At our Diocesan Synod recently a motion was passed that recognised that there is a climate emergency. Everyone in the Diocese is asked to engage with the fifth of the marks of mission of the church which is to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

Climate change, species loss, pollution, the problem of plastic in our ocean, deforestation, soil erosion – the issues are many and complex. As individual humans we can feel quite helpless in the face of such global issues. One of the things we can all do is offer prayers for our damaged creation, damaged wildlife and damaged people.

Prayer in this way becomes an act of justice. By bringing people and situations to mind in prayer before God we ensure that no  one becomes “forgotten”, that no situation is out of sight and out of mind and that the weak, poor, and voiceless are given a voice. Prayer is a powerful force. It changes things externally and it also changes us internally. When we voice things in prayer we know that there has to be a response – a response from God certainly, but also a response from us. Prayer should not leave us un-changed and in this climate emergency we cannot afford not to be changed.