God, we find ourselves in a grievous position:
On a warming planet,
Wildfires burning,
Icecaps melting,
Soil degrading,
Waters poisoning.
Consumerist capitalism has so dazed and bound our society
That we cannot perceive a way forward;
We cannot get ourselves out of the trouble we are in.
We have waited long and late.
We are reaping the rewards of our inaction,
Our efforts frustrated by corporate greed.
We are sorrowful
For the ways we have harmed our earth-home
With our societal excesses and apathies,
Our hunger for more, more, more,
Our neglect of the needs of the poorest and least powerful,
Our disregard for ecosystems.
We lament the corporate greed that drives environmental destruction.
We lament the industrial farming practices that harm the soil and waterways.
We lament the industrial extraction of natural resources that destroys ecosystems.
We lament the pollution with chemicals that harm humans, animal, waterways, and soil organisms.
Help us now to do what we must
To mitigate further harm.
Help us to sacrifice convenience for the greater good -
The good of future generations,
The good of all humanity - not just a privileged few,
The good of all of Earth’s inhabitants.
We know this work won’t be easy:
It will require a revolution of consciousness.
We know it won’t be quick;
It will take decades of effort.
We know it won’t be popular;
It will mean people have to make sacrifices.
But, oh God, give us fortitude to do it anyway,
To come back into alignment with Nature as you created it,
And with your Spirit, who teaches us
And inspires us to the good work of wholeness and justice.
Amen