Thanking God With Integrity Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change 1 World Drive, Mississauga, ON L5T 2Y4 World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. As followers of Jesus, we are motivated by God s love to serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
Thanking God With Integrity Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change by Willard Metzger copyright World Vision 2010 May be reproduced for not-for-profit use provided the source is properly acknowledged. -3-
Thanking God with Integrity L oving God, this meal is a demonstration of our love for You and Your creation. In a world that suffers from over consumption, we will not take more than we need. In a globe where producing enough food for all has been frustrated, we will not nurture apathy. Instead, in grateful celebration of this meal, help us strive towards an earth that is healthy enough to assure the well-being of everyone. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change Thanking God With Integrity Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change by Willard Metzger copyright World Vision 2010 May be reproduced for not-for-profit use provided the source is properly acknowledged. -38- -39- -3-
Foreward We live in a world of consumerism and affluence that struggles with the practice of thankfulness. Despite this, we find ourselves drawn to thankfulness as a way of life as irresistibly as a moth is drawn to a porch light. On some deep level of our psyche, we recognize that thankfulness is a practice of the heart, confirming our most intense intuitions that we need to develop our sense of the giftedness of life. But many of us flounder for words when we try to express our thankfulness in language. So we need pathways into this space that can slowly and gently teach us how we can give expression to our thankfulness. One of the easiest ways of doing this is to use the words of others who have found the words that glow with the luminescence of their faith. The prayers in this booklet are a delightful and engaging reminder of the importance of our acts of giving thanks when we share meals with our families and friends. Giving thanks for the gifts we receive from the Giver defines our very humanity, and invites us to live a truly fulfilling life. Saying these Volume prayers II: Table with Grace our in hearts a World Struggling could with begin Climate to change Change how we see our relationships with others, noticing those moments of grace and respect, the smiles and warmth of others around us. G od, every breath we take is evidence of Your loving mercy. And every meal we eat is evidence of Your Saying these nurturing prayers care. with our Help hearts our gratitude could begin and to change love how we see for politics You to and be equally economics, evident. transforming Not just them in the into an opportunity words we speak, for us to but act also as environmental in our care for citizens, the advocating environment, for those ways and of life with and lifestyles justice that that enhance can be the health of social and ecological communities. easily sustained by an earth we share with others. Saying these prayers with our hearts could begin to change how we see our faith nested within the beauty of the Creation, deepening our sense of how everything belongs to the Giver. Saying these prayers with our heart could begin to bring us into the centre of our hearts, where if the only prayer you say in your whole life is thank you, that would suffice. (Meister Johannes Eckhart) So let us begin. Rev. Dr. Mishka Lysack, assistant professor, Social Work - University of Calgary and Anglican minister -5- -37-
Foreward We live in a world of consumerism and affluence that struggles with the practice of thankfulness. Despite this, we find ourselves drawn to thankfulness as a way of life as irresistibly as a moth is drawn to a porch light. On some deep level of our psyche, we recognize that thankfulness is a practice of the heart, confirming our most intense intuitions that we need to develop our sense of the giftedness of life. But many of us flounder for words when we try to express our thankfulness in language. So we need pathways into this space that can slowly and gently teach us how we can give expression to our thankfulness. One of the easiest ways of doing this is to use the words of others who have found the words that glow with the luminescence of their faith. The prayers in this booklet are a delightful and engaging reminder of the importance of our acts of giving thanks when we share meals with our families and friends. Giving thanks for the gifts we receive from the Giver defines our very humanity, and invites us to live a truly fulfilling life. Saying Volume these II: Table prayers Grace in a World with Struggling our hearts with Climate could Change begin to change how we see G od, our relationships with others, noticing those moments of grace every and breath respect, we take the smiles is evidence and warmth of others around of Your us. loving mercy. And every meal we eat is evidence of Your nurturing Saying these care. prayers Help with our our gratitude hearts and could love begin to change for how You we to see be politics equally and evident. economics, Not just transforming the them words into an we opportunity speak, but for also us in to act our as care environmental for the citizens, environment, advocating for and those with ways lifestyles of and that justice can be that enhance the health of social and ecological communities. easily sustained by an earth we share with others. Saying these prayers with our hearts could begin to change how we see our faith nested within the beauty of the Creation, deepening our sense of how everything belongs to the Giver. Saying these prayers with our heart could begin to bring us into the centre of our hearts, where if the only prayer you say in your whole life is thank you, that would suffice. (Meister Johannes Eckhart) So let us begin. Rev. Dr. Mishka Lysack, assistant professor, Social Work - University of Calgary and Anglican minister -37- -5-
Thanking Thanking God with God Integrity with Integrity Introduction Probably A s we gather around this meal, oh God, we are reminded that everyone the greatest needs to cause eat. So of in climate Your mercy, change You is the have neglect designed of creation an earth care. that The can earth adequately is dependent provide enough upon our food care for just all. as However, are in dependent Your wisdom, upon the oh earth God, for You our have existence. created an This earth is a mutual that also responsibility requires our developed care to preserve by the Creator. its ability God to feed intended everyone. that we Let remain this meal feed good us stewards with the of strength the very to earth joyfully that fulfill feeds our us (Gen. responsibility. 1:26). The problem is, we have taken the earth for granted. We assume it will always be there, and that it will always produce food to sustain us. However, reckless abandonment of our responsibility will only result in our own sorrow and increasing sorrow for our children. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change to reduce our impact on climate change. But what better way to begin to accept responsibility than by recovering a spirit of gratitude. It is my hope that as we express gratitude for the love of God conveyed in creation, we will joyfully re-embrace our responsibility to care for that same creation. These table graces are intended as a first step in recovering our sense of responsibility. Threat of our demise may prompt us into creation care action. Guilt may propel us -7- -34- -6-
Thanking Thanking God with God Integrity with Integrity Introduction A s we gather around this meal, oh God, we are reminded that everyone Probably needs the to greatest eat. So in cause Your of mercy, climate You change have is designed the neglect an earth of creation that can care. adequately The earth provide is dependent enough food upon for our all. care However, just as in we are Your dependent wisdom, oh upon God, the You earth have for created our existence. an earth This that is also a mutual requires responsibility our care to preserve developed by its ability the Creator. feed everyone