Sunday Prayers 25/9

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

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As we conclude the Season of Creation our prayers of adoration and confession will be shaped by Psalm 104 which is said to be one of the finest pieces of lyric poetry in the Old Testament.  The psalmist praises God’s works and the wonders of creation.  It’s long though so we won’t be reading it today but maybe make some time to sit outside and read the psalm for yourself.  Instead, we’ll sing Marty Haugen’s joyful call and response paraphrase ‘All you works of God’ as our Prayers of Adoration.

SONG:  All you works of God, AoV.1.19
All you works of God,
Every mountain, star and tree,
Bless the One who shapes your beauty,
Who has caused you all to be
One great song of love and grace,
Ever ancient, ever new.
Raise your voices, all you works of God.

1.  Sun and moon: Bless your Maker!
Stars of heaven: Chant your praise!
Showers and dew: Raise up your joyful song!

4.  All the earth: Bless your Maker!
Hills and mountains: Chant your praise!
Green things that grow: Raise up your joyful song!

6.  Flying birds: Bless your Maker!
Beasts and cattle: Chant your praise!
Children at play: Raise up your joyful song!

7.  All who live: Bless your Maker!
Men and women: Chant your praise!
Servants of God: Raise up your joyful song!

And now as we continue to pray, let’s breathe into the love of God our Maker

Creator God, maker of all that is
We express our anguish about the impact of climate change,
the loss of biodiversity and the ever-present threat of extinction
for so much of the non-human world.

Jesus who challenged the status quo
We lament our despair over the lack of strong action being taken
by political and industry leaders to enact environmental protections
to protect the future for generations to come.

Holy Spirit, breath of life and love
We confess our busyness that distracts us from the wonders of creation,
and the opportunity to learn more about the culture and ecological spirituality
of indigenous peoples and their connection with the land.
Amen

Word of Grace
Our God delights in creation spinning out joy after joy
And joins in our anguish and despair for the harms caused.
Let us breathe in God’s joy as we turn again and again
to follow in Christ’s Way confident that
in His Holy name our sin is forgiven.
Thanks be to God. Amen

Saide Cameron offered for worship 25/09/2022, Season of Creation 4

SONG:  All you works of God, by Marty Haugen, from As One Voice, volume 1, Willow Connections.  Reproduced with permission under ONE LICENCE # 604502