Ideas for prayer and worship

Prayer is at the center of our lives as Christians. Praying together deepens

our relationship with our faith and brings forth new gifts of the Spirit. As
Jesus taught us, “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with
them” (Matthew 18:20).
The following suggestions will help you shape a prayer or worship service
for creation.

Host an ecumenical prayer service

Hosting a prayer service is a simple and beautiful way to celebrate the

Season. While a prayer service that stays within your church community is
welcomed, this Season also offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with
Christians outside of your denomination or network.

If interested, contact local Christian communities of denominations different

from your own, and ask the clergy or justice coordinator whether he/she
would like to collaborate in co-hosting a prayer service for the Season of
Creation. If you send an email, be sure to share a link to the Season of
Creation website and to include information about the season.

Start with the event checklist. Ask all participating communities to advertise
the service. This will ensure good attendance and lead to a diverse, dynamic
celebration. Sample flyers, bulletin inserts, and pulpit announcements are
online. Appoint either one clergy person or a group of clergy people from
participating churches to lead the prayer service.

The following is an example of a prayer service developed for Season of

Creation 2019 that you can use and adapt to your context.

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 ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE FOR THE SEASON OF
CREATION

Opening prayer

(Begin your service by lighting a candle, and setting the space with other
natural items that represent the biodiversity of your local ecology, and open
by praying:)

We gather in the name of the Triune God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer
of the Earth and all its creatures!

Praise be to the Holy Trinity! God is sound and life, Creator

of the Universe, Source of all life, whom the angels sing;
wondrous Light of all mysteries known or unknown to
humankind, and life that lives in all. (Hildegard of Bingen,
13th Century)

Opening sentences
One We gather in the image of the Creator

Many who is a community of love.

One We gather in the name of the Redeemer

Many who reconciles all of creation.

One We gather in the presence of the Life Giver

Many who inspires new life and renews it.

Song
Sing a hymn that praises God as Creator. If possible, find a hymn that is
shared by all participating traditions. Click here for a list of creation-themed
hymns.

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 Psalm 104
One Bless the Lord, O my Soul!
Many O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made
them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.
One You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills,
giving drink to every wild animal; the wild beasts quench their thirst.
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among
the branches.
Many O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made
them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.
One From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the Earth is satisfied
with the fruit of your work. You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the Earth, and wine
to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to
strengthen the human heart.
Many O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made
them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.
One The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that
God planted.
In them the birds build their nests; the stork has its home in the fir trees.
The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the
coneys.
Many O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made
them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.
One You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time
for setting.
You make darkness, and it is night, when all the animals of the forest
come creeping out.
These all look to you to give them their food in due season;
Many O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made
them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.
One when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they
are filled with good things. May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
Many O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made
them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.

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 Confession
One We praise you God, for the diversity of your creation. With the psalmist
we are amazed at the manifold diversity of your work. The Earth is full of
your creatures and in your holy wisdom you have made them all. But in
our self-centeredness, we have neglected to serve our fellow creatures.
We have polluted the land and the waters, destroying delicate habitats
and accelerating the loss of your precious species. We know that creation
waits with eager longing in the hope of being set free from this bondage
to our decay (Romans 8:19-22). And so we confess. God of mercy and
justice,
Many We confess our overuse of transportation,
One the need for speed overriding the healing of the Earth’s fever.
Many We confess our hyper-consumption of food and energy,
One producing meat and electrons on demand, but too often exhausting and
poisoning the backyards of the poorest.
Many We confess our soaps, our cosmetics, our synthetic clothes,
One ignoring that their unseen, plastic microbeads run into our streams and
oceans, now residing in fish, and probably in some of us.
Many We confess our junk, the piles of what we throw away,
One the sewage smelling of our lack of concern.
Many We confess our mind-set,
One too often concentrating on our ability to buy rather than asking what we
really need, what our world needs.
Many We confess our unfaithfulness, not loving you with our whole heart
and strength and mind,
One not loving our human and non-human neighbours as ourselves,
Many not caring for the creation you have given us as a gift.
One Turn us from our cursed practices
Many to life that is really living, giving ourselves away, following Jesus
Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
One The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as
we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit,

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 because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God
(Romans 8:26–27).
Many Amen
(adapted from the Lutheran World Federation)

Reading of Scripture followed by preaching or

participatory reflections

See the thematic readings offered below in this resource, or locally designate
a text that reflects the particular context of your prayer service. Suggested
scriptures are on the Season of Creation website.

