Earth-care Prayers

The earth is a very fragile place, and yet it is our home, our only home. In the past century in particular, humanity has been terribly severe on the earth making unreasonable demands on it, and now the earth along with its life and ecosystems are struggling to cope. The irony is that humanity depends on a healthy earth in order to survive. The first to suffer are always the poor and most vulnerable, and so we need to take stock, reduce our demands, and live more simply, or as Jesus asked of his followers, more lightly on the earth. Below are some prayers to help get us started:

 

Lord, grant us Wisdom to Care for the Earth

 

Lord, grant us the wisdom to care for the earth and till it.

Help us to act now for the good of future generations

and all your creatures.

Help us to become instruments of a new creation,

founded on the covenant of your love.

Amen.

- from The Cry of the Earth

 

Holy Spirit, We need Your Help

 

Holy Spirit we need help!

Our planetary home is hurting;

global warming and climate change

with millions of humans uprooted,

and fish, flower and fauna

facing dire extinction.

Holy Spirit hear us!

 

We stewards of creation

plead human need for counsel

before using our God given gifts

communally with many others

to repair the harm of our greed

with faith in your guidance.

Holy Spirit help us!

 

We are too ego bent

to one colour of the spectrum,

our need is urgent for inspiration

so truths of our baptismal faith

rend our stubborn hearts

to solidarity of intent.

Holy Spirit inspire us!

 

We await clergys’ help

ordained to pilot our prayers

within our sacramental sanctuaries

sustaining our own lay callings

for social and eco-justice;

help heal our home.

Holy Spirit guide us!

 

from Lamplighters’ Forum 

 

www.franciscans.ie

 

 

Laudato Si'

mi' Signore 

 

Praised be You

my Lord

with all

Your creatures

- St. Francis