Praying for Creation
I recently ordered a book called Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation. I wasn’t real sure what it would be like but thought it might be interesting. It came a few days ago and I have found it to be a wonderful little book. It offers readings for three prayer times each day, enough to take you through an entire month. Each day there are hymns to consider, Scripture to meditate on, and a diverse collection of readings to ponder. All of these focus one’s attention on the Creator and His Creation.
Earth Gospel is designed to help one pray for Creation. I wonder how many people actually take the time to pray for the physical world we live in. Praying for the earth might seem strange to some but didn’t Jesus himself teach us to pray, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”? For those who love God and His Creation offering prayers for the earth should come naturally.
One prayer that deeply touched me in Earth Gospel comes from The Evangelical Reformed Churches in German-speaking Switzerland. It reads: “Lord, you love life; we owe our existence to you. Give us reverence for life and love for every creature. Sharpen our senses so that we shall recognize the beauty and also the longing of your creation, and , as befits your children, treat our fellow creatures of the animal and plant kingdoms with love as our brothers and sisters, in readiness for your great day, when you will make all things new.” This particular prayer is followed in the book with a blessing by Ray Simpson, “God bless the earth that is beneath us, the sky that is above us, the day that lies before us, your image deep within us.”
I recommend Earth Gospel to you. Even more, if you are not already doing so, I encourage you to begin offering prayers for Creation. I truly believe that prayer makes a difference. Praying for the earth may help lead to its healing, as well as our own.
–Chuck
(I photographed the pika above in Colorado. I like to think he’s praying for Creation too.)