As the 26th Conference of Parties in Glasgow enters its final days, we lift up our voices to God, praying the climate crisis litany written by our Diocesan Makar, asking for countries and people to pledge and enact change in this world to mend and safeguard creation and to protect all of God’s children.
Elohim you were from before the world was, be with the world today we pray.
Source of all,
open our hearts that we may learn to live wisely with all of creation;
Light of the World,
open our hearts that we may learn to live wisely with all of creation;
Breath of Life,
open our hearts that we may learn to live wisely with all of creation.
Forgive us, Holy One, for abusing creation by our carelessness, our complacencies, our greed,
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Joseph knew the wisdom of when to store and when to distribute, help us to have that wisdom and not hoard when others are in need;
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Jonah knew the joy of the shade and the destruction of the worm, help us to appreciate the interdependence of nature;
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Ruth knew the saving nature of the gleanings, help us to look again before we discard that we may not consider perfect.
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Jesus reminded us of the preciousness of the sparrow in God’s sight, help us never lose sight that this world is not ours alone;
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Jesus was baptised in the Jordan, help us to keep our rivers, lochs and seas pure and clean so they may offer life and hope;
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Jesus died to save the whole of creation, help us as we seek to heal this groaning world;
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Francis of Assisi cared for all creatures, help us to value the life and breath in all living things;
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Hildegard of Bingen said, Creation is the song of God, help us join the song in harmony, not discord;
Holy God, hear us and help us.
As Benedict taught, to be one with where we live, help us to see the things on our doorstep we take for granted, to care and protect them;
Holy God, hear us and help us.
Grant governments and leaders courage and wisdom to make decisions which favour the whole planet;
grant them courage and wisdom.
Gift scientists and horticulturists insight as they strive for new more sustainable protein sources;
gift them insight.
Stretch engineers and entrepreneurs imaginations to discover better and new ways of living in harmony with nature;
stretch their imaginations.
Enrich educators and researchers words with the knowledge that will inspire;
enrich their words.
Illuminate industries and charities vision as they deal with the consequences of generations of ill informed decisions;
illuminate their vision.
Bestow on individuals throughout the world, whose homes, livelihoods and communities have been damaged by the demands for produce and goods from those who already have plenty, justice and peace;
bestow justice and peace.
As we shop, work, seek relaxation and entertainment, help us to make choices that will not negatively impact others or the planet;
be in our choices.
When we consider taking the familiar, comfortable, easy option, rather than the option which will benefit this blue planet;
inform our decisions.
When we are confronted by those who deny the damage done, and being done, plant in us the words that may sow a seed of recognition in their lives.
gift us the words to speak.
As weather patterns shift, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, empower us.
As ice caps melt and sea levels rise, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, challenge us.
As famines continue, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, embolden us.
As water courses change, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, protect us.
As wild fires increase, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, strengthen us.
As air become laden with unseen pollutants, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, disturb us.
As we struggle to give up the things we have become accustomed to, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, inspire us.
As we struggle for solutions to our waste, to our use of and desire for energy, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, encourage us.
As we struggle to protect and care for this planet entrusted to us by you, open our lives to embrace the change we must be;
Sustaining God, breathe through us.
Elohim you were from before the world was, be with those gathered for COP26;
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Send your Spirit to blow through formal and informal conversations, stimulating creative discussions and positive solutions;
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Incarnational God, unite the world to tackle climate change;
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Enable COP26 to create engagement of climate issues where there was none,
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Bless those prepared to take risks for the sake of the future of creation and climate;
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Dull the voices of those who will try to deflect and distract;
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Plant seeds of attainable hope which will foster involvement;
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Renew projects that have grown tired through lack of support,
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Open eyes, minds and hearts to what we can each do to play our part,
Elohim, fill us with zeal to care for creation.
Source of all, Light of the world, Breath of life, hear us as we pray.
Amen.
