Here’s a prayer of confession and words of assurance written for use on Earth Day (April 22, 2012). It comes from the website of Kairos Canada.
Unison Prayer of Confession
Faithful One,
We have erred.
We have caused the extinction of species,
of cultures, of language,
and turned our backs to your Goodness and each other.
We continue to err,
ignoring those who hold wisdom about our Earth.
Pushing them to fragile places and infertile lands.
Sacrificing sustainability
for comfort and the future for today.
We assume that everything will adapt,
that nature will right itself,
that we don’t have to change.
In our darkness, help us find courage
to grow in understanding of ourselves, each other,
and our blessed Earth.
In our mistakes, help us find wisdom
to change our ways and make things right.
In our guilt and fear, help us find freedom
to live simply, speak bravely, and act justly.
In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance (based on 2 Chronicles 7:13-24)
Hear the Good News! Humbly repent and you are forgiven. For the Lord makes a way in the desert, and streams in the wasteland, the Lord makes all things new. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
— from Kairos Canada’s Worship in Celebration of Earth Sunday (April 22, 2012). To see the whole set of resources, click here.
For more worship resources related to creation, click on Creation care in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