Song
Sing a hymn that praises the biodiversity of creation. If possible, find a hymn
that is shared by all participating traditions. Click here for a list of creation-
themed hymns, thanks to Interfaith Power and Light.

Profession of faith
One We belong to the Creator in whose image we are all made.
Many In God we are breathing, in God we are living, in God we share the
life of all creation.
One We belong to Jesus Christ, the true icon of God and of humanity.
Many In him God is breathing, in him God is living, through him we are
reconciled.
One We belong to the Holy Spirit, who gives us new life and strengthens our
faith.
Many In the Spirit love is breathing, in the Spirit truth is living, the breath
of God always moves us.
One We belong to the Holy Trinity, who is one in all and Three-in-One.
Many In God we are all made, in Christ we are all saved, in the Spirit we
are all united.
(Per Harling)

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 Offering and offertory prayer

You may want to have an offering, perhaps to collect money for a particular
project or ministry, or you may want to showcase local plants, animals, or
other materials from your area as a way offer thanks for the biodiversity of
your area and to raise awareness of the protection your local habitats need.

Prayers
One We pray in thanksgiving for Mother Earth in whom all life is rooted,
Brother Sun whose energy radiates life, Sister Water who nurtures and
revives us, and co-creatures with whom we live, and for whom we are
called to till and keep this garden. “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. Creative Spirit,
Many enlighten our hearts and remain with your world.
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. Creative Spirit,
Many enlighten our hearts and remain with your world.
One 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. Creative Spirit,
Many enlighten our hearts and remain with your world.
One We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our
struggle for justice, love and peace.” Creative Spirit,
Many enlighten our hearts and remain with your world. Amen.
(adapted from A prayer for the Earth, Pope Francis, Laudato Si)

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 Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Benediction
May God who established the dance of creation,
Who marvelled at the lilies of the field,
Who transforms chaos to order,
Lead us to transform our lives and the Church
To reflect God’s glory in creation.
(CTBI Eco-Congregation Programme)

Integrate creation into Sunday liturgies

Encourage your pastor/priest to preach a sermon on creation or integrate

creation themes into prayers during the Season of Creation.

The following ideas will help your pastor/priest or prayer leader shape a
sermon or prayers. Each week in the Season of Creation has a suggested
theme. Scriptures from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and
Gospels are listed along with a synopsis of how they connect with the theme.
Any or all of these may used during the season.

More ideas can be found at http://www.sustainable-preaching.org/

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 Old Testament A Old Testament B Psalm A Psalm B New Testament Gospel

Sept. 1st (Pentecost 12, Trinity 11)

Jeremiah 2:4-13 Proverbs 25:6-7 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 Psalm 112 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14: 1, 7-14
- The passage speaks of God - Parallel to Jer. 2. Note - Note how those who delight - ‘Mutual love’ includes: - This parable is about
protecting Israel during their how God’s blessing is seen in God are generous, happy - hospitality to the stranger generosity to the outsider
wandering in the desert and in creation’s bounty v.16 to lend, seek justice, and (v.2) such as migrants and and stranger, not just
how they forgot God and put ‘finest wheat … honey from distribute to the poor (vs.5,9) climate refugees. looking after our own but
their trust in ‘cracked cisterns the rock’ seeking to love those on
- Obvious parallel to today - keeping our lives free of the
that can hold no water’. the margins. These include
and climate justice love of money (v.5) in a world
- Parallel with today’s where inequality is growing the victims of climate
global idolatry of and materialism is a root injustice and food
materialism and economic cause of many of the insecurity.
growth and how we are ecological problems we face
reaping what we have
- v.16 the sacrifice God
sown through climate
wants is sharing what we
change, biodiversity loss,
have!!
soil pollution etc.

Sept. 8th (Pentecost 13, Trinity 12)

Jeremiah 18:1-11 Deuteronomy 30:15-end Psalm 139:1-5, 12-18 Psalm 1 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33
God as the potter can break Choose life! (v.19) - Note how God’s personal care and - The beautiful image of a - To follow Jesus means
down and rebuild nations. nature, heaven and earth, knowledge for each of us are fruitful tree planted by ‘carrying the cross’ (v.27) and
are called as witnesses. described using the vivid water is applied to being ‘giving up all our possessions’
- What is God doing
language of knitting and rooted in God’s word, but (v.33).
today in a world of - Also, note how
weaving. it’s an example of how
human-caused relationship with God is - What does it mean to us
ecological chaos? intimately tied to how we - We need to take this scripture habitually uses living in consumer cultures
Where do our nations live in the land (v.16,20) – truth for ourselves but nature to show how God where worth is measured
need to be broken and walking in God’s ways has also apply it to all who are works. Imagery like this in possessions to give up
remoulded? a profoundly ecological the victims of climate (and Jesus’ parables) only all this to Jesus? Is it to be
dimension to it. change, water and food connect with us if we are taken literally, or is it about
scarcity etc. deeply and daily rooted in changing our relationship
the patterns and rhythms with material things and
of creation (NB Matthew 6 learning to live lightly,
– observe the flowers and simply and generously,
birds) recognising that all we
have is God’s gift, to be
shared with others, and
not to be acquired in ways
that damage creation’s
thriving?
 Old Testament A Old Testament B Psalm A Psalm B New Testament Gospel

