We praise you for the beauty we see around us,

for the infinite variety of your creation –

the skies, the mountains, the valleys,

the plains, the rivers and the seas.

The bounty of your creation adds richness and providence

to our daily life.

We thank you for the gift of life,

and for the opportunities we have to share in your purposes

as stewards of creation.

Give us grace through your life-giving spirit

never to turn back on our responsibility

for the preservation of your creation.

Your Son, our Lord, came to our world in the form of Jesus,

that we might more clearly see your love in action

and your power over evil, sin and death.

Teach and inspire us Lord,

never to be afraid of the power of those

who are greedy and abusive of the resources

of your world and of others.

With the love of Jesus in our hearts,

we can transform every human situation

into what is good and acceptable in your sight.

Loving God, as we look to the future,

increase our faith and confidence

in your work in history.

You will take care of the poor and the powerless;

your prophets will speak against injustices;

and your people will embrace each other in love

because of Jesus Christ.

We pray only

that the church will be more courageous than cautious;

that the church will not remain silent

when people are suffering;

that the church will not “pass by on the other side”

when the wounded earth is waiting to be healed.

We praise you, Creator God,

that you still make all

things new through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

(Prayer of an indigenous church community in Malaysia)