PRAY

. . . and reflect on the duty to care for God’s creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.

A first essential setting for learning hope is prayer. When no one listens to me any more, God still listens to me. When I can no longer talk to anyone or call upon anyone, I can always talk to God. When there is no longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope, he can help me. When I have been plunged into complete solitude …; if I pray I am never totally alone.

Spe Salvi, #32

“A poor man’s field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.”

Proverbs 13:23

The first step of taking the St. Francis Pledge is to pray and reflect on the duty to care for God’s creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.  Let your prayer reflect your desire to learn how you are being called to make a difference.  Make up your own prayers or use the following prayers that may help inspire the wonder of creation and our responsibility to respond to God’s command to be stewards of the gifts of the earth.

Resources from Faithful Stewards of God’s Creation

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Suggestions for Prayer and Liturgy

• Suggestions for Homilists
• Blessings for Use on Special Occasions
• Suggested Prayers

Scriptural Texts

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Climate Change, Justice and Health Initiative

Gn l:l-28-Creation Story

• Gn 9:8-17-God’s Covenant with Noah and All Creation
• Ps 8-The Majesty of God
• Ps 65- Thanksgiving for God’s Blessings
• Ps 104-Praise of God the Creator
• Ps 146- Trust in God Alone
• Ps 147-Zion’s Grateful Praise to Her Bountiful Lord
• Ps 148-Hymn of All Creation to the Almighty Creator
• Dn 3:52-90-Praise of God; Praise of God’s Creation
• Jn l:l-5-In the Beginning Was the Word
• Rv 21:14-New Heavens and New Earth