Praying for the World

by Robert Corin Morris

1. Relax with a few deep breaths, using the rhythm of your breathing to center your awareness here, now, in the present moment.
2. Intentionally open yourself to the flow of the Spirit of God through your heart, mind, and body. Many people use the image of breathing the Breath of Life or sitting surrounded by the Light of God.
3. Envision the entire planet before you, as we have all seen it through the eyes of the astronauts. You may choose to be realistic in your envisioning, using all your senses to imagine the earth’s dappled blue oceans, rust-red-green continents, dazzling polar ice caps, and swirling cloud formations. Or you may prefer to see the whole planet more symbolically—as a political map, for instance, or by imagining differing populations of flora, fauna, and people.
4. Envision the whole planet being bathed in a visual symbol of God’s compassionate love for all creatures—a great Light that streams from above or with a strong but gentle Wind that bathes, moves, cleanses, nourishes, and heals. Let this Light or Wind envelop you also and join your own caring compassion with the flow of the Spirit’s intercession for the world.
5. Affirm the living “communion of saints” who care, pray, and work for the good of the world by imagining dots of light appearing like small stars all over the world. Let these lights connect into a web of light that girdles the globe, reminding you that your prayer joins a tide of prayer already happening.
6. You may wish to “zoom in” on particular situations or locations, moving imaginatively into a place where there is need or trouble. In each case, envision the difficulty sufficiently to be in touch with it but let your focus be on the Spirit, Light, or Wind that is moving through the situation. . . .
7. Conclude with the vision of the planet from space and a short verbal affirmation of your intention that “God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Offer the prayer with all its images and feelings to God as you understand God. Let it go into the divine Compassion.

How did this prayer help you connect with God’s creation? Share your experience with the community.

For more guidance to earth care as a spiritual practice, visit Caring for the Earth, including “10 Great Ways to Care for Creation”.

From Wrestling with Grace: A Spirituality for the Rough Edges of Daily Life by Robert Corin Morris. Copyright © 2003 by the author. Used with permission of Upper Room Books.

Art Credit: iStockphoto / Thinkstock

Tagged as: care, creation, environment, nature, prayer