Sunday, July 7, 2013

Environmental Stewardship and Serenity Congregational Prayer

[I gave this prayer today (July 7th, 2013), following a sermon on Matthew 6:25-34. I draw on imagery from the text, as well as reference to the Lord's Prayer (which actually occurs earlier in Matthew 6), and quote the first half of the Serenity Prayer, written by Reinhold Niebuhr (in Italics, and changed to first person plural to reflect that this is a prayer on behalf of the people)].

Lord, Our Provider,


When we see the works of your hands,
The lilies of the field and the birds of the air
we see your providence in action
we are reminded of your generosity


Thank you for the world you have created
for the abundance and yet fragile environment
that you have placed us in
and entrusted to our care


help us to be good stewards of everything you have given us,
faithful with the little as with the lot;
working for your will,
on earth as it is in heaven


Grant us the Serenity
to accept the things we cannot change;
courage to change the things we can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Amen

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