we are intimately connected to all that has been, all that is and all that will
be.
creation, recognizing and giving thanks for your presence within and around
us.
Give us a deep respect for all life and help us to renew our commitment to
foster life wherever we are.
Give us the courage to denounce all that disfigures your creation and to
commit fully to caring for our earthly home and for all the created beings we
share it with.
May we live lives characterized by compassion and service and may we
embody your love in our relationships with one another and with all Creation.
Amen.
The work of Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns and the Presbyterian Hunger Program is possible thanks to your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing.
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