A Time for Prayers. . . and Action!
Greetings
from the beautiful mountains of West Virginia! The main office of Baptist
Creation Care Initiative has moved to Shenandoah Valley and the foothills of
the Appalachian Mountains! The amazing sights of the area remind us daily of
God’s abundance and creativity. They also remind us of the debt we owe to
care for this amazing world. We are now closer to the DC area for events and
speaking opportunities!
The season of Lent is here – Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a
time of reflection and preparation before the grief of Good Friday and the
celebration of Easter. During the 40 days of Lent, Christians often model
Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Some fast
during this time, others set aside time for special prayers or actions.
There are some great Lenten devotionals available to help guide your
prayer time – and even your actions – during this special season of reflection
which are devoted to caring for creation. I have provided the links to a few,
below. The ones included here are either free or very inexpensive!
Free
Creation Justice Ministries – http://www.creationjustice.org/take-action-this-month-february.html
Sign up for the Lenten Carbon Fast!
Almost free
For the Beauty of the Earth: A Lenten Devotional by Leah D. Schade (Available on Kindle or in print) Background on the devotional by the author can be found here.
A Prayer for Our Earth (from Pope Francis, Laudato Si’)
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. Amen.