One of our churches in the Ripon area is looking continue the church’s response to tackling climate change with six new prayer videos.
St Mark’s Harrogate have put the videos together to share the prayers of their congregation that took place last year around the COP26 conference.
Frances Bryant, Prayer Coordinator at St Mark’s, said: “Last November during the Global Climate Summit, COP26, St Mark's released daily email reflections, incorporating videos, stories, prayers, facts and practical action to take in the face of the climate crisis.
“On the middle Sunday of the COP talks, we invited everyone at church to write their prayer for the Climate.
“Children drew pictures and wrote prayers, adults wrote prayers, and these were collected in and offered to God during the morning services as a corporate act of lament, intercession and hope for God's world.
“It was my privilege to collect the baskets of coloured paper from church and to read through some of the prayers written on that day.
“Many were very moving, all were honest and thoughtful, and there were several common themes.
“With the prayer videos we're now releasing we're seeking to continue that momentum of praying into the climate crisis.
“Themes and phrases from people's written prayers have been incorporated into six longer prayers which form the voiceovers for the prayer videos Janet is putting together.
“With a new video being released every two months our hope is that we continue to engage the congregation and the wider Christian community in prayer and action on the climate.
“With local scenes featuring in the videos our hope is that people recognise the vital part we can play here and now to safeguard Creation, both as a church family and as individuals.
“This year St Mark's is working towards its Silver Eco Church award.
“As a church we seek to pray and live in a way that blesses God's Creation.
“Being "green" is not an optional extra in the face of the climate crisis, so my hope is that these prayers can be part of helping us live out our faith in a meaningful and missional way.”
To find the prayer videos, please click here.