Mountain Sunday Service
Mountain Related Scripture Readings
Music Suggestions
Responsive Reading
Creation Care Prayer Book
Mountain Sunday Service Planners Checklist
- Identify who should be involved in planning and how many volunteers you will need
- Approval of appropriate church body
- Select a date
- Obtain permission to deviate from usual Sunday school materials
- Select Sunday school materials; review any videos to be used
- Establish order of service
- Identify any special musical guest, guest readers, and/or guest preachers
- Identify person to make related announcements
- Select readings, scripture and music
- Put announcements about the service in newsletters, bulletin, etc.
- Gather A/V equipment, craft materials, etc.
- Arrange any special refreshments
- Prepare any letter available for members to sign
- Review and reproduce fact/ action sheet, maps etc. as desired
- Invite any special guests
Possible Positions for Volunteers
- Mountain Sunday Coordinator
- Service planner
- Contact in each Sunday school class to communicate announcements and lead Mountain Sunday School class.
- Musical talent
- Readers
- Announcement maker
- Letter writer
- Material gathers
- Snack preparers
- Long term action contact person for church
God made the mountains.
You set the earth on its foundations,
so that it shall never be shaken. (Psalm 104:5)
Mountains belong to God.
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. (Psalm 24:1)
God’s spirit dwells in the mountains.
Look! On the mountains
the feet of one who brings good tidings,
who proclaims peace! (Nahum 1:15)
God’s law, old and new, came down from the mountains.
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain,
and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone,
with the law and the commandment.” (Exodus 24:12)
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain;
and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Then he began to speak, and he taught them, saying;
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 5:1-3)
God’s wisdom is found in the mountains.
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths. (Micah 4:2)
God is revealed in the mountains.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John
And led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them and his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became dazzling white.
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter
said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.”
(Matthew 17:1-4)
Mountains offered sanctuary to Jesus Christ.
After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
(Mark 6:46)
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James,
and went up on the mountain to pray. (Luke 9:28)
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him
by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. (John 6:15)
It is grace that we live among God’s mountains.
You shall not defile the land in which you live, and in which I also dwell. (Numbers 35:34)
We too find God in our mountains.
Set limits around the mountain and keep it holy. (Exodus 19:23)
For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain. (Isaiah 25:10)
Let us honor the spiritual value of mountains,
in the holy scriptures and in our own lives.
Traditional Hymns In Praise of God’s Creation:
- All Creatures of Our God and KingI Sing the Mighty Power of GodThis Is My Father’s WorldFor the Beauty of the EarthAll Things Bright and BeautifulGod Who Stretched the Spangled HeavensGreat Is Thy FaithfulnessGod Who Touches Earth With Beauty
For children:
The following songs from Tom Chapin’s Family Tree CD*, may be useful to Sunday School teachers.
- Someone’s Gonna Use It (After You)This Pretty Planet
* The Family Tree CD is readily available from www.amazon.com. You can preview brief clips of both songs at that site as well.
Responsive Reading
The Lord’s Prayer and Creation Care: A Litany of Confession
The Lord’s Prayer has enriched Christians’ discipleship for almost two thousand years. There are many ways to understand this prayer; this is evident in the different versions and the numerous books written about it. The following litany was written to recognize the connections between Jesus’ teaching on prayer and caring for God’s creation.
Leader: Loving God, we remember that Jesus taught us to pray saying, “Our Father…”
People: You created us, you made this world, and you called your creation very good.
Yet often we forget that you are our loving Parent who continues to bless your world.
Leader: Jesus told us that you are “…in heaven…”
People: Yet we fail to live in awe of you. We take you for granted, and we don’t see
the awesome beauty of the world you have made.
Leader: We pray, “Hallowed be your name…”
People: We confess that our reverence for you does not always lead us to care
reverently for your earth, sky and sea.
Leader: We pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”
People: We confess that we often put our own interests first—exploiting your
creation, and living for our own convenience and self-interest.
Leader: We pray, “Give us today our daily bread.”
People: We confess that we consume more than our share of the world’s resources,
while billions go hungry every day and your whole creation suffers.
Leader: We pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
People: We confess that we see these words only in spiritual terms, while the Bible
is filled with teachings about economic justice and creation care.
Leader: We pray, “Save us from the time of trial.”
People: Help us to resist the temptations of spending more, using more, acquiring
more, and wasting more.
Leader: We pray, “Deliver us from evil…”
People: Free us from greed and self-centeredness that separate us from you and others.
Leader: We pray, “For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.”
People: Help us to know that in caring for your wonderful world, we are working for
your kingdom, being good stewards of your creative power, and giving you
glory.
Leader: We pray, “Amen.”
People: We end our prayers with “Amen,” a word that means “let it be so.” We know
we can be faithful disciples by your grace. Amen!
“The Lord’s Prayer and Creation Care: A Litany of Confession” is by Pastors Bruce & Carolyn Winfrey Gillette of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware and was written for originally for the anniversary celebration for the 180 solar panels on its sanctuary roof: http://www.limestonepresbyterian.org/solar/index.htm Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s hymns are in many books and web sites; she has written several with creation care themes: http://www.carolynshymns.com/lect_earthcare.html
Creation Care Prayer Book
Day 40 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 10, 2012
On this, the final day of LEAF’s 40 Days of Prayer for the Mountains, we wish to express our deep appreciation to all the pastors and communities of faith that contributed prayers and offered their support in numerous ways.
