When I was a kid growing up in Northern Maine, the environmental impact of using DDT as a pesticide could be seen in the region. Once home to large predatory birds, such as bald eagles, there were none.  Throughout North America hundreds of species of birds and wildlife became extinct or were on the verge of extinction.

In 1970 Earth Day, a nationwide environmental teach-in began on April 22.  From this platform and other events, the care for the earth became a global movement.  In 1972 DDT was banned. In 1973 the Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. By the 2000s Bald Eagles and other wildlife have been removed from the Endangered Species list.  Eagles can be seen throughout North America, including New Jersey and my hometown in Northern Maine.

Now we are in the midst of another earth care crisis. In Weathering the Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience (2022 Earth Day Resource/PCUSA), “It has become clear that climate change is not merely a problem for the church to prepare for in ten or twenty years; it is time for the church to prepare right now. Around us, God’s people and planet are facing the impacts of the climate crisis…”

Let us pray for the care of creation and also take time to reflect on how we can be part of movement to care for God’s creation and our home.

Let us pray:

As we pray for the new heaven and new earth, O God.
we give thanks for this earth, our partner in your service.
Move us to hear your voice in the song of the sparrow,
to see your face reflected in the river.
Awaken us to your greatness through the winds of the storm,
and the scent of your grace on the morning dew.
Empower us to hear your prophets in the croaks of evening frogs,
to read your gospel in the webs of writing spiders.

In your great mercy you call us to care for your creation,
to uphold one another, and to pray for your world.
Hear our prayers for the healing of the earth.
Hear our prayers for clean water so that all may drink.
Hear our prayer for the right use of resources so there maybe a future for all.
Hear our prayer for careful tending of the land and the seas so all maybe in balance.
hear our prayer for people and places damaged by war so that all may know peace.

With confidence that you hear our prayers,
we offer ourselves for your good purposes,
watching and waiting for the healing of your creation
as we work toward your coming reign.

Amen.

Adapted from The Book of Common Worship, PCUSA

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/Earth-Day-2022-Weathering-the-Storm.pdf