In 2015 Pope Francis declared September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.  Coinciding with a celebration instituted by the Orthodox Church, it is also a day of ecumenical prayer and unity.  Let us pray, in union with Pope Francis:

         All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
         and in the smallest of your creatures.
         You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
         Pour out upon us the power of your love,
         that we may protect life and beauty.
         Fill us with peace, that we may live
         as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

         O God of the poor,
         help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
         so precious in your eyes.
         Bring healing to our lives,
         that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
         that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

         Touch the hearts
         of those who look only for gain
         at the expense of the poor and the earth.
         Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
         to be filled with awe and contemplation,
         to recognize that we are profoundly united
         with every creature
         as we journey towards your infinite light.

         We thank you for being with us each day.
         Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
         for justice, love and peace.

         -- Pope Francis, Laudato Si’