Advent Antiphons
December 18, 2009
As we near Christmas day I’ve enjoyed reading the historic “O Antiphons”, beautiful meditations on the character of Jesus dating from at least the eighth century. You may recognize many of the phrases if you know the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. Consider meditating on one each day as we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
“O Wisdom which camest out of the mouth of the most high, reaching from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things;
come and shew us the way of understanding.
“O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, who didst appear to Moses in a flame of fire in the bush and gavest him the Law in Sinai;
come and redeem us with thine outstretched arms.
“O Root of Jesse who standest as the ensign of the people, before whom kings shall not open their lips, to whom the nations shall pray;
come and deliver us, tarry now no more.
“O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel, thou that openest and no man shutteth, who shutteth and no man openeth;
come and lead the captive from prison, sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.
“O Dayspring, splendour of eternal light and sun of righteousness;
come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
“O King of Nations and their desired one, thou corner-stone who makest both one;
come and save man whom thou hast formed from clay.
“O Emmanuel our king and lawgiver, the hope of all nations and their saviour;
come and save us, O Lord our God.”
Source: http://nottinghamchurches.org/seasons/o.html
A Prayer for Creation
December 14, 2009
A stewards’ prayer from Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision Australia
“Most gracious God, creator of all good things, we thank you for the precious gift of life, for the intricate cycles and the beautiful balances that sustain it, and for the unfolding story of planet earth and all creatures that share it. We thank you for all earth’s people. You have inspired us to do much that is good and beautiful and true, but we have also chosen to act in ways that are destructive, selfish, ugly and false. Through ignorance and carelessness we have poisoned clean air and pure water. For monetary gain we have reduced verdant forests to barren wastes. In our craving for more we have plundered your beloved creation and driven many of our fellow creatures to extinction. Only recently have we begun to realize the dangerous future into which our current patterns of consumption and waste are driving us, especially in relation to earth’s climate. Only recently have we begun to see our need to find a wiser and better way of life in the future, before it is too late and our choices are limited by the consequences of inaction.
We who join in prayer today believe the time has come, Lord. Please guide us now, our God, at this critical moment in history, to better fulfill our role as stewards of this fragile planet. Inspire us and empower us to turn from thoughtless consumption and greedy destruction, to embrace and choose instead lives of caring protection and sacred regeneration. Help us discover again a wholesome and sustainable way of life that reflects your wisdom, your compassion, your justice, and your love. Help us reject the lie that there is no alternative to greed and careless exploitation, and help us believe your truth — that true prosperity, life in all its fullness, can only come from wise stewardship, mutual responsibility, and mutual care.
Guide the leaders of nations who (will) gather in Copenhagen (on December 6). Give them courage to set noble goals that reach beyond short-range political expediency, short-term economic profit, and short-sighted self-interest. Grant them foresight into a troubled future characterized by rising sea levels, spreading droughts and deserts, melting glaciers, suffering families and displaced populations, ravaging diseases, and catastrophic famines. Move them to choose a better future. Impress upon their conscience our sacred duty to bequeath to our children and grandchildren a healthy and thriving environment rather than a world in climate crisis.
If our leaders fail, Lord, if they fail to take the necessary action, they will violate both our trust and your calling to use their power for the common good. If they fail, every person will be affected, including generations not yet born. Please, God of justice and compassion, do not let the poorest and youngest among us, who have done the least to create this crisis, to suffer the unchecked consequences of the reckless greed and arrogant complacency of the wealthiest and most comfortable. Instead, move the prosperous nations to bear their fair share of the solution, in just proportion to their contribution to the problem. Rouse us all to action for we are all woven together in the fabric of creation.
This is the moment, God, when a great turning of hearts must begin. So through this prayer, we of many traditions who follow Christ — joined by friends and neighbors of many faiths – unite our hearts in a cry for change. At first a few of us, and then hundreds, and then many thousands, join together as one to pray to you on behalf of our leaders, in solidarity with the poor, in strong hope for the healing of this beautiful world, your creation and our home. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray in the name of Christ, through whom you have given yourself to the whole world in incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. Amen.”
Tim Costello, is CEO of World Vision Australia. You can follow his blog here.
350, a number to know (October 24, 2009)
October 23, 2009
350.org spearheaded by author, speaker, and fellow brother in the Lord, Bill McKibben, is getting the word out about parts per million as it relates to climate change.
350 parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.
On October 24, 2009, people, families, and communities will unite behind the 350 goal in a planetary day of action
To learn more, read, watch, laugh or find events in your neighborhood click here.
National Day of Prayer for Creation (Renewal’s 2nd Annual)
October 21, 2009
Christian young people from around the country are calling the church to a day of prayer and fasting on the care of creation! Facilitated by Renewal: Students Caring for Creation, these Christians college students and many others are saying that we have to get our stewardship of creation right. They want Christ proclaimed in the field of the environment, indeed they want all people to realize that yes Christ is indeed sovereign over all creation. That the gospel brings good news to all creation and that as his people, his new creation, we can rediscover the Father’s heart for all that he has made.
I’ll be celebrating this National Day of Prayer by attending a morning prayer breakfast on creation care, followed by a day where I am privleged to present these sort of prospectives before our national leaders.
