A Sampling of Ecological Prayers by the Rev'd Dr. Garry Deverell Invocation | Confession | Springtime | Blessing Prayer of Invocation Hail, God of life, Maker of the universe! Today we join with birds and trees and animals, with rocks and rivers and mountains, to worship and adore you as the One who brings all beings to their birth! Hail, Christ of the spheres, child of God's wisdom! In your womb the universe was made; but in your love you emptied yourself of all divinity and took the way of ultimate suffering. We have gathered this day to sing our thanks! Hail, Spirit Holy, breath of God's life and primal fire! You dwell in our souls as the instinct for love and justice; you clear our eyes to appreciate beauty and celebrate life; you are the voice of calm and the fire of passion. Ignite our worship, make us lovers of God! In the Forest In the beginning when the earth was made, God brought forth life and light from the watery depths. And God saw that it was good . . . But look what we have done! In the clouds of industry the light is hidden; And life itself struggles for breath amidst the stench of human greed. God, have mercy on us! All sing: Kyrie eleison (x3) In the beginning when the earth was made, the land emerged and burst forth with vegetation. And God saw that it was good . . . But look what we have done! With ‘green revolutions’ and the love of money we’ve endangered the variety on which all life depends. Christ, have mercy on us! All sing: Christe eleison (x3) In the beginning when the earth was made, the sea was filled with fish, and the sky with birds, and the land with creatures from God’s secret purpose. And God saw that it was good . . . But look what we have done! Our brother the Thylacine and our sister the Pig-footed Bandicoot wander the bush no more. God, have mercy on us! All sing: Kyrie eleison (x3) Listen to what God says: A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. He shall not judge by rumour or by so-called ‘common sense’. With Righteousness he shall judge for the little ones, With justice he shall decide for the one most vulnerable. The dingo shall live with the kangaroo, the calf and the croc and the emu together; and a little child shall look out for them. Isaiah 11.1, 3, 4, 6 Therefore Christ has this word of grace for all who lament their complicity with all that is wrong in the world, who come to God with a broken and contrite spirit: Your sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God! At Pentecost or at Springtime Merciful God, your welcoming presence fills the whole creation. The smile of your evergiving love visits us daily - in spring rain and the teeming life of rainforests in works of beauty and acts of compassion, in human tenderness and the cry of newborn babies. Loving God, in Jesus, you are ever before us, luring and seducing, inviting us to join your divine dance, your celebration of life. We behold your depths of your love, O God, in the Spirit poured out upon Cornelius and his household. With your servant Peter, may we learn today that Christ is raised for all people, regardless of race, creed or gender. Renew our resolve to care for all people in your name, after the example of Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God for ever and ever. Amen. Blessing Go into the world as living stones. Stones who are uniquely beautiful in all the creation. Stones make beautiful by the harshness of the journey. Stones which make ripples in the ponds of politics. Stones which cause the evil ones to trip and fall. Stones which God is using to build a temple of love for all who long for justice. Click here to visit the Rev'd Dr. Garry Deverell's website. Back to online resources.