Today is the World Day of Prayer for Creation. The World is joining Pope Francis today in praying for Creation. God who created this planet and everything on and in it be praised! There are so many hazardous conditions concerning our planet–oil spills, toxic waste, extinction of species, poverty, hunger, exploitation of resources, and an endless list of frustrations and horrors. Hopefully God was bombarded with prayer today by those of us who love this earth and all who share habitation here. My recent trip to the West Coast ignited how passionate I am of the sea and the forest, as well as the prairies I left here for a brief time.

Psalm 27 today reiterates that we will see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. If we would see God in everything around us, would we treat all things with greater love, respect and compassion? Would we hug a tree proudly, wiggle our toes in sand unabashedly, drink water from the tap gratefully, and look compassionately into the eyes of the hungry beggar? Might we think before we buy, wondering what the source of the goods are? Could we possibly speak up or attend a rally for the environment? What would change if we saw a hummingbird and let joy overtake us? We need to protect all species and understand how what we do in our part of the world has an impact elsewhere.

Development and Peace has a beautiful prayer that can be said this day here: https://www.devp.org/sites/www.devp.org/files/documents/materials/devpeace_prayer_to_the_holy_spirit.pdf Will you join creation in prayer?

Peace,

Suzanne

Reflection Questions

What in creation are you most grateful for?
How do you help care for creation?

Prayer

Gracious Creator,
You have entrusted us with this
beautiful blue ball of beauty.
May we honour it daily,
contemplate how our actions impact it,
pray for its healing and protection,
and rejoice in the many delights offered.
Such a magnificent gift this globe!
Thank You, Creator, for all of this.

Amen.
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