Daily Devotion

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ² And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples, 
and God himself will be with them; 
⁴ he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
⁵ And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Read the following prayers as found in Earth Prayers from Around the World edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon.

Dear God, the high and the low of all creation, you have given to humankind to use.  Let us know that if this privilege is misused, your justice permits creation to punish humanity.  Amen.     Hildegard of Bingen (Died 1179)

Lord, make this world to last as long as possible.  Amen.     Prayer of 11 year-old child

Dear God, I have come to terms with the future.  From this day forward I will walk easy on the earth.  Plant trees.  Kill no living things.  Live in harmony with all creatures.  I will restore the earth where I am.  Use no more of its resources than I need.  And listen, listen to what it is telling me.  Amen.       M.J. Slim Hooey

Oh God of all, at this time of our gradual awakening to the dangers we are imposing on our beautiful Earth, open the hearts and minds of all your children, that we may learn to nurture rather than destroy our planet.  Amen.    Lorraine R. Schmitz     

Reflection: What is your prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of creation and your hope for how we will care for it?