Prayer
Call to Prayer (Based on Psalm 124)
One: The presence of God-with-us;
saves us from being overwhelmed by anything that threatens us.
Many: Praise God who hears us and answers us;
Our help is surely in God who made heaven and earth. Amen.
♪ All Creatures of our God and King
Psalmody: Psalm 34: 1-8
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
Prayer
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. Creative Spirit, enlighten our hearts and remain with your world.
(from the 2020 Season of Creation Celebration Guide)
Epistle Reading - Colossians 2:16-23
One: Word of God. Word of life.
Many: Thanks be to God.
Time for Silent Reflection
Intercessory Prayer
We give thanks for:
- Those who pay the high cost of working for justice and peace.
- LWF, WCC Member churches and Christians who live faithfully in the midst of violence.
- Fishermen and farmers who feed their families and their countries.
- Llapingachos (potato and cheese pancakes), aji (hot sauce), locro soup (made with cheese, avocado and potato), choclo (barbecued Andean corn), ceviche (a seafood dish marinated in lemon and onions, which is always served with popcorn), and pabellon (seasoned shredded beef, served with beans, rice and fried plantains).
- Giant tortoises, iguanas and other unique wildlife on the Galapagos Islands, and those trying to preserve their environment.
- CLAI, the Latin American Council of Churches, whose headquarters is in Quito, Ecuador.
- Those who work on behalf of the poor.
We pray for:
- An end to war and violence in Colombia and the establishment of a safe environment for all people.
- The creation of a stable and fair economy in Ecuador.
- An end to corruption by government officials.
- An end to drug production and trafficking, and the availability of other methods of economic activity.
- The indigenous peoples of these countries, who often bear the brunt of poverty amid growing economic disparity.
- Those who are poor, unemployed, and grieving, and those who work with them.
- Those affected by flooding and earthquakes.
- A renewal of faith by Christians in these countries.
- Those kidnapped or held hostage and their families.
- Those who have left their families and friends to go to another country to support those back home.
Concluding Prayer
God of love,
show us our place in this world
as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you!
(Adapted from the Canticle of the Sun, St Francis of Assisi, and A Christian prayer in union with creation, Pope Francis in Laudato Si')
The Lord’s Prayer (in our many languages)
Blessing
One: The LORD bless you and keep you:
The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Many: Amen
The Peace:
Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.
