Ecospirituality Prayer Service: “A Prayer for our World”

[This year, the Patna Province’s Laudato Si’ Committee is publishing prayer services to support their goal of connecting with ecological spirituality. You are invited to use this prayer service for your personal prayer time or in community.]

A Prayer for Our World

Opening Hymn: “Canticle of the Sun”

Introduction by Leader: Welcome to this time set aside for us to pray for the future of our world. As we consider the destructive forces changing the climate of God’s precious Earth, we may be tempted to despair, but we can also pray for God to bring about a life‐enriching future. As we pray, we ask that God will renew in us a sense of urgency about climate change and our own need to respond. Renew in us your gift of hope; hope that decision-makers will come together and make decisions that will safeguard our futures.

Climate Prayer: Creator God, this earth is miraculous and beautiful. Forgive our confusion and inaction as we confront the challenges of climate change. In the light of your truth, seen so clearly in the life and teachings of Jesus, help us to re-examine ourselves and our lifestyle choices and see clearly the implications of how we live on all that sustains life on this earth. May we follow your lead in caring for every aspect of this precious world which you made and love. Throughout history you have moved people to do amazing things for the sake of their neighbours. Inspire us now to work together, as your people, to change priorities in the way we live, so that we build a fair and safe world for all your creation, a world where your will is done as it is in heaven. Amen

Scripture Reading: How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. May the Lord rejoice in God’s works. PSALM 104:24, 31

Reflection: Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, begins with an examination of our ecological behavior, emphasizing scientific confirmation of human-caused global warming due to the burning of fossil fuels and the harmful impact to our Mother Earth and to the poor and vulnerable around the world.

The past eleven years have been the hottest years on record. This excessive heat is an imminent threat to all life on our planet. The World Health Organization has calculated approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths per year from 2000 to 2019. In 2022, the UN’s 27th Conference of the Parties, or “COP 27,” marked a 100% increase in extreme climate-related disasters over the last 30 years. Globally, powerful flooding has devastated homes and buildings, while extreme heat and drought plague farmers, herders, and laborers, who endure summer temperatures ranging as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

On a broader level, the Laudato Si’ encyclical observes a “throwaway culture” characterizing our modern lifestyle, driven by ecologically detached, individualistic and consumer-focused behavior. Rather than exhibiting an ecological spirit, aware of our interconnectedness, a globalization of indifference to the cry of Earth and the cry of the poor has laid siege to the planet. In short, humans need to do more to demonstrate good stewardship of God’s gift of creation.

Time for Sharing: Take a moment to reflect on what you can do further respond to the cry of Earth. Take stock of what you are doing now, but challenge yourself to think about what more you can do. Turn to the Sister or person sitting next to you and share with them what you have thought of.

Hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth”

Prayer: