17th April 2022
Can I invite you to cup your hands,
and imagine that in them you are holding an egg.
Feel the smoothness and the hardness of the shell. It is there to protect the young chick inside.
Let us pray for those people and situations who need protection. For the people of Ukrainian living with the dangers of war and especially for young children and those who have been separated from their families. For the people of the Philippines living with the dangers of flooding and mudslides in the aftermath of Storm Megi, and for the people of South Africa suffering from storm force rains and floods. For the Javan rhinoceros threatened with extinction by trophy hunting, poaching and habitat loss. We pray for the climate which needs protection from our human stupidity.
Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Now imagine that you can hear a small tapping sound as the chick in your egg uses its beak to break open the shell.
Let us pray for those places and situations where people are trying to free themselves. For refugees and asylum seekers. For people trapped by poverty. For people in abusive relationships. For people working in unsafe environments. For the work of Tree Aid planting trees to free communities from the worst affects of the climate crisis. For the people of Shanghai trapped by rising covid infection rates. For Just Stop Oil trying to free us from our dependency on fossil fuels.
Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Now imagine that the shell is breaking open and out struggles a small damp and floppy chick,
needing warmth and comfort to gain its strength.
Let us pray for those who need care and comfort and healing. For ecosystems struggling to cope with the climate crisis and the pressures of human consumption. For those who are lonely, for those in pain. For those who feel anxious and afraid. For those who are sick.
Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer
Now imagine that the chick perched in your hands is all fluffed up and warm, with a beady eye and a happy cheep.
Let us give thanks for the wonder and joy of life, for the beauty we see around us and the love we encounter day by day, for the resilience of nature.
On this day of resurrection we remember those who have died recently,
And those whose year’s mind occurs now,
Let us give thanks for the hope and reassurance that God gives us through the resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Merciful God accept these prayer for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
.8
The Green Tau 