earth day prayer

O God, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen:
You place us in your creation, and you command us to care for it.
Your works declare glory and splendor, and you call us to praise and reverence.
Where we have degraded or destroyed earth's bounty,
forgive us.
Where we have taken beauty and majesty for granted,
have mercy upon us.
Where we have become estranged from the creatures with whom we share this planet, grant us your peace.
Renew us in the waters of baptism,
refresh us with the winds of your spirit,
and sustain us with the bread of life.

In the name of Jesus Christ, and for the sake of the new creation, we pray. Amen.

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For a remarkable resource linking Christian faith and concern for the creation, see
A Catechism of Creation: An Episcopal Understanding.

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The April 25 sermon at Providence UMC is entitled "For The Beauty of The Earth",
and will be posted on the PUMC website later in the week.