Prayers for Creation

Prayers for Creation – Sunday 13th December

Today at 3 pm the church bells in Sprotbrough rang out. It was very moving to hear this as church bells have been heard all over the world today at 3pm local time, 350 times. This event was organised in part by the World Council of Churches to mark the central point in the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit.

The bells will ring 350 times, referring to 350 parts per million. This is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere according to many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments. The concentration currently stands at 390 ppm and rising.

And so at 3pm we also held our own Prayers for Creation, a short service lasting 30 minutes where we prayed for our world and for our world leaders in Copenhagen. Climate change has a devastating effect on the lives of people around the world – especially the poorer communities.

In our service we used the Christian Aid prayer for the climate change negotiations seen below. We also took part in 3 symbolic acts – we asked for God’s forgiveness of our careless use of creation and poor stewardship then washed our hands to remind us of God forgiving sins and allowing us to start over again; we placed footprints with our names on onto a world map to remind us how our own actions affect the rest of the world and finally we decorated an advent wreath with small worlds to renew our pledge to care for our planet.

Christian Aids prayer for the climate change negotiations

Christ our Lord,
when we remember the sacrifice you made for the world,
remind us that we are called to care for the world and its people,
and challenge us to see how our actions change the world.
Be with us as we act to make a difference.

Christ, whom we remember in the bread,
remind us of those who are hungry,
and challenge to us to see how our actions change the world.
Christ, whom we remember in the wine,
remind us of those who are thirsty,
and challenge us to see how our actions change the world.

Christ, as we remember your perfect sacrifice,
inspire us to follow your example
and to work with you to restore a broken world.
Motivate us to take action,
and grant wisdom and courage to the world's leaders
that they can negotiate a fair deal for the world's poor in Copenhagen.
Remind us that you are with us,
and that when we live lives of service,
we live them in your name.
Amen.

The displays used in the service will remain in church for this week whilst the climate care conference continues.

Revd Katy Francis

Below is a copy of the service

PRAYERS FOR CREATION

OPENING PRAYER

God of delight, source of all joy

Thank you for making us part of the web of life, depending on the fruits and rhythms of the earth for my existence.

Help us to be wholly present to you now in this place, with our feet on the ground, surrounded by natures gifts,

Amen

OPENING RESPONSES

O God who called all life into being

The earth, sea and sky are yours.

Your presence is all around us

Every atom is full of your energy

Your Spirit enlivens all who walk the earth,

With her we yearn for justice to be done

For creation to be free from bondage

For the hungry to be fed

For captives to be released

For your kingdom of peace to come on earth

Amen

SONG

PSALM 8 V 3-9

CONFESSION

God of creation

the earth is yours with all its beauty and goodness

Its rich and overflowing provision

But we have claimed it for our own

Plundered its beauty for profit

Grabbed its resources for ourselves

God of creation forgive us

May we no longer abuse your trust

But care gently and with justice for your earth

Amen.

BIBLE READING

Genesis 1. 1-13

3 ACTIVITIES

Hand washing/footprints/

Advent wreath

PRAYER

Creator God, take our feet off the path of destruction and help us to treasure, conserve and share your beautiful creation. Help us to live more simply and tread the path of justice and peace and give us a vision of a new heaven and a new earth

Amen.

SONG

CLOSING PRAYER

Creator God,

Open our hearts to the wonder and preciousness of your world

Help us to see its true value and to be good stewards of creation.

Redeeming Christ, change our attitudes and priorities; be with us as we strive to follow your example.

Sustaining Spirit, support and strengthen us when we campaign for a greener world and a try and live a gentler, more sustainable lifestyle.

Transform us Triune God and lead us into action.

Amen