My prayer for today is that we would humble ourselves before God for our stewardship of creation and that we would be bold by the Spirit to proclaim the name of Christ, as the true sovereign over all creation, in all realms and before all peoples.
Deep Green Evangelism
October 16, 2009
by Rev. Mitch Hescox
Something we’re missing. Riding in a cab after two consecutive days of coast-to-coast flying with six hours of presentations and meetings tossed between, I started a conversation with my young driver. We chatted over the area, weather, coffee (which I was in desperate need), local jobs, and the economy. “People around here take the environment seriously, we’re sort of an outdoors kinda’ people,” shared Michael. “I went to the local book-store a while back and found something called the Green Bible.” My younger brother died not too long ago, and I’m trying to figure things out,” Michael continued. “I gotten through the Genesis part, but so far I have more questions than answers.” As Michael paused and looked over with a glancing gaze with maybe you think I’m crazy expression, I admit to a little chuckle. “Michael, in my briefcase is my Green Bible. “ Michael, I spent the last 20 years being a pastor and now help churches and our government understand how important it is to care for God’s creation,” I replied to a very surprised taxi-driver. Michael shared a little more of his live, his hurt, his confession. How a friends were turning to God and others away from God. “I spend some time in church as a kid, but I don’t have much use for church,” Michael stated. “Let’s start with your questions and try to build a relationship with God before we worry about the church,” I replied.
We spent the next 20 minutes discussing Scripture, his questions and his feelings. As we arrived at my destination, I simply asked Michael if I could pray for him. After laying hands on my new friend and praying, I offered him my card and asked him to email his questions so our conversation might continue. However, the story isn’t over. The next day on my return trip with some colleagues. Our now woman cab driver wanted to know if anyone had travelled alone by taxi the day before. I confessed! She immediately shared how her son Michael had come home yesterday waving my card and telling his mom about our conversation. Only the Lord knows the outcome of this serendipitous moment, but without the Green Bible inspired by Dr. Cal DeWitt a connection would have never happened.
Creation care and our stewardship for the earth are not only a Biblical mandate, but also perhaps the greatest 21st century evangelism gift. Are we awake enough to make the connection?
____
Rev. Mitch Hescox, President/C.E.O. – EEN
Renewal Hosts 2nd Annual Prayer for Creation
October 12, 2009
Renewal is hosting its second annual Day of Prayer for God’s Creation. EEN invites you to join Christian students around North America as we stand together and pray for the renewal of God’s creation! Find out more by visiting Renewal’s website here.
This year’s focus is on Energy Stewardship & Climate Change: Recognizing the severe degradation of human and environmental health caused by poor stewardship of energy resources, Renewal’s student leaders have chosen to focus this year’s Day of Prayer for God’s Creation on energy stewardship & climate change.
Where: Christian colleges, churches, and communities across North America!
Why: Prayer is central to who we are as Christians. Through this simple and powerful practice, we express gratitude to God and communicate our need for guidance, grace, and forgiveness.
Renewal believes that prayer is an important practice for all of us as we seek to reclaim and renew our Biblical calling to care for God’s creation. Once a year, in the fall, Renewal calls on Christians to participate in a day of prayer to seek forgiveness, wisdom, and leadership in caring for the whole of God’s creation. Renewal issues this call every year as an open invitation to all Christians.
This year, Renewal is calling on Christians to pray for energy stewardship and climate change. Renewal believes this expression of unity in prayer is vital during an age wherein our careless and irresponsible stewardship of energy resources has led to severe harm such as: air and water pollution, climate change, mountaintop removal, environmental injustice, and violence and economic instability.
By coming together in prayer, we stand in solidarity with the people and places that are being harmed by poor stewardship of energy resources. On October 21st 2009, we will collectively express our concern as Christians, acknowledge our participation in this broken and destructive system, and ask for grace, forgiveness, and guidance as we seek God’s help to address this crisis.
As Christians, we’re called to be “the light of the world,” and to demonstrate Christ’s vision of hope. In this time of darkness, we are called to pray for guidance, present solutions, and reach out to our neighbors who have been harmed by poor energy stewardship and climate change.
Overconsumption of our energy resources has led to great harm, but with God’s help we can make needed changes and offer practical solutions that offer hope to the people and places affected. The 2009 Day of Prayer for God’s Creation is an opportunity to shine a new kind of light, and demonstrate Christ’s hope for the world in this important area.
How: On October 21st, join Christian students around North America as we gather to fast and pray for God’s creation.
The students of Renewal are inviting all Christians to join us in fasting from one source of energy use for the day. Examples include: not driving for the day, shutting off lights, fasting from cell phones, television, computers, or other sources of electricity, eating vegetarian for the day, etc.
In the evening, Christian students on campuses across North America will demonstrate their unity and solidarity by turning off the lights for one hour, and hosting prayer vigils for a time of prayer for the people, places, and wildlife that are harmed through poor stewardship of energy resources. These prayer vigils should reflect your community and could include: a candle-lit service, a prayer meeting under the stars, a chapel or church service, a prayer walk, etc. Use your God-given creativity!
Renewal is inviting all Christians to participate in this day of prayer and fasting. We encourage you to join in the personal fast and organize a prayer event in your community!