Today, LEAF supporters from around the state will gather to worship in Nashville at Christ Church Cathedral. We hope that those of you who cannot join us in body, will join us in spirit to pray for the continued awakening of Tennessee’s faith communities to their critical role in preserving and protecting God’s good earth.
Rev. Charles Maynard, District Superintendent of the Maryville District, Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, Maryville, Tennessee, offers this final prayer for creation…
O Creator of Mountain and Valley
Field and Forest
Desert and Sea;
We celebrate the beauty and wonder of Your creation. Slow us, O Lord, that we may experience and enjoy Your work in its fullest at a speed slower than our own hectic, everyday lives.
Gracious God, we are thankful for the generations who have shared breathtaking moments in Tennessee’s mountains as they have viewed
Brilliant Sunrises
Panoramic Vistas,
Blooming Wildflowers,
Dragonfly and Deer,
Starlight and Firefly.
We are grateful, O Lord, for laughter
At picnic areas, trails, parks, and overlooks as families – large and small enjoy majestic mountain wonders.
O God of the Ages, help us remember Your hand in creating these magnificent mountains, plateaus, valleys, ridges, and rivers of this our state.
With these memories help us renew our own commitment to You so future generations – our children, and grandchildren and their grandchildren – may find Tennessee’s mountains a source of renewal and revitalization.
God of all creation, bless us this day with Memory – Resolution – and Hope in this special corner of Your creation.
In Your Holy name, we pray.
Amen.
Day 39 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 9, 2012
Today, Rev. Amanda Bell Madson and members of Sand Branch United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Almighty and Wonderful Creator,
You are here, sitting beneath all the beauty of summer green.
Only in the clearing from frost and cold can we see and believe it.
You are present, deeply rooted and thriving in the coming winter chill.
Only as we look out upon your creation can we behold You in the evergreen.
You are here, filling all creation with life even as the colors of fall disappear into earth.
Only then do we realize your creative power, as we dig our hands into the damp, darkness to discover creatures doing Your handy work.
You give us PEACE, and the bear and the groundhog hibernate.
Only when we relax into your arms can we rest and settle into creation.
Help us to find you there.
Amen.
Day 38 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 8, 2012
Today, members of St. James Episcopal Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Teach us, O Lord, to listen to the Earth, our mother.
Grant us the wisdom and will to preserve all your creation, restoring to wholeness everywhere that we have carelessly left our mark.
Especially, Lord, we pray for the Appalachian mountains. Guide us in your will to defend their sanctity. For just as Abraham, Moses, Elijah and all your saints and prophets met you on the holiness of the mountaintop, we do also name our mountains “holy,” claiming our right to defend them from all who seek their harm and destruction.
And yet, we pray also for those people, that they may find meaningful employment without destroying your creation.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Amen.
Day 37 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 7, 2012
Today, Ben Lowe and members of the Evangelical Environmental Network (www.creationcare.org) are praying for creation….
Almighty and ever-loving God
LORD of all that was, that is, and that is to come
The praise of all creation, both human and non-human, belongs to you
For you come before all things, you create all things, you give all things life, and you reconcile all things back to yourself through the cross
In this moment we repent from the ways in which our lifestyles unjustly damage your creation and hurt your people
We pray particularly for the one in six babies born in America today with unsafe levels of mercury in their blood.
Jesus, you showed such love and attention to little children during your life on earth
Please be with them now in their suffering and protect them from harm
We pray for a day when such mercury poisoning and other toxic pollution from our burning of coal for electricity will cease
We pray for courage and favor to fight faithfully for laws that uphold the sanctity of life; that reduce such pollution and protect the unborn from mercury poisoning
And in this way we pray that your kingdom will continue to come here on earth as it is in heaven
LORD, in your mercy, hear our prayer. In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.
Day 36 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 6, 2012
Today, Jonathan Merritt, founder of the Southern Baptist Environment & Climate Initiative and author of Green Like God, (www.jonathanmerritt.com) is praying for creation…
Heavenly Father,
We pause to thank you for all the good gifts we too often take for granted. Thank you for the sun that warms our land, the wind that cools our faces, and the rain that waters our soil. Great is your faithfulness, your mercies are new each morning.
Father, we thank you for being, not only a good and gracious God, but a God who is not silent. You have spoken to us through your Word and your Son, and we ask you to help us to submit to all you require. Lord, we recognize the importance of confession and we lay our sins before you today. We ask forgiveness for the injustices we perpetuate, for our neighbors we fail to love, for the times we treat you like a Sunday commodity, for the greed and hatred and bitterness we let linger in our hearts. We ask forgiveness for the way we’ve disobeyed your commands to care for the world you called “good” and the way we’ve forgotten those you asked us to look after–the “least of these.”
Creator-God, we ask today that you would give us the mind of Christ and let all we do bring glory to Him. May you go before us to lead us, be behind us to guide us, be around us to protect us, be above us to watch over us, and be within us to fill us with the power of your Holy Spirit.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
the resurrected Lord,
the One who makes “all things new,”
we pray,
Amen.
Day 35 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 5, 2012
Today, members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
God our Creator, please give us the grace to reverence and be good stewards of all that You have created.
Help us take the time to learn about the impacts that our consumptive lifestyles have on the poor in our nation and all over the world. Help us to be a witness to Christ by living in a more sustainable manner.
We ask that you send Your Holy Spirit to inspire our elected decision makers with the gifts of knowledge and wisdom. Help them to act in the interest of the greatest good for the largest number for the longest time. Please move their hearts to stop mountaintop removal.
