Prayer for the planet

God of the Cosmos, 
who created the circle of life, 
we give thanks and praise for this 
most beautiful, complex, and wise 
planet we live on.
We recognize the brokenness
around us and within us, 
and offer you our deep grief 
and prayers for our planet. 
In the brownness of 
this season of decay, 
we know that you are present. 
We pray for all the griefs we carry - 
for loved ones we have lost,
for our loss of connection with the earth,
for disenfranchised peoples,
for species under threat,
for drained ancient lakes,
for dammed rivers,
for strange weather patterns,
for the lack of will to ban coal,
for short sighted leaders,
for urban sprawl and new highways,
for unwanted pipelines,
for rising temperatures.

Hear our cries, and 
have mercy on us, O God.
Hold and honour our grief,
reminding us that the 
depth of our grief reflects
the depth of our love and concern.
Grant us your deep peace, 
beyond our understanding.
May the light of this 
single candle
be a beacon of hope,
a light in the darkness,
a guiding force into a new
way of living in step
and in balance with
the needs of all life.
We place our trust
in your great love for
the world, and that
we have a future
with hope.
Amen.

​- Wendy Janzen