Greetings,

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5 June. This year the theme is ‘accelerating land restoration, drought resilience & desertification’. This prayer is offered by Rev Gordon Scantlebury.

Lord, our God,
   our human brokenness overflows into land, sea and sky.
Forgive us, O God.  Restore and heal us, we pray.

Our urban sprawl clears more bush land;
   our insatiable appetites mine and trawl, clear-fell and pollute,
   kill and destroy.
Forgive us, O God.  Restore and heal us, we pray.

And in all this we feel trapped.
Our modern human lifestyle has become an enemy
   to the planet we are part of.
And it seems almost impossible to turn things around.
Forgive us, O God.  Restore and heal us, we pray.

We give thanks to you, O God,
   that life is resilient and resurrection is always possible.
We give thanks: for people replanting the lost places,
   creating forest, bush and habitat.
For people saving animals from extinction
   and re-introducing species back into their environments.
For those working for new ways in agriculture
   to nurture the soil and the waters, and not poison them.
For community action in recycling and sustainable living.
For new technologies in renewable and sustainable energy.
For political leaders and others who value humanity
   and the life of this world above economies of greed and endless growth.

And we give you thanks for people of many faiths
Coming together in hope, prayer and yearning for a world that is good.

O Lord, may the deserts indeed blossom once more with new life,
   and may your resurrection arrive within and without,

In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Blessings – Rev Heather Hon (she/her).