Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need
for us to look properly at God's gift of creation,
to listen to the many voices of nature
and act responsibly as stewards of this good earth,
our common home.
As an exercise in prayer and deepening awareness:
Choose something from the natural world.
It could be anything
from a stone to an acorn, a leaf or a fruit.
Stay with what you have chosen.
Look at it.
Feel it.
Smell it.
Share its silence
This is God's gift to you.
Let it be,
without a running commentary.
Simply enjoy it for what it is.
As you touch this small part of creation, it is touching you.
Hold it gently,
and allow yourself to be held
in the life-giving presence and power of our Creator,
whom you share with this small thing.
Gracious, generous God,
I thank you for the wonder and diversity of the natural world.
Have mercy on us all
for our misuse of this beautiful and fragile planet,
and show us how best
to cherish the earth
and safeguard its resources.