Wednesday, September 7, 2016

A Prayer of thanks for Flora and Fauna Sunday... from New Zealand.



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  

No comments:

Post a Comment