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How to pray for the climate crisis

An easy-to-use guide to help individuals, groups and churches to pray for the climate crisis in creative ways.

Written by Tearfund | 21 Mar 2023

A prayer and worship meeting at Kiyebe Church, Uganda. Credit: Will Chamberlin/Tearfund

The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time. We have a collective responsibility to care for God’s creation, and we believe prayer can make a powerful difference. But it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve created this prayer guide. It highlights five different areas of the climate crisis to pray for, followed by five creative ways that you can pray.

What to pray for

The impact of climate change on vulnerable communities

  • Pray for protection for communities who are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including people living in poverty, indigenous peoples, and coastal communities.
  • Pray for resources and solutions to help these communities adapt to the changing climate and protect them from harm.
  • Pray for justice and for fair policies to be implemented to support these communities.

The need for governments and corporations to address the climate crisis

  • Pray for leaders in government and corporations to acknowledge the urgency of the climate crisis and take bold action to tackle it.
  • Pray for policies and regulations that prioritise sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Pray for transparency and accountability in corporate practices related to the environment.

The role of the church in tackling climate change

  • Pray for the church to recognise and respond to the urgent need for collective action to combat climate change.
  • Pray for opportunities for education and discussion within the church community to raise awareness of the climate crisis.
  • Pray for local churches around the world who are already doing so much to address this issue.

The impact of climate change on wider creation

  • Pray for the protection and preservation of wildlife and ecosystems affected by climate change.
  • Pray for resources and solutions to restore natural habitats and protect endangered species.
  • Pray that the huge harm already done to creation can begin to be reversed, so that all life can thrive.

The need for renewable energy

  • Pray for advances in technology and infrastructure to support renewable energy sources.
  • Pray for policies and practices that support the transition to renewable energy and phase out the use of harmful fossil fuels.
  • Pray for individual and collective actions to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability.

Five creative ways to pray for the climate crisis

  1. Pray while taking a nature walk in your local area, thanking God for the beauty of creation and asking for guidance in protecting it.
  2. Write a poem, song or psalm about God's creation and the need to care for it. Or, draw a picture of what ‘caring for creation’ means to you.
  3. Create a prayer room in your home, church or other space, and use it to pray specifically for the climate crisis. We have resources here to help you.
  4. Join a prayer group or community dedicated to praying for the environment and the climate crisis. You could sign up to receive SMS prayer alerts from Tearfund’s climate-prayer community.
  5. Fast from something that contributes to the climate crisis, such as single-use plastics or meat, and use the time to pray and reflect on the need for change. You can find more info on single-use plastics here.

Thank you for joining us in praying for the climate crisis. It’s a situation that can seem desperately overwhelming, but we can find strength in the fact that we don’t have to face it alone. Together, as God’s church, we can make a real difference. 

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Written by  Tearfund

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