Tag: Care of creation

Be with us God, show us the way

25th July 2026

“Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last 200 years. We are not God. The Earth was here before us and was given to us. The exploitation of the planet has already exceeded acceptable limits and we still have not solved the problem of poverty. We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it.” Pope Francis, Laudate Si

When I am tempted to meanness,

Show me your ways, O God,

and teach me your paths.

When I fail to care for your creation,

Show me your ways, O God,

and teach me your paths.

When I am too busy to stand and stare,

Show me your ways, O God,

and teach me your paths.

From Rhythms of Remembering, Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, with permission 

Pause for reflection

“But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you;
    let the birds tell you what’s going on.
Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics.
    Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories.
Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree
    that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand—
Every living soul, yes,
    every breathing creature?
Isn’t this all just common sense,
    as common as the sense of taste? Job 12:7-11

To know you in all things –

Weave a web of your presence around us today.

Be with our hands as they work.

Be with our eyes as they see.

Be with our ears as they hear.

Be with our  tongue as it speaks.

Be with our feelings and our thoughts.

Be with the people we meet.

Be with the trees we walk by and the grass we walk upon.

Be with the birds we hear and the creatures we see.

Be with the things we make and the things we take.

Be with the decisions we address.

Be in and through, over and under all,

so that doing and hearing and seeing, speaking and making and being,

we may glimpse your glory, hear your voice

and joyfully work with you

to create a new heaven and a new earth.

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 

and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 

be with us all.

Amen

With wisdom tend the earth 

11th October 2025

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6: 28b,29 

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Proverbs 3:13-15 

Happy are those who find wisdom,
    and those who get understanding,

for her income is better than silver,
    and her revenue better than gold.

She is more precious than jewels,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Response: 

If with wisdom we tend the earth,

if with an understanding of creation 

we shape our daily lives, 

then daisies will be our silver.


If with wisdom we tend the earth,

if with an understanding of creation 

we choose to measure wealth,

then buttercups will be our gold.


If with wisdom we tend the earth, 

if with an understanding of creation

we value streams and rivers,

then raindrops will be our diamonds.


If with wisdom we tend the earth,

if with an understanding of creation,

we  protect trees and forests

then leaves will be our emeralds.


If with wisdom we tend the earth,

if with an understanding of creation

we cherish insects and pollinators,

then roses will be our rubies.


If with wisdom we tend the earth,

if with an understanding of creation,

we love our fellow creatures,

then fullness of life will be our everlasting treasure. 

(With thanks to Jan Struther’s for the hymn ‘Daises are our sliver’.)


Ever patient God,

forgive us when we focus on the the work of our hands 

and disregard yours.

Forgive us when we think we know all the answers 

and yet ignore yours. 

Forgive us when we value  human approbation 

more highly than yours.

Forgive us when we hoard monetary wealth 

and neglect the wealth that comes from serving you.

Forgive us when our desire for more takes away 

what we might rightly have shared with the rest of your creation.

In your loving mercy, 

hear us and pardon us. 

Amen.


Creator God, source of wisdom and understanding

inspire us to discover the true treasures of life on earth. 

Open our eyes to see the full glory of what you have created. 

Guide us not to be selfish,

neither keeping that wealth for ourselves 

nor squandering it.

Remind us to be grateful, giving thanks and praise 

for the treasure trove you have provided.

Grow in us a caring and responsive attitude 

for the well being of creation – 

its different plants and creatures, 

birds and insects, 

our brothers and sisters.

Amen.