This view of Abell 3627 shows a tail that was created as a galaxy and is now plunging into a cluster of stars, shedding material and forming stars behind it. Astronomers estimate that star Abell 3627 was formed within the last 10 million years.
Material for this week's daily prayer is taken from Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God's Creation, Sam Hamilton Poore, 2008 (Upper Room Books).
Opening
Many and great, O God are your works,
Maker of earth and sky.
Your hands set the heavens with stars,
Your fingers spread the mountains and plains.
Lo, at your word the waters were formed;
Deep seas obey your voice.
This hymn from the Native American tradition was written by Joseph Renville (1779-1846). It references Psalm 8, Genesis 1 and 2. It is in The United Methodist Hymnal.
Read James 4:8-17
Reflection
The ecological teaching of the Bible is simply inescapable. God made the world because God wanted it made. God thinks the world is good, and God loves it. It is God's world; God has never relinquished title to it. And God has never revoked the conditions, bearing on God's gift to us of the use of it, that oblige us to take excellent care of it. If God loves the world, then how might any person of faith be excused for not loving it or justified in destroying it.
Wendell Berry, What Are People For? p98
Prayer
God of unchangeable power,
when you fashioned the world
the morning stars sang together,
and the host of heaven shouted for joy;
open our eyes to the wonders of creation
and teach us to use all things for good,
to the honor of your glorious name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
May you greet the goodness of God
in everyone you meet
in every place you go
this day.
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