Help us to follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi, and care for all the creatures of the land, water and air by protecting their habitats. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Day 34 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 4, 2012
Today, Rev. Ryan Bennett and members of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Franklin, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Luke 6:12 “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”
Gracious and loving God,
For so many (including our Lord) mountains are a respite, a place where we can go and seek solace and feel like we are connecting with you in a special way. Whether literally or figuratively, we seek those mountaintop experiences with you so we can grow and be formed more in your image.
Throughout the Bible, it is obvious that you like to do business with us on mountains. Whether it is you providing Abraham a sacrifice instead of his son on a mountain; you, as a burning bush, calling Moses to free your people from slavery on a mountain (Horeb); you giving the 10 commandments to Moses on a mountain (Sinai); you giving Moses a glimpse of the promised land on a mountain (Pisgah); Jesus resisting temptation from the adversary on a mountain after having fasted for forty days; Jesus being transfigured and showing the glory of God to some of his disciples on a mountain; or when Jesus was struggling with the task before him, he went to a mountain (Olives) to pray, “Lord if it is your will, take this cup from me, but not my will but thine,” it is clear you like to do business with us on mountains.
In Revelation, The Lamb of God stands on a mountain (Zion) and shows us the ultimate destination for those who are faithful. And Lord, for those who have stood at the top of a mountain and looked out at the majesty of creation from that lofty perch, we feel like we, too, have done business with you.
For these forty days, we are committed to praying for our mountains. We pray for those persons whose lives are intertwined with the mountains, and for those whose job it is to protect them.
In your infinite power and wisdom, move in a way that is obvious to all that we are called to respect and care for this wonder of your creation and seek to keep it in the manner in which it was created.
As we pray for our mountains, move in our lives in such a way that we are transformed through this time spent with you.
And in all things, may we work together as your church so that we can come to that mountain in Zion and gaze at the unpolluted stream alongside the tree of life, signifying the highest ideal of your creation – the new earth.
In the name of Jesus we pray.
AMEN
Day 33 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 3, 2012
Today, Landra Anderson and members of the Tuesday Night Prayer Group, Nashville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for surrounding our lives with so much beauty! Thank You for the beautiful mountains that flourish with flowers in the spring and breathtaking colors in the fall…
Father, we come to You and ask that You intervene and convict the hearts and minds of those people responsible for destroying what You have created. Father, we need the mountains and all the nature there. The birds, the animals…they need the mountains, too, and we know You didn’t create it to be destroyed.
Thank You for those people doing everything possible to save these mountains…give them continued strength and guidance and wisdom to do the right thing. We ask these things in Your mighty and precious name,
Amen.
Day 32 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 2, 2012
Today, Rev. Ann McKee and members of the Maryville College community, Maryville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
The blessings of your Father
are stronger than the blessings of the eternal mountains,
the bounties of the everlasting hills;
may they be on the head of Joseph,
on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.
Genesis 49:26
Holy and loving God, as we greet a new year and the beauty of the earth in winter astonishes us again, we remember your eternal presence in each season. For trees that seem to die but, resting, are preparing for new life; for mountains that stand from generation to generation, changing in color with each passing hour of the day, we are grateful. The eternal mountains are blessings to us, O God, and they remind us of your many blessings in our lives.
So, Eternal One, we pray that we will find the wisdom to honor the earth you have offered us. We pray that we will figure out how to check our own selfishness and short-term desires, and to order our lives by the perspective of eternity that the mountains offer. Help us to live gladly in their shadow, walking humbly before you, living gently on the earth, and contenting ourselves with lives of service, that all people and all creation might enjoy the blessings of beauty and abundance and peace, your blessings to all generations.
Amen.
Day 31 of the 40 Days of Prayer
January 1, 2012
Today, The Rev. Patrick King and members of Old North Abbey in Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Father of the Risen Christ,
You have entrusted your creation to us. You have given us a good gift. We, however, have not cared for it well. We confess our disregard for your gift.
Help us, Lord, to grieve our mishandling of your world. Help us to receive and cherish it well. Mostly, help us to place our hope not in our ability to finally care for your creation perfectly, but in your Son’s resurrection and return, when you will bring your victory over death to completion and we will enjoy perfect communion with you and your world.
Amen.
Day 30 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 31, 2011
Today, the Earth Guild and members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Johnson City, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
A haiku prayer for the New Year
Our Earth, so aged
yet renewed with each sunrise.
Renew us, too, Lord.
Day 29 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 30, 2011
Today, Rev. J. Steven Musick and members of New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Loving God, Lord of all Creation, all that you have made lifts praises to you for your glorious and saving works. Even in the uncomfortable seasons—the hot and humid, the icy and dark—we give you credit for the turning of earth that provides for life, and we give thanks that we have this world in which we can know you, love you, and serve you.
Please help us to honor you in this world, and through this world, and with this world you have made and redeemed. Help us to honor the original purpose for which you placed us in this garden—to till and keep it.
Remind us how its bounty sustains us; how its clear waters revive us; how its beauty thrills and inspires us. Remind us that the blood and tissue of which we are so lovingly and wonderfully knit came from the same crucible of creativity as the earth from which we grow our food, the moisture that cools our brow, and the sun which warms our spirits.
We are your Creation, and you are our Gracious Maker. We give you our grateful thanks and praise in the eternal name of the One who gives us life and salvation.
Amen.
