Praying with Creation: The Season after Pentecost
The Holy Trinity through the Reign of Christ Sunday
Year C

by Dennis Ormseth

The Holy Trinity

Prov. 8:1-4, 22-31 Ps. 8 Rom. 5:1-5 Jn 16:12-15
How majestic, O Lord, our Sovereign, is your name on earth and in the heavens. All creation is aglow and warm because of the work of your hands. Kindle in us not only a sense of wonder at these marvels; but arouse in us a deep sense of responsibility to care for what you have made and done. How majestic, O Triune God, is your name on earth and in the heavens.

Second Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 17:17-24 Ps. 30 Gal. 1:11-24 Lk. 7:11-17
Out of love you have revealed yourself to us in Jesus Christ. All creation calls on your Spirit as its comforter and healer. Even the dust of this distressed earth longs for renewed power to give life. Heal this broken world, especially where your creatures are hungry, afflicted, at war, or in any need, and inspire us to be faithful disciples of the one in whose name we have been baptized, called, and sent.

Third Sunday after Pentecost

2 Sam. 11:26-12:10, 13-15 Ps. 32 Gal. 2:15-21 Lk. 7:36-8:3
Because you are a forgiving God we are happy and your creation is hopeful, for there is no reason for us to hide our sin. We confess that our imperial ways waste the habitat of your most vulnerable creatures, both human and otherkind. By your mercy restore to us, as to the woman of the city who anointed Jesus with oil, the joy of loving and righteous use of the gifts of your creation.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Isa. 65:1-9 Ps. 22:18-27 Gal. 3:23-29 Lk. 8:26-39
While we are a rebellious and provocative people, you are a patient God, judging and forgiving. In Jesus, all creatures of earth see your mercy. If in him there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, can there be humankind and otherkind? Liberate your whole creation –- even our homely friends, the pigs -- from those powers that would keep us from enjoying its goodness all our days.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 Ps. 16 Gal. 5:1, 13-25 Lk. 9:51-62
Our hearts are glad, our souls rejoice, and our bodies rest secure in you, O God, our Protector. Your son Jesus restrained his disciples from violent and destructive actions. We pray for strength to resist in our selves and from others those actions which deprive the neighbors you have commanded us to love of either their lives, or their neighborhoods.

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 Psalm 49:1-12 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21
Spirit of God, you infuse all creation with manifold and astounding meanings and purposes. We often see only what benefits humankind, and are blind to the full riches of your creation. Lift our vision to see more clearly the love you have for all life.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 15:1-6 Psalm 33:12-22 Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40
Gracious Creator, your promises are written into the fabric of the universe. Teach us to read them with the insight of faith, and deliver us from the anxieties and fears that hinder their fulfillment.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Jeremiah 23:23-29 Psalm 82 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56
God of all, you are far off as well as near. You see what may be coming, and so judge justly. As Jesus noted, we do read changes in the weather rather well. But changes in the climate confound us, and we find right decisions about our impact on it difficult to make. Give us wisdom to so faithfully care for the earth’s atmosphere, that all living creatures might share its benefits with justice and peace.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 58:96-14 Psalm 103:1-8 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17
Healing God, we look forward in hope to the day when by your mercy all things in your creation will be renewed and restored. You promised that your faithful people will be known as “repairers of the breach.” Give us courage to lead our nation in care of the earth, and to assist you in the healing of all its inhabitants.

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Psalm 37:1-9; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10
Faithful God, we are impatient people—too ready to gather in goods we have not earned, too ready to emulate those who gain power through exploiting others, too unready to serve where we can’t see the reward.   Teach us the patience of a watered land. Teach us to cultivate and tend the spirit, that we may bring forth your harvest of justice.

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c ; Psalm 111; 2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19
Healing God, your faithfulness extends to all lands and peoples, even those we perceive as enemies. We pray for our earth: bring healing and wholeness where human pride and greed threaten to bring ruin. Heal our pride, Lord; bring peace, Lord.

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5; Luke 18:1-8
Lord, we would lift our eyes to the majesty of your creation; we yearn to protect and share the beauties of this earth. But we confess our inability to raise our sights to you; we confess our weakness in wrestling with the cares and injustices of this world. Grant us the faith to see beyond ourselves to your enduring care.

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Jeremiah 31:1-34 ; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36
Saving God, you know we fear when the natural systems of earth seem to rage beyond our control. Help us, God of all creation, to understand that the earth and its fullness is yours, and to recognize our responsibilities for sustaining its gifts. Guide us in our stewardship.

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 1:1-10; Psalm 32:1-7; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-14; Luke 19:1-10
Saving God, hope of those whose land lies desolate, we stand before you knowing our hands are not clean. The evidence of our failure to care for creation cries out from the streets of our cities; groans sound from wasted lands. Enlighten us, we pray, as to how we may pursue justice, that our good intentions toward your creation may yet be fulfilled.

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Job 19:23-27a; Psalm 17:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38
Living God, we are beset on many sides by distractions and detractors: those who would have us place our hope in appearances, in wealth and power. Help us to keep you in the center of our sight, that we may hold fast to what is life giving, and live in your grace.

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Malachi 4:1-2a; Psalm 98; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13; Luke 21:5-19
Loving God, you sustain us when we are tired, long before the work you would have us do is done. Help us to hear the music of your universe:the rush and chatter of clean rivers, birdsong rising again in restored forests, the surge and hush of unpolluted seas. For these celebrate the righteousness of your judgments.

The Reign of Christ Sunday

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43
Sovereign over all things, we acknowledge this universe was made for good, yet we tremble when vast systems shift and crumble despite our efforts to control them. Forgive our vain attempts to turn your gracious order to our profit and victory. Guide us in the ways of peace and reconciliation that we may enter into your unending and joyful reign.