1 September 2025, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

22nd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - MONDAY

Gospel: Luke 4:16–30

As Jesus proclaimed in the synagogue of Nazareth, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...” With confidence in his Spirit who makes all things new, let us pray for the needs of the Church, the world, and creation itself. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER or LORD, MAKE US SEEDS OF PEACE AND HOPE.

1. That the Church and her leaders may boldly proclaim, like Christ in the synagogue, liberty for the oppressed and good news for the poor, by guiding the faithful to care for our common home. Let us pray to the Lord.

2. That nations may reject violence, greed, and exploitation, and instead sow seeds of peace and hope through just stewardship of the earth’s resources. Let us pray to the Lord.

3. That parents, teachers, and leaders may form the young to be protectors of creation and witnesses of God’s kingdom of justice and compassion. Let us pray to the Lord.

4. That those who suffer the heaviest burdens of climate change, poverty, or injustice may find healing, freedom, and dignity through our solidarity and care. Let us pray to the Lord.

5. That those who have gone before us may now share in the fullness of Christ’s promise, abiding forever in God’s garden of life and peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

Loving Father, your Son Jesus came to bring sight to the blind and freedom to the oppressed. Send us your Spirit from on high, that we may be true seeds of peace and hope, sowing justice in our world and care for creation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Creation from Laudato Si’

This prayer by Pope Francis appeared at the end of his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si'. It is for all who believe in God who is the all-powerful Creator.

All powerful God,
you are present in the universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with your peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,
for justice, love and peace.