Marnie Klassen wrote this prayer for future generations as part of an Advent devotional for the Sunday after Christmas. This prayer was originally published in Journeying with Creation: Advent prayers in a time of climate change, and was shared with permission.
Marnie Klassen is a freelance writer and speaker, who lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she works on issues of climate, food justice, faith, ecumenism, settlement and migration, and more. She is part of the FreeChurch community, a post-evangelical, charismatic and Anabaptist faith community in Toronto’s West End. Marnie loves to grow food, hike, canoe, talk to strangers and watch Oscar nominees. You can find a sample of her work at marnieklassen.ca.
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God who bears witness to all of human history,
we have inherited the task of climate care from our ancestors, who made decisions,
knowingly or ignorantly, that have defiled your creation.
When we grow weary, remind us that our ancestors, like Simeon and Anna, also lived in
expectation of your renewal.
Our children, born, befriended or not yet dreamed of, rely on us for a livable future.
For their sakes, grant us endurance.
Teach us that we are ancestors of children not yet born, anxiously awaiting a future.
Grant that we may be faithful forebears.
Let us reflect, remembering the seven generations that precede us, learning from our
inherited gifts and challenges;
And let us live, imagining the seven generations that will come after us, trusting and
acting toward a world of beauty, a planet of sustenance.
Amen.
Invitation to action:
● Find out what your local school curriculum teaches about climate, land and biodiversity. Advocate for improvements! Check out this kids and climate newsletter for ideas that support climate education and action in schools.
● Alternatively, find a day to volunteer with an outdoor education program in your town, or simply make a financial donation to one.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog belong to the author and are not intended to represent the views of the MC USA Executive Board or staff.
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