Sept. 15th (Pentecost 14, Trinity 13)

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Exodus 32:7-14 Psalm 14 Psalm 51:1-11 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-12
- God’s judgement on human - In the context of - David’s powerful Jesus’ joy and heaven’s joy over one
sin, seen now in creation’s practical atheism, where prayer of repentance sinner who repents. The celebration
groaning (Rom. 8.22), causing people live as if there is after murdering Uriah (especially for the lost coin) is out of
biodiversity loss and no God (v.1) – which we and adultery with all proportion to what’s been
desertification (v.23-26) can apply to today’s idols Bathsheba can also be recovered, but reflects the theme of
- Should we see today’s crises of hedonism and used as a lament for God’s Kingdom as a feast or party.
as God’s judgment, or simply consumer materialim, our greed, waste and - in our rightful passion for the
as the Earth reaping what we note how God’s heart is pursuit of false idols poor and the planet, we must not
have sown in over- towards the poor (v.6). leading to creation’s lose sight of the heart of the
consumption, waste and How can we show the worship being silenced. Gospel, that we each need the
greed? reality of God in how we transforming acceptance and
care for those on the forgiveness that God in Christ
- Note v.27 promises hope
margins? offers us.
beyond judgment, as
always in scripture. This is
important today when
many have lost hope for
the Earth.

Sept. 22nd (Pentecost 15, Trinity 14)

Jeremiah 8:18-9.1 Amos 8:4-7 Psalm 79:1-9 Psalm 113 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13
- A heartfelt lament on behalf - Strong words against - a psalm of praise to - in the context of summing up - the parable of the shrewd (or
of God’s people. those who oppress the God who rules over the the centrality of Christ in God’s dishonest!) steward is a difficult one
- v.20 sums up how many needy and poor. We rhythms and patterns purposes (vs.4-7) we are called and commentators differ on the
victims of climate change may want to apply this of nature (vs.3-6) and to pray especially for rulers and details of interpretation.
might feel: ‘The harvest is today at various levels who looks with special authorities (although next - what is much clearer is Jesus’
past, the summer is ended, – nations who export care on the poor and week’s Psalm 146.3-4 tells us application in vs.9-13:
and we are not saved.’ their waste and barren (vs. 7-9) not to trust our rulers!)
- ‘You cannot serve God and wealth’
polluting industries, - in the context of massive (v.13) is a huge challenge to a world
- if we are to be moved to
large companies who injustice, inequality and where the richest 20% consume 16
change our ways in
exploit workers and continuing destruction of God’s times as much of the Earth’s
response to God’s call and
destroy creation’s creation, how should this affect resources as the poorest 20%.
today’s crises, we need to
goodness, ourselves how we pray for our leaders?
recover how to lament, to - Being faithful stewards of what
when we act
feel godly sorrow and to - if we can vote to choose belongs to another (v.12) surely
thoughtlessly, selfishly,
experience the Spirit’s our leaders, what kinds of applies to our use of natural
greedily and
groaning through priorities does the Gospel resources, because the whole Earth
wastefully.
creation’s groaning (Rom. suggest we should base that belongs to God (Ps. 24.1).
8,22,26) choice upon?
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Old Testament A Old Testament B Psalm A Psalm B New Testament Gospel

Sept. 29th (Pentecost 16, Trinity 15)

Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-end Psalm 146 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-end
Jeremiah buys a field as a Amos speaks judgment A psalm of hope written in A confident psalm of Powerful reminders not to The story of the rich man and
prophetic act that, despite a to the rich, not only the context of despair. - praise to God who we can place our security in money Lazarus is another powerful warning
chaotic context, there would because of their material How might these words fit trust (unlike our rulers and possessions (vs.6-10), but that ignoring injustice and poverty is
be a hopeful future (Jer. excesses, but because our current situation of vs.3-4), because he is the in godly virtues (v.11) reflected a form of practical atheism. Our
29.11) where land would be they forget those who climate refugees, creator and faithful in our core relationships – with faith in God has to be reflected in
bought and sold again. are suffering. biodiversity loss and sustainer of the whole God, each other, and creation – generosity and justice or it is
- This challenges those other- injustice? earth (v.6), and because of and in the gift of eternal life meaningless.
- What are the
worldly spiritualities that his justice for the (v.12).
dangers of being ‘at - v.4 describes God as a - How does this parable come
suggest we should focus on oppressed, hungry, - note it is the love of money
ease’ and ‘feeling protective bird hiding us alive in today’s situation of a
heaven and forget all the prisoners, blind, bowed and the desire to be rich that
secure’ v.1 if our under its wings. If God globalised world where the
problems affecting Earth. security is in our made the incredible
down, strangers, orphans are root of the problem (vs.9-
poorest are on our doorstep, and
and widows (vs.7-9). 10), but today’s media and the
- We are called to invest houses, pensions and diversity of wildlife we the lifestyles of rich nations are
our time, work and money insurance rather than see, what creatures - Note how this psalm is politics of endless economic exacerbating the impacts of
in God? speak to you of God’s the opposite of the growth feed us with lies that climate change, deforestation,
in the land (the social and
character, and how? individualistic, ‘Jesus money and wealth will solve food and water stress and waste
ecological context) where
God has planted us – to and me’ spirituality. We our needs. upon the world’s poorest?
seek the shalom – the trust God chiefly - Can we, as churches, learn to
peace and wellbeing of the because of God’s be counter-cultural in
city / town / village (Jer. creation and justice, cultivating content with enough
29.7) not for how he makes (v.8) rather than always wanting
us feel! more?
- Can the perspective that we
bring nothing into the world
and can take nothing out
(v.7), and that it is God (not
our work or the economy)
that provides us with what
we need (v.17) help us live
more sustainably?
 Hold a Prayer Service Outside

To celebrate God’s creation fully, it is good, where practical, to take our

worship outside a building and to worship in the context of God’s
creation–which is already worshipping God eloquently as every creature, and
even mountains, rivers and trees worship the Lord simply by doing what God
created them to do.
• Depending on your style of worship and the weather, consider an informal
service or brief Eucharist.
• For your offertory, ask children and adults to gather symbols from nature
and take them to the holy table as “fruit of the earth and work of human
hands” alongside the bread and wine.
• Include a moment of silence to listen to, and wordlessly join in with the
song of creation’s worship.
• Include readings from Psalm 104, Psalm 150, or Matthew 6:25-33 or other
appropriate readings.
• Include a lament for our abuse of creation, and a time of listening to
creation’s groaning (Romans 8:22) in the Confession.
• Use the following Tanzanian Benedicite, or invite the young people in your
community to adapt it to suit the creatures that live in your ecological
niche. It would be a great project for children and young people to work
on and present.

TANZANIAN BENEDICITE
Tanzania, bless the Lord
And all your tribes and districts, bless the Lord
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you big things, bless the Lord
Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria
The Rift valley and the Serengeti plain
Fat baobabs and shady mango trees, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you tiny things, bless the Lord
Busy black ants and hopping fleas, wiggling tadpoles and mosquito larvae
Flying locusts and water drops, pollen dust and tsetse flies
Millet seeds and dried dagaa, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

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 All you sharp things, bless the Lord
Sisal plant tips and tall lake reeds,
Masai spears and hunting arrows,
A rhino's horn and crocodile teeth, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you soft things, bless the Lord
Sawdust and ashes and kapok wool,
Sponges and porridge and golden-ripe mango, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you sweet things, bless the Lord
Wild honey and pawpaws and coconut milk,
Pineapple and sugar-cane and sun-dried dates
Slow-roasted yams and banana juice, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you bitter things, bless the Lord
Quinine and blue soap,
Sour milk and maize beer, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you swift things, bless the Lord
Wild goats and honking lorries,
Frightened centipedes and lightning flashes, bless the Lord,!
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you slow things, bless the Lord
Curious giraffes and old bony cows
Long-tailed chameleons and slow-munching sheep, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you loud things, bless the Lord
Monsoon rains on aluminium roofs, midnight hyenas and feast-day drums
Train stations and carpenter's shops, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you quiet things, bless the Lord
Candle-flames and just-sown furrows, heaps of clouds and sunny libraries
Our Uluguru mountains and sleeping pupas, land snails and crawling
turtles!
Grazing zebras and stalking lions, bless the Lord,
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
All you creatures that never talk, still bless the Lord
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.
* Source unknown

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