Divine Mercy and Earth Day prayers

Come, join all throughout the world celebrate this year’s Earth Day!

Want to do something novel this year?

Why not especially offer Earth Day prayers to Jesus and His Divine Mercy?

Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si’ or “Praise Be to You,” proposed these prayers:

(A prayer for our earth) “All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.”

(A Christian prayer in union with creation) “Father, we praise you with all your creatures.

They came forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love. Praise be to you!

Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made.

You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother, you became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes. Today you are alive in every creature

in your risen glory. Praise be to you!

Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the Father’s love and accompany creation as it groans in travail. You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good. Praise be to you!

Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you

in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you.

Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made.

Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.

God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love

for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.

Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.

The poor and the earth are crying out.

O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty.

Praise be to you! Amen.”

And this 2013 Earth Day prayer adopted from the Mercy Justice Circle Novena:

“For trees/plants/crops/and forests, for water/oceans/rivers/streams and ponds.

For air/wind/climate and weather, for sun/clean energy/prevention of global warning.

For animals/especially endangered species. For all humankind.

For Earth and unity.

Creator God, we thank you for all of creation.

We ask your forgiveness where we have failed to be just stewards. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

May we learn to live in harmony, safety and just sharing of resources among all so that we achieve the kingdom of God.

Peace be to this community, to this land, to all people. Amen.”