Day 28 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 29, 2011
Today, Suzanne Freeman and members of Concord United Methodist Church, Farragut, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Gracious God of Creation,
Allow me to appreciate, to protect, and to sustain the beautiful mountains, valleys and all places of your creation. Please allow me the energy to work and preserve these wonders for my children and the generations that follow. I would hope that I am able to recognize those working in partnership with the care of this wonderful gift and to join in their efforts. Thank you for the wonderful gift of your creation and allowing me the pleasure of experiencing it.
In your service,
Amen.
Day 27 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 28, 2011
Today, members of the Green Interfaith Network from upper East Tennessee, are praying for creation…
O Most Holy, we are truly blessed to enjoy the mountains of our region. They are an important part of our history and our culture, and an icon of Tennessee. Our mountain treasures have been recognized by the National Park system and National Forest Service, enjoyed by hikers and nature enthusiasts from around the world, and served as an inspiration for countless artists, songwriters, and spiritual leaders.
Help us to find strength in each other as we confront those who wish to forever change the landscape that we have come to love and enjoy. Help us to persist in making our voices heard. Please unite us in accomplishing this very important task. Bring us together to speak in ways that are clearly understood and that will positively affect those who can safeguard our precious mountains from blasting, now and into the future. Help us to stand firm to protect our natural heritage: the creeks, streams, forests, slopes, and wildlife that define our region and refresh our spirits.
Help us, especially, to stand together and provide support for those who are most likely to be affected by changes in air and water quality if our mountains become re-shaped piles of rubble. We know that broken rock reduces streamflow because it allows water to permeate deeply. Although the shape of the surface may be restored according to a permit, we understand that the natural systems that were in place at the surface can never be re-established. Water passing through the broken rock delivers materials downslope that were not exposed before the disruption. Help us to prevent that desecration of the Earth and the resulting delivery of toxic materials into the air, streams, and valleys below.
We also understand that we must work together to create and maintain a high quality of life for all inhabitants of this region, now and into the future. We seek your help and guidance as we strive to resolve our differences, and find ways to be more conscientious about our uses of energy so that our actions today do not jeopardize a healthy environment for all who follow. Teach us to be good stewards of the Earth and help us to be mindful of the needs of others as we make decisions each day. We can do this, with your help.
Amen.
Day 26 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 27, 2011
Today, fifteen-year-old Will McLean Johnston and members of the Tuesday Night Prayer Group, Nashville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
God,
You’ve given us more than we need. You’ve given us more than we deserve, although you say we deserve it. It is clear some us have no respect, no gratefulness, no understanding, no internal ability to see all the gifts you have given us and to thank you, God.
Turn these people around, Lord. Turn their hearts in a direction that will save the world you’ve given us. You are the maker and they are the clay. Remold their hearts to respect and thank you and your world you so wonderfully made for us.
We love you. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Day 25 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 26, 2011
Today, Dr. Matthew Sleeth, Executive Director of Blessed Earth is praying for creation…
Dear Lord, forgive us for the great harm we have done to your rolling hills and majestic mountains.
Give us eyes to see and ears to hear all of creation groaning when we lay the mountains low. Teach us to be instruments of peace, healing the mountains you asked us to tend and protect.
Help each of us show our love for you and our neighbors by caring for the beautiful creation you placed in our care.
Amen.
NOTE:
Although most of the prayers featured during LEAF’s 40 Days of Prayer for Mountains are the work of Tennessee faith leaders, LEAF also seeks to spread awareness of the greater Creation Care movement and the growing national support for preserving Appalachia’s mountains. Blessed Earth is an educational nonprofit that inspires and equips Christians to become better stewards of the earth. For downloadable tip sheets, small group curricula, and inspiring creation care stories, visit www.blessedearth.org.
Day 24 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 25, 2011
On this blessed Christmas Day, Rev. John Gill and members of Church of the Savior, Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation….
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined … for unto us, a child is born! Isaiah 9:2,6
Creator of the rippling streams, majestic peaks and peaceful home-places that still remain in the mountains all around us, on this sacred day we give You thanks that even now, the dawn from on high is breaking upon us, guiding our feet into the way of Your deep peace.
Although we cannot see it, and may not feel it, on Christmas morning we hear the good news of great joy that Your light has dawned in our world and nothing can overcome it. From the tops of the Great Smoky Mountains to the banks of the Mississippi River, dawn is breaking!
From the barren flatlands that used to be mountains to the lush green hollows that still survive, dawn is breaking!
From places of prayer all across our state to the legislative halls of Nashville, dawn is breaking, and nothing can ultimately stop it because You, O Creator, have come to us in the birth of a child who shows us the path to peace, not only for ourselves, but for all creation.
Shine Your light, we pray, into every heart! Give us the courage and wisdom we need to protect the rippling streams, majestic peaks and peaceful home-places that still remain.
Amen.
Day 23 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 24, 2011
Today, Kory Wells and members of several churches and prayers groups in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Divine Creator, we thank you for all the mountain represents – faith, struggle, natural resources, and this beautiful earth. Forgive us when we fail to look for how we are all connected, how our thoughtless consumption of resources hurts our neighbors on the other side of the state or nation or world. No matter where we live, help us to think about the mountain, talk about the mountain, and do all we can to protect the mountain and its sacred gifts to our world.
Amen.
Day 22 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 23, 2011
Today, Paul Laudeman and members of West Knoxville Friends Meeting (Quakers), Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
When looking on God’s creation I feel the Light shine in me. I am led by the Spirit and my love of all humans and all creatures to pray for the healing of the world.
