A prayer of gratitude for creation – Fiona Murdoch, Eco-Congregation Ireland

On the Irish Franciscan’s Praying Nature page,  there is a section of “eco prayers”:

A Franciscan presence and spirit requires living a way of life that cherishes Gospel values as St. Francis understood them. Francis tried to live as Christ lived, especially as peacemaker, as one in solidarity with the poor, as living lightly on the earth and as a brother to all creatures. Franciscan presence and spirit is also about prayer especially prayers of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for His love, for the gift of life and for the world we inhabit. The word ‘eco’ derives from the Greek word oikos meaning ‘house’, and so eco-prayers could mean house prayers or prayers for the world, our house in this life.

Here is a prayer of gratitude for creation by Fiona Murdoch of Eco-Congregation Ireland:

God of the universe,

We thank You for Your many good gifts –

For the beauty of Creation and its rich and varied fruits,

For clean water and fresh air, for food and shelter, animals and plants.
Forgive us for the times we have taken the earth’s resources

for granted

And wasted what You have given us.

Transform our hearts and minds

So that we would learn to care and share,

To touch the earth with gentleness and with love,

Respecting all living things.
We pray for all those who suffer as a result of our waste,

greed and indifference,

And we pray that the day would come when everyone has enough

food and clean water.

Help us to respect the rights of all people and all species

And help us to willingly share your gifts

Today and always. Amen.