We Pray:

• That world leaders recognise our dependence on the planet and therefore our need to care for it
• That world leaders will seek to establish social and economic justice to overcome the immense poverty and inequality in our world. These are an affront to God who provides for our needs, not our greed
• That we seek Peace through establishing justice as we can’t find true peace through using force and weapons of mass destruction
• That, by following spiritual and ethical guidelines, our world leaders will seek justice and equity for all life
• That, as Rio+20 seeks to establish better governance, so world leaders will establish honest governance.  Corruption and power-seeking greatly increases poverty and inequality and is leading to the destruction of the natural environment.

 

Prayer:

We pray that we may all seek to live in harmony and peace with one another and with the natural world.

May we recognise the wonder and strength of diversity both in the natural world and among all people. May we live in peace with people of all faiths, of all nations, races, cultures and languages.

We pray we may rejoice in the variety of people and cultures and languages. May we rejoice in the diversity of the natural world that is of such beauty and wonder.

 

We ask you to add your own prayers. 

 

Here is a prayer written for Rio+20 by the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba:

Leader

Heavenly Father, through your Eternal Word all of creation came into existence, and is held in being by your Holy Spirit.

In the lives we lead and the choices we make, help us to be mindful of the impact upon your world and its

people, near and far, now and in future generations,

so we may be faithful stewards of all that you have entrusted to us,

until that time when all things are reconciled to you.

Response

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your wisdom, to safeguard the earth, its soil and all that grows in it.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your understanding, to cleanse the air and all that breathes.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your knowledge, to find ways to preserve our waters and all that live in them.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your guidance, to protect all living beings with whom we share our planet.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your compassion, to reach out to all those affected by extremes of weather, changes in climate, and the degradation of the environment.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer

We pray for your insight, to use the resources entrusted to us wisely and well, justly and safely.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your perseverance, to ensure that all humanity may have adequate food and water, shelter and sanitation, peace and well-being, and so can live in dignity, without fear.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your courage, to do all that is necessary to restore the beauty of your handiwork wherever we have damaged or harmed it.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

We pray for your grace, that each of us may be faithful stewards of all you have given us, in the choices we make and how we live our daily lives.

Creator and Redeemer, hear our prayer.

Together

Gracious God, Creator and Redeemer of all that is, you have made human beings in your image and likeness and by the work of your hands, fashioned the whole universe in beauty and majesty;

awaken in us a deeper reverence for all you have created,

and renew among us an eagerness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.

 

Amen.