Prayers to End Hunger: Protect the environment
In Genesis, God gave us the power and responsibility to care for the earth: "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground'" (Genesis 1:28, ESV).
While God is the ultimate ruler and King, we are entrusted by God to care for the earth as stewards. We must live out our calling for the good of all creation.
But for many, the environment seems distant and the problems with it too big to solve. However, stewardship of the earth is foundational to ending poverty and hunger. Without a stable environment, smallholder farmers around the world face the possibility of starvation. Famine and want go hand in hand with the irregular weather patterns caused by climate change.
As followers of Christ, we cannot practice good stewardship without caring for God's environment, our home, and God's gift. God's grace, wisdom, and strength will help us in our tasks, especially in the face of major environmental challenges. And so we ask you to join us as we pray for:
- All of creation, that it would be maintained and strengthened in the service of God's intent. We also note Pope Francis' recent inauguration of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1. May many join in prayer for the good of all of God's creation.
- The Body of Christ, that we would see the value of good stewardship of the earth and be good representatives of God's care through prayer, advocacy, and conservation.
- Our government's leaders, that they would enact policies that lead to environmental conservation and sustainability.
When you commit to joining in praying for an end to hunger, we will email you twice a month with specific prayer requests and sample prayers. Learn more about how you can get involved with prayer at Bread.
Photo: Jane Sebbi, left, a farmer and mother of seven, tends to her 12 acres of land in Kamuli, Uganda, along with her sister-in-law.
"Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
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