November 5th

Prayer in a Climate Emergency

These are challenging times as we grapple with what it means to be followers of Jesus in the climate crisis. We pray for wisdom and discernment. What does God ask of us? What do we need to ask of ourselves, of our church leaders, of our national leaders?

Mennonite Church Canada's leaders recognize that we are in a climate emergency. Mennonites in Canada, and in MCEC, are taking action in many ways already. Yet we recognize that there is more we can do, and need to do, to respond faithfully as a nationwide community of faith. The following prayer, written by Anthony Siegrist, pastor at Ottawa Mennonite Church and MCEC Executive Council member, is available for use in your congregation and in your publications.

Prayer for the UN Climate Summit, and for the Mennonite church nationwide as we discern and act together to witness to the gospel of peace for all people and all creation.

O Holy One, God of all creation,
galaxies, molecules, and life itself are encircled in your loving embrace.
We come to you, on behalf of your beloved earth and all its inhabitants.
We come to you with the caution of Job ringing in our ears.
“Miners put an end to darkness, and search out to the farthest bound
the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
They put their hand to the flinty rock,
and overturn mountains by the roots.
But where shall wisdom be found?”
We come to you with the warning of creation ringing in our ears.
Fire, drought, storms, rising temperatures, changes in the earth’s currents and flows,
unlike any experienced by our ancestors.
Something is wrong, with your world and with us.
And so, we pray for the political leaders gathered in Glasgow.
Allow them to hear the voices of those most vulnerable.
Give them the courage to act in ways that will make a difference.
Bring change, O God, a rushing wind of change,
a change as intimate as the desires of our hearts,
a change as big as the marketplace of nations.
May your economy come and your will be done,
on the earth, in the earth, and above the earth,
just as it already is in heaven.
Make us instruments of your peace.
Make us instruments of holy ferment.

AMEN