I am not ashamed of God’s creation, not any part of it, from the smallest mote to the vastest mountain — all renew my faith. More, I am led to do good works to heal our environment so that it is healthier when I leave than when I came into the world.
I pray that others will do their part, no matter how great or how small, to heal themselves and others by loving this creation so that it may be loved by and support all of the generations to come.
World with out end,
Amen.
Day 21 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 22, 2011
Today, Rev. Leslie Etheredge and members of Church of the Savior, Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation….
Creator God:
Help us to realize that the shalom we seek depends on our true faithfulness to your steadfast love and righteous justice. That image of true faithfulness indicates that humanity’s obligation toward God demands faithful and righteous stewardship of your mountains, as well as all the earth. Make us mindful of what you require of us: awareness, appreciation and stewardship. Awareness involves seeing, naming, identifying and locating different parts of God’s creation. From awareness comes appreciation and valuing. The earth and everything in it has value because you made it so. From appreciation comes stewardship and restoration. Help us, O God, to strive for the loving, caring and keeping of what you have given us to hold in trust. When we practice stewardship of the earth we are bringing your shalom into being. God of justice, fill us with your shalom.
We pray in your name,
Amen.
Day 20 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 21, 2011
Today, Rev. Mark McGill and members of Ridgedale Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation….
Our Father, to your creation we turn our attention today.
As we are the pinnacle and stewards of all you have made,
We must humbly beg your forgiveness for abusing your works.
We give thanks for every cool drink of clean water,
For every beautiful sight of changing seasons,
For the materials to build warm homes,
For the lands upon which to grow foods,
For every living creature that brings balance to life.
Remind us that you are a creator, not a consumer,
And that we are made in your image.
Teach us the balance between using and replenishing
The vast resources you have provided.
May the alarms we raise be heard and heeded; may they
Haunt those with power to act, until the meaning
Of Stewardship is felt again among your people.
To the Creator, the Holy One, the Almighty and
All Powerful One, we petition your throne today.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Day 19 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 20, 2011
Today, Jeff Nelson and the Tuesday Night Prayer Group, Nashville, Tennessee, are praying for creation….
Lord, we pray that you would change the way that we think concerning Your creation. We ask that You would give us a godly perspective toward life that You have set into motion. May we value these mountains, trees, and wildlife, the way that You do. May these natural resources be preserved for lifetimes to come. We pray these things in the Name of Jesus.
Amen.
Day 18 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 19, 2011
Today, Rev. William Boys and members of the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, are praying for creation…
A Poem Prayer (or Hymn*) Concerning Mountain-top Removal Coal Mining
by William E. Boys, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
God, whose voice breaks rocks asunder,
Spirit, brooding o’er the deep,
Your good world evokes our wonder,
Beauty that we long to keep.
Yet, weak stewards, wielding thunder,
Blasting, moving, we debase –
With our knowledge oft we plunder,
Wanton, wasteful — cure our ways.
Mountain people’s spirits plummet;
Hear our prayer; their needs be seen:
Peace be giv’n to mountain summits,
Let their streams run fresh and clean.
Amen.
* Could be sung to any familiar 8.7.8.7 hymn tune fitting a trochee (but not iambic) foot, some examples drawn from Evangelical Lutheran Worship are:
Galilee, “Jesus Calls Us, O’er the Tumult” 696
Merton, “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding” 246
Omni Die, “For the Bread Which You Have Broken” 494
Rathbun, “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” 324
Stuttgart, “Crashing Waters at Creation” 455
The Servant Song, “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant” 659.
Day 17 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 18, 2011
Today, Steve Ferguson and members of Community Church, Mountain City, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
O Blessed Christ
Precious treasury of compassion,
Bestower of supreme inner peace,
You who love all beings without exception,
Are the source of happiness and goodness,
Creator of this universe whose speech is supreme, a purifying nectar,
And your love a refuge for all living things.
Lead us to awakening.
With folded hands we turn to you,
Supreme unchanging friend,
We request from the depths of our hearts:
Please give us the light of your wisdom,
To dispel the darkness of our minds
And to heal the destruction of our greed and insensitivity
Towards your delicate creation.
Please nourish us with your goodness,
That we in turn, will nourish all beings
With a bounty of unceasing gratefulness,
Through your compassionate intention,
Your blessings and virtuous deeds,
And a strong willingness to rely on you,
May all the useless destruction of sacred creation cease,
And all happiness and joy return,
To all of God’s mountains, rivers and streams.
That all living things be cherished again,
Upon your earth,
And in the hearts of men.
Amen.
Day 16 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 17, 2011
Today, Joyce Wilding, Third Order Franciscan, TSSF, and members of Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
O God help us to appreciate and protect the beautiful Appalachian mountains especially those that are threatened by mountain top removal.
Help more people to know that dwelling in mountains, protected as wilderness areas, is to experience the height of God’s majesty, the weight of God’s strength, the embrace of God’s love.
We pray for those who make decisions about the finite resources of the earth, for those who work on the land. May all the fruits of their labors preserve beauty and promote healthy, sustainable places to live.
We give thanks for all gifts of creation. Forgive us when we fail to recognize the beauty and sacred places that need protection from human technology that destroy eco-systems and communities.
AMEN.
This prayer was adapted from Catholic Bishops of Appalachia, “At Home in the Web of Life,” and NZ Book of Common Prayer.
