Linda W - Prayer for the world
In July spectacular photos of Jupiter, taken by the James Webb space telescope, were released by NASA. It is hoped that shortly the launch can take place of the unmanned Artemis I rocket to the moon, the first stage in the 3 year programme to land humans on the moon for the first time since 1972. These exciting space explorations often include searching for signs that life in some form may have been able to exist elsewhere in the universe.
Consider and give thanks for the wonder of creation – the beauty of space, planets and stars, but especially for the complexity of the perfect balance of gases in the atmosphere, light, temperature and water that gives rise to the miracle of life on earth, in all its wondrous diversity and uniqueness.
But human activity and greed often upset the balance that allows life to thrive. Economic inequality within and between nations causes hardship of different kinds. Climate change and conflict are affecting millions of people in the poorest communities across the world.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it,
The world, and those who live in it” Psalm 24.1
Please pray
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that the Lord will help us to care as he does for his world and all people and living
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things
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for world leaders to take firm action to stop the rise of global temperatures
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for people in many countries who are suffering the most severe effects of climate change: in Pakistan from severe floods; while drought across East Africa means that millions of people are going hungry. Pray for generous donations from wealthier nations, to provide all that’s needed to bring swift relief from the misery of such disasters, and to help prevent further loss of life, and in the longer term to fulfil their promise to finance all that’s needed to create climate resilience. Pray for wisdom in decision-making, and good co-operation between different relief organisations.
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for Afghanistan, where 6 million people are at risk of famine
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for peace in Yemen and Ukraine, where people are suffering from the brutality of conflict
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for persecuted Christians and other religious minorities such as the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya unable to return to their homes in Myanmar
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for the elections to be held in Brazil on 2 October; that its leaders will recognise the global importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest, and their responsibility to protect the lives of its indigenous people
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that the new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss may have wisdom and compassion in addressing the cost of living crisis and the challenge of climate change.