Father of all Creation, We praise you for the wonders of the world you have gifted to us.
We thank you for the wonder of the resources you have provided for us through your creation and we thank you for the role you have given us as caretakers of that gift.
Forgive us when we have not been good caretakers of the earth.
Forgive us for the suffering that has been inflicted on the global poor because of actions that are leading to the destruction of the environment.
Lord of Hope, birth your hope in us through a new vision for how our world could be. Make us into people who act towards a more sustainable world for the benefit of all who draw life from this planet.
Holy Spirit of renewal and transformation, guide our leaders, local, national and international, towards decisions that forge a new path for development. We pray for hope to be present in their dialogue and negotiations. Imbue their talks with a spirit of cooperation and a sense of family where each works for the benefit of the other.
We ask for this wisdom to be upon all those who are gathering for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa.
May we be a global people who live within our means, blessing one another and nurturing your creation so graciously gifted to us.
All this to the glory of the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.