Day 15 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 16, 2011
Today, Janie Wendelken and members of Concord United Methodist Church, Farragut, TN, are praying for creation…
Loving God,
From the womb of your spirit, you birthed us to care for your creation — from the streams and the mountains to the creatures that roam the earth and beyond. We are your stewards, your caregivers, your hands and feet in the universe. May we reach to the noblest part of ourselves as we look beyond our own needs to what is best for the continuation of all of creation.
Speak directly to the hearts of those who long for the destruction of your resources for economic reward alone. Speak directly to the souls of those who put aside human needs to satisfy a hunger for power. It is in your power alone that we must trust.
Help each of us to stand and shout with the psalmist, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; they and all that dwell therein.”
Help us to discern where the true balance of nature lies, the elusive balance between the needs of the natural world and the needs of humankind. For it is in that balance that we experience the greatest peace and realize our true destiny. It is your love for your creation that guides us and sustains us.
Amen.
Day 14 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 15, 2011
Today, Greg Baird and members of Old North Abbey, Knoxville, TN, are praying for creation…
God, thank you for the Appalachian Mountains. They’re incredible. Thank you. Hallowed be your name.
Father, Tennessee has seen only a little mountain top removal mining, and we thank you for that. But let us always remember that state lines are the creation of man, and that we’re all downstream, and we’re all downwind.
Oh Lord, we’re sorry for our negligence. We’re sorry we’ve created and nurtured a society that thinks having the luxury of being able to burn a lightbulb through the night is more important than preserving some of the most ancient mountains and ecosystems in the world. We’re sorry for where we’ve placed our priorities. You create, and we destroy. Please forgive us our trespasses. Please hear our apology and help us, as the stewards of Your creation, to become humble enough to simply consider repentance. Please see and be pleased by those who are struggling to keep these places intact. Please reward their efforts. Please give them endurance, because it is an uphill battle.
Specifically, we pray for the coal companies. Do not lead them into temptation. Please let them understand that Your handiwork is far more important, permanent, and life giving than their bank accounts. We pray for all the miners. Please let them understand their part in what’s going on. We know they feel their security is in keeping their jobs. Whatever it takes to help them understand, Lord, we ask you give it to them. Please keep them safe.
Father, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.
Day 13 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 14, 2011
Today, Shelby Ward (Youth Minister) and members of Word of Faith Christian Center, Knoxville, TN, are praying for creation…
Dear Lord—
We humbly come before You and pray in Jesus’ name. Please help us honor and protect Your creation. “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants” belong to You (Psalm 24: 1).
Please protect the mountains of Appalachia and the mountains of the Earth. Please forgive us for being complacent and for causing harm. “The heavens declare [Your glory], and the sky proclaims the work of [Your hands]. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge” (Psalm 19: 1-2).
Lord, help us listen to what you have for us to hear. Guide us with the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Day 12 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 13, 2011
Today, Joe Johnston and members of the Tuesday Night Prayer Group, Nashville, Tennessee, are praying for creation….
Father, our Creator,
You’ve given us a beautiful life, and we thank you… not for one thing or another, but for our whole lives, every breath, every moment. We thank you for today, one more day to walk in your care on your beautiful earth. We know that all creation is sacred and perfect, here to serve and praise you. And so we pray that every action we take will be in accordance with your Holy plan, subject to your loving dominion. In our work, our play, our thoughts, words, actions, and meditations, we ask for strength to do your will. We pray that all people everywhere will have a clear vision to see your gifts, to long for your kingdom, and to know the joy of serving you.
Amen.
Day 11 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 12, 2011
Today, Steve Sharp and members of The King’s Academy, Sweetwater, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
[In keeping with the origin of the word ecology: oikos and logos, “the study of the house/household”]
Lord, I hope you’ll forgive us for not taking better care of your “house.” You’ve let us be your houseguests and we’ve sure messed it up. We have partied hard, as they say. We’ve been pretty selfish with all the cool stuff you’ve left here for us to enjoy: all the neat food and places to play. We don’t seem to appreciate it and we sure don’t seem to share very well with each other. Maybe we keep thinking you won’t check on us for a while. Some of us seem to think you’re coming back pretty soon and so we might as well use everything up now since we may not be able to when you get back. Boy, is that dumb. It seems like we really don’t care what you’re going to think when you come back. Don’t be too hard on us. We’re pretty slow to get it.
Sometimes we think we’re doing good things with all the stuff you left for us. And, you know, sometimes we do come up with some pretty cool things. That penicillin stuff sure has come in pretty handy. I’m not so sure about this computer and internet stuff. We’ll see. It share has changed things a lot. Anyway, sometimes we use what you left for us to help make other people’s lives better. And that’s pretty cool. But it seems like much of the time we sure have been selfish, always wanting more stuff, even hoarding things. If more of us could just enjoy what you’ve left here for us, we might just be a lot better off (Actually, I’m sure we would be a lot better off.).
No one ever painted a prettier sunset than you. And the plants and animals you put here! What a great garden (and zoo)! None better anywhere. And the rivers and the mountains! Whoa! You must really care about us (a lot). I’m pretty fond of rivers, you know. I love to wade them, swim in them, float them in a canoe (now that was a cool thing somebody came up with). We’ve really messed up the rivers, though. I don’t know what we’re going to do about water someday if we don’t straighten up. And now, Lord, we’re getting so greedy, we’re going after the mountains. It’s almost like we’re tearing down the walls of your house. I bet that’s not going to make you very happy. Lord, help us act like we’ve got some sense before there’s no house left. Anyway, thanks for everything. It really is a pretty cool house. Thanks for letting us stay here for a while. Amen.
