Minute for Mission: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

September 1, 2023

Photo credit: Nancy Corson Carter

“If we learn how to listen, we can hear in the voice of Creation a kind of dissonance. On the one hand, we can hear a sweet song in praise of our beloved Creator; on the other, an anguished plea, lamenting our mistreatment of this our common home.”

 In 2015, Pope Francis proclaimed Sept. 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This day kicks off the Season of Creation, which runs from then until Oct. 4 each year. This ecumenical season is dedicated to prayer and action for the protection of Creation.

We give thanks for all that God has made, repent for the damage that we have caused and commit ourselves to take action to protect the earth our common home.

Let Justice and Peace Flow” is the theme and invitation of this year’s Season of Creation. And resources are available in a variety of languages.

The environmental work of the Presbyterian Hunger Program is grounded in Scripture, Reformed theology, the numerous General Assembly policies that call us to care for Creation (including the 1990 foundational policy “Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice”) and prayer.

Jessica Maudlin (She/Her/Hers), Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns, Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Today’s Focus: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Sangik Lee, Translator, Global Language Resources, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Unzu Lee, Regional Liaison for East Asia, World Mission, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray

On this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, we offer this prayer from Sister Gemma Corbett of the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development:

O Holy Spirit, you hovered over the deep at the dawn of Creation.
You fashioned time and space itself in the initial magnificent flaring forth.
You breathed life into all beings and you continue to dwell and work in all Creation to sustain that life.
Be with us now at this critical moment of our history.
Open our ears to the cry of the earth, suffering the effects of human exploitation and unbridled consumption.
Open our ears to the cries of our brothers and sisters living in the midst of extreme poverty and hunger.
Give us a deeper awareness that we are part of all that you have made, that we are intimately connected to all that has been, all that is and all that will be.
Grant us a spirit of awe and wonder as we contemplate the marvels of your creation, recognizing and giving thanks for your presence within and around us.
Give us a deep respect for all life and help us to renew our commitment to foster life wherever we are.
Give us the courage to denounce all that disfigures your creation and to commit fully to caring for our earthly home and for all the created beings we share it with.
May we live lives characterized by compassion and service and may we embody your love in our relationships with one another and with all Creation. Amen.