Climate Prayers - Week Four: Remember the poor

In Copenhagen there will be a lot of talk about disagreements and difficulties and costs. When we feel tempted to give up, let us like Paul “Remember the poor…” (Galations 2:10). Here are just a few recent examples (from twitter.com/climateprayer) :

* Swaziland’s 20 year drought ends in sudden floods. Crops washed away. Pray for poor farmers!
* Pray for flood victims in SW Uganda. Pray farmers will not cut trees or drain wetlands.
* 98 die in Saudi floods after heaviest rain in years. Many more expected.
* Pray for 1000s of town-livers displaced by floods in Burkina. Must quit temporary camps very soon.
* Pray for 900,000 still homeless 18 months after cyclone hit Myanmar. Climate change has high human cost.

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 teaching 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 leading in caring for every aspect of this precious world, which you made, and love.

We pray for world leaders to agree a new, just and radical treaty in Copenhagen that will protect our fragile world for future generations.

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