Day 10 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 11, 2011
Today, Rev. Randy Hammer and members of the United Church, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
O God, Spirit of Life, whose divine presence hallows all creation, leaving the mark of divinity upon all things visible: Grant that we might have such reverence of life that we look upon every aspect of creation with respect and that we might treat each creature and every living thing of the earth with compassion. As co-creators with you, may we be led in ways so that we can help protect your marvelous creation, as well as create a better, more perfect, more balanced world. Amen.
Day 9 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 10, 2011
Today, Julian and Melanie Reese and members of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Lord God of the Universe, we thank you for the beauty of your creation. We thank you for the wonders of the world. We pause now to consider how grateful we are for the water we drink and the air we breathe. Thank you for the glorious places we have viewed and those we can only imagine – the lakes and mountains, the deserts and the depths of the oceans. Thank you for the good gifts of food that grow from the earth. Our very lives are dependent on this good land. The tiny, unfurling of a bud and the majesty of autumn color are only a small portion of Your gifts to us which display the amazing lavishness of Your love to us, your children.
Please forgive us for ignoring the beauty all around us. We repent of our carelessness in spoiling that beauty, and the greed which causes us to damage the earth and harm our neighbors. We have not loved those who need the sustenance of the land the most. We have taken the largest portion for ourselves and criticized the weak among ourselves. We have polluted the water of the poor and neglected to feed those who need food. Forgive us for unsustainable practices that have caused untold harm to the world and its global poor.
Heal our world, Lord Jesus Christ. We desire to live in harmony with our surroundings. As we are satisfied in You, please help us to be satisfied with what we really need to live simple lives. Keep us from materialism, from greed, and from a haste that leads to a consumptive lifestyle. Help us to move lightly through this world even as we anticipate a future life with you. Let our legacy be the building up of people and good ideas and a sustainable planet full of all the animals and plants and rich resources. We rely on your Holy Spirit to enable us to be agents of good and to rebuke us when we go astray in our arrogance.
Let us be a people who declare joyfully and work to make this amazing world beautiful, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (Ps. 113:3)
In the name of Christ, Amen.
Day 8 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 9, 2011
Today, Jacob Stock, founder of Castle Ministries, Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, (www.castleministries.org) is praying for creation…
Lord Jesus,
It is with a grateful heart that we pray in thanks and in supplication for the many physical joys of this planet. Every time I taste nourishing food or marvel at structures of wood and stone, or taste pure clean water I am thankful unto you for the provision of so many varied gifts you have placed in man’s hand. May we never forget where they come from or how to use them.
Furthermore, I must give thanks for the great joys I find in the smell of the fall leaves, the beauty of flowers, the majesty of large trees, and the thrill of riding on water. In so many ways I enjoy the “great outdoors” as a sort of adult playground. In so many ways I live in the garden you made. I know that it is not as perfect as it was originally, but as you have given it to us, it is my prayer that we would take care of it as we would any good gift from our earthly fathers.
We have so much convenience in our time that we have often thrown out the hard work of cleaning and keeping our garden. May we love our neighbors who are yet to come into this garden by keeping it safe and functional as it was given to us.
Lord, we need your help to be reminded and to be wise about all that we do. May your name be great in all the land because of the way we act and because of our care for our neighbors!
Amen.
Day 7 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 8, 2011
Today, members of the Thursday Night Prayer Group, Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Creator, God – we pray for hearts humble enough to seek guidance through your Word regarding right relationship with the earth, this place you created for us and declared “good” in your sight. Open our eyes so we can recognize the myriad ways we need to change to become better stewards of your marvelous Creation.
Amen.
Day 6 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 7, 2011
Today, Steve Hixson and members of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
God of all seasons, we come today as fall moves into winter. Winter reminds us of the need for Sabbath. You have taught us that Creation itself needs time for rest and recovery. The grays and slower pace of the present will soon enough give way to the greens and frenzy of spring. Give us eyes to see the lessons You teach even as our world lies dormant and quiet. Let us be reminded that in our stewardship of Creation, we must allow it time for peace and rest. Let us be reminded that in our stewardship of ourselves, we must also allow time for relaxation and quiet. Help us to use this slower time when leaves are gone and the air is clear to see things that are not visible at other times – the big vistas – that ultimately point to You.
Amen.
Day 5 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 6, 2011
Today, students, faculty and staff at Sewanee, University of the South, Sewanee, TN, are praying for creation…
Almighty God—give us wisdom and reverence to use
The resources of nature, that no one may suffer from
Our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come
May continue to praise you for your bounty.
Strengthen us for service, dear Lord
We praise you and thank you for your Gift of creation.
We will work together in becoming good stewards, trusting in your guidance.
Amen, amen.
Day 4 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 5, 2011
Today, G. Dodd Galbreath (Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University) and other members of Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Father, we acknowledge that all creation, including the cosmos, has been made by you to make known your “invisible qualities – your eternal power and divine nature”.
We who are Christians confess that we collectively and quietly pollute our planet. We create barriers to the beauty of Your world to those who don’t know You. Our choices for easy energy solutions harm those who love nature and those who want to or could know and love You. Our choices blind others to Your path of eternal life, enduring peace and true prosperity.
Father, we needlessly destroy your majesty and personality formed in the mountaintops. Your abundant blessings of natural light flow over our world unreceived, unappreciated and far beyond all our needs.
Father, we seek your forgiveness and pray to receive Your divine wisdom.
