Environment Worship Aids

Responsive Reading

When we are blind to the mystery of our landscape,
And forget it is God’s handiwork;
When we are careless with its plants and animals,
And forget they are God’s creatures;
When we are unkind to those who work with us,
And forget they are God’s children;
When we are careless about our work,
And forget we are God’s co-workers;
When we mistreat the earth,
And forget we are God’s stewards;
God, forgive us.
Amen.

(from Robert B. Kruschwitz, A Creation Study Guide, The Center for Christian Ethics, Baylor University)

Prayer of Confession

Creator of the earth and all living things, maker of the sky and the air and the breath of life, God of all that is: we are your servant people, created out of the clay of the earth itself. We forget that we are your creatures and we play at being gods. We neglect the work of stewardship that you have provided for our occupation and our joy. We have used, abused, and abandoned those things that you have created for your delight. You have created a fragile world in a perfect and delicate balance. Thinking too much of our own importance we have upset the balance. We ask your forgiveness, Holy and Righteous God. We yearn to join with the mountains and valleys, the rocks and the birds of the wild ocean waters in singing your praises. Amen.

(from John Mark Ministries, ‘Environment Day Liturgies,’ http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/1343.htm)

The Earth is the Lord’s

The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and all that dwells therein.
We live in God's world, we are not alone. We share this life with the heavens and the earth, with the waters and the land, with trees and grasses, with fish, birds, and animals, with creatures of every form, and with all our brothers and sisters.
Together we form strands in the web of creation woven and held together by God our creator.
Together with all creation we join in praising God.
Amen.

(from John Mark Ministries, ‘Environment Day Liturgies,’ http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/1343.htm)

We Are a Part of Their Community

Creator God, you gave life to us and to the inhabitants of the earth. We are a part of their community, and they are a part of ours. And yet, in our human sin, we degrade this community.

In pride, selfishness, possessiveness and ignorance, we have lived in greed, far in excess of our need. Forgive us, Lord, for we have not lived according to Your will. Your Word calls us to preserve creation's fruitfulness, to practice "shalom," and to serve and to keep creation. Help us, Lord, to be protectors, restorers, replenishers, healers, servants and lovers of Your creation. Help us to make the standard for our decisions a love for you, a love of our neighbor, and a love for all creation. Help us to care for your earth so it may continue to stand in praise to You and sustain Your creatures. Help us to love as You love, and to be obedient to You. We look to You, O God, for healing for your earth and ourselves. Thank You for the life You have given us in Jesus Christ, Who is in all things, before all things, and in whom all things hold together.

For it is in Christ's Name that we pray these things, Amen.

(adapted, from Sister Earth, http://arb0rv1tae.typepad.com/sisterearth/2005/05/a_prayer_of_tha.html)

Lenten Responsive Reading

God, we come to you in confession. More than we seek you and your will, we seek our own comfort and advantage. We have allowed ourselves to become blinded to the needs of our brothers and sisters so that we can enjoy our privilege; we have similarly become blinded to the willful destruction of our environment as we use it to our benefit.
Disturb our peace, O God. Give us clear eyes to see the suffering around us on all sides and the courage to ask what you require of us. Allow us to see the degradation of our environment as a failure to be good stewards of your creation.
We confess that we protect our hearts from pain by judging those in need, although we have not walked life's paths in their shoes.
Give us the true humility to know that we do not know the hearts of those we judge. Give us a glimpse of your love that sees us all as your beloved children, and your creation as a gift for your children.And we confess that we would rather talk about what your teachings mean than be taught by the struggles of trying to live them.
God, help us to trust you enough to follow you into a life of loving. Give us brave companions for the journey into hope.

(by Sherry Castello,”98 Seeds Lenten/Easter Worship Packet,” http://seedspublishers.org/lentenconf.html