On Sunday we are celebrating 'flora and fauna Sunday as part of the season of creation. A lot of the liturgy I looked at comes from across the Tasman Sea from New Zealand in Australia or from across the wide Pacific in North America... and I found myself aware that they didn't reflect the New Zealand context. So I took some time to write a prayer of thanksgiving and confession that reflected where we are at here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In writing this prayer I am aware of my tenancy to try and be a bit too poetic... and the lack of my skills to carry it off, so its a bit verbose and clumsy. I am also aware that I haven't dealt with land issues when it comes to the New Zealand context either, Maori as Tangata Whenua (indigenous people). I do hope folk will find it helpful and as per usual if any or all of it is of any use please feel free to take it and use it.
While the image with this post is me at Sandy Bay in Northland framed by the wonderful and gnarly branches of a Pohutukawa tree, I wrote it in my office. But even here across the asphalt expanse of our car park I am able to see the wonders of God's creation... The line about cabbage tree tufts dancing in the wind is a direct reference to the cabbage tree in our car park.
Father God,
who spoke and it came into being
We give you
thanks for the wonders of what you have made
We give you
thanks for…
Our unique
home islands with ever changing landscape,
Surf pounded
rugged coastline, gentle wave lapped shoreline
Deep fjord, sheltered
sound, safe harbour, wetland and estuary
Braided rivers
weaving their way along rich soil flood plains
rushing
mountain streams and the constant flow of mighty river
Bush clad
hills, mist coated hanging valleys, lush green farm land
volcanic
cone and thermal boil, still Lake and majestic mountains
Tussock
topped ridges and snow lined horizons
From Sub-tropical
north to isolated southern sub-Antarctic isles
Father God,
who spoke and it came into being
We give you
thanks for the wonders of what you have made
We give thank
you for…
The native
bush and introduced plant, growing wild or tended by us
Tall Kauri,
Totara, kahikatea, and southern beech; arms raised to you
The rings of
their wood telling of your provision long year after year
Manuka and
kanuka scrub, cabbage tree tuft, and toi toi feather
Rejoicing by
Dancing and swaying before you in the wind
Pohutukawa
red, kowhai gold, white of clematis climb and Mt Cook Daisy
Painting a
rich palate of praise, across a green canvas
The lawns, flowers
and shade trees of suburban garden,
crops and vegetables,
grape vines, fruit trees, gifts of your provision
Father
God, who spoke and it came into being
We give you
thanks for the wonders of what you have made
We give you
thanks for…
The animal
life that share this world and home with us
Marine life;
a myriad of crustacean and fish, wondrous sea mammals
Dolphin leap.
Kaikoura whale tail raised in praise before ocean plunge.
Sea bird
swirl, Gull squabble and squawk, majestic albatross glide
The dawn
chorus of native bird in bush clad hills, Tui, fantail, bell bird
And the echo
at dusk from urban tree by those introduced to this land
Rock still Tuatara,
skink and gecko scurry, Weta creep and crawl
Those kept
on farmland field: Cattle and sheep, horse and goat and deer.
Thank you for
the companionship of our pets that we keep near.
Father God,
who spoke and it came into being
We give you
thanks for the wonders of what you have made
We also
confess our mistreatment and neglect…
We have
exploited and destroyed, over used and abused.
Torn down
and cleared, diminished habitat and driven to extinction
Introduced toxins,
littered and dumped, taken it as right not seen it as gift
Father God
forgive us for these things we pray
We thank you
for your grace shown to us in Jesus Christ
We thank you
that because of Jesus death we are forgiven
We pray you would
fill us afresh with your Holy Spirit
Enable us to
live for you and care for your creation
That we may
join with all you have made to give you praise
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