Father, we pray that your Spirit will intervene on our behalf and grant us new leadership, new vision, and unsurpassed human cooperation for clean energy. We pray for faith to choose Your wisdom that calls out from ancient, untouched mountains. We pray that You shall receive the attention and that many shall be led to know and love You and that we all may enjoy new peace, great joy and true love for all time.
In the name of the Risen Savior through whom all prayers are realized and through whom all is forgiven, we pray,
Amen.
Day 3 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 4
Today, Rev. John Shuck and members of First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Earth is Sacred.
The Holy is here.
The leaves under my feet
The rain on my face
The air that gives me breath
Is Holy
Is Sacred
I am in awe.
Amen.
Day 2 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 3
Today, Kevin Guenther and members of Christ Church, Nashville, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Prayer to our Creator to Thank Him for Creation
We thank you Father for the earth and the soil. For it is the origin of our earthly bodies made from clay and the beginning of vitality and growth. From it earthly life springs forth and to it earthly life will return. We pray for you to teach us wisdom and respect for the dirt, the soil, the rock. Let us tread lightly upon it and enrich it and till it with love.
We thank you Jesus for our fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. You came to teach us that the pattern of creation is demonstrated through the web of people in our lives. You showed us the true meaning of community and sacrifice. You showed us change is possible and that nothing is beyond redemption. Let us care for our fellow man for you taught us that this demonstrates our love for you.
We thank you Holy Spirit for teaching us the power of cleansing water and the energy in wind. You came to comfort us. You whisper to us and remind us of who our Creator is. You bring life, hope and purification to the world. Moving from the deepest sea to the highest mountaintop on a never-ending journey, you shape our lives as the water and wind shape the earth. Help us to always remember the sacred value of water and wind.
Thank you God for placing us in such a unique role to care for your creation. Let us be thankful for the beauty of your creation, let us care and craft it with love, and let us consecrate it back to your purpose and glory.
Day 1 of the 40 Days of Prayer
December 2, 2011
Today, Jeff Cunningham & members of Keith Memorial Methodist Church, Athens, Tennessee, are praying for creation…
Gracious Lord — You have given us an amazing world, filled with mountains and streams, wind and rain, trees and flowers, yet all too often we treat Your gifts as nothing more than a resource to be exploited, rather than a revelation of You and your divine care for us.
Help us to see that when we desecrate Your creation our sinfulness reverberates through time to future generations of Tennesseans who will be forced to live with the consequences of our wasteful ways.
Forgive us, heal us, touch our hearts and give us the strength to mend the broken places in our world.
Amen.
Creation Prayer
O God, Spirit of Life, whose divine presence hallows all creation, leaving the mark of divinity upon all things visible:
Grant that we might have such reverence of life that we look upon every aspect of creation with respect and that we might treat each creature and every living thing of the earth with compassion. As co-creators with you, may we be led in ways that we can help protect your marvelous creation, as well as create a better, more perfect, more balanced world. Amen.
~Rev. Dr. Randy Hammer, Minister United Church, Chapel on the Hill, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Lord Jesus,
It is with a grateful heart that we pray in thanks and in supplication for the many physical joys of this planet. Every time I taste nourishing food or marvel at structures of wood and stone, or taste pure clean water I am thankful unto you for the provision of so many varied gifts you have placed in man’s hand. May we never forget where they come from or how to use them. Furthermore, I must give thanks for the great joys I find in the smell the fall leaves, the beauty of flowers, the majesty of large trees, and the thrill of riding on water. In so many ways I enjoy the “great outdoors” as a sort of adult playground. In so many ways I live in the garden you made. I know that it is not as perfect as it was originally, but as you have given it to us it is my prayer that we would take care of it as we would any good gift from our earthly fathers. We have so much convenience in our time that we have often thrown out the hard work of cleaning and keeping our garden. May we love our neighbors who are yet to come into this garden by keeping it safe and functional as it was given to us. Lord, we need your help to be reminded and to be wise about all that we do. May your name be great in all the land because of the way we act and because of our care for our neighbors!
Amen
~Jacob Stock lives in Strawberry Plains where he directs Castle Ministries with the help of his wife Melissa. He is also the Smithwood Administrator of River’s Edge Christian Academy.
Dear Lord, forgive us for the great harm we have done to your rolling hills and majestic mountains. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear all of creation groaning when we lay the mountains low. Teach us to be instruments of peace, healing the mountains you asked us to tend and protect. Help each of us show our love for you and our neighbors by caring for the beautiful creation you placed in our care.
~ Matthew Sleeth, MD,
Executive Director,
Blessed Earth
www.blessedearth.org
Loving God, From the womb of your spirit, you birthed us to care for your creation — from the streams and the mountains to the creatures that roam the earth and beyond. We are your stewards, your care givers, your hands and feet in the universe. May we reach to the noblest part of ourselves as we look beyond our own needs to what is best for the continuation of all of creation. Speak directly to the hearts of those who long for the destruction of your resources for economic reward alone. Speak directly to the souls of those who put aside human needs to satisfy a hunger for power. It is in your power alone that we must trust. Help each of us to stand and shout with the psalmist, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; they and all that dwell therein.” Help us to discern where the true balance of nature lies, the elusive balance between the needs of the natural world and the needs of humankind. For it is in that balance that we experience the greatest peace and realize our true destiny. It is your love for your creation that guides us and sustains us. Amen
~ Janie Wendelken
Concord United Methodist Church
Farragut, Tennessee
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