One of the things I've come to realize about what Christians have in common is our uncommon ability to squabble about our differences. At the same time there are meaningful examples of how we celebrate being united in Christ, people of "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." In recent years a growing number of Christian communions have come together to acknowledge God as Creator and ask how we might celebrate and care for Creation.
Today is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, established by the global Orthodox Church and now including Romans Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and many dogs-body Protestants, including the United Church. This day marks the beginning of Creation Time or the Season of Creation which is recognized by all these Christian denominations and a growing number of evangelical groups. I find this very hopeful that we are finding common ground, literally and figuratively.
Here is what I think is a prayer from a Lutheran source.which you might use today, or any time in the next few weeks:
Season of Creation 2020 Prayer
Creator of Life,
At Your word, the Earth brought forth plants yielding seed and trees of every kind bearing fruit. The rivers, mountains, minerals, seas and forests sustained life. The eyes of all looked to You to satisfy the needs of every living thing. And throughout time the Earth has sustained life. Through the planetary cycles of days and seasons, renewal and growth, you open your hand to give creatures our food in the proper time.
In your Wisdom, you granted a Sabbath; a blessed time to rest in gratitude for all that you have given; a time to liberate ourselves from vicious consumption; a time to allow the land and all creatures to rest from the burden of production. But these days our living pushes the planet beyond its limits. Our demands for growth, and our never-ending cycle of production and consumption are exhausting our world. The forests are leached, the topsoil erodes, the fields fail, the deserts advance, the seas acidify, the storms intensify. We have not allowed the land to observe her Sabbath, and the Earth is struggling to be renewed.
During this Season of Creation, we ask you to grant us courage to observe a Sabbath for our planet. Strengthen us with the faith to trust in your providence. Inspire us with the creativity to share what we have been given. Teach us to be satisfied with enough. And as we proclaim a Jubilee for the Earth, send Your Holy Spirit to renew the face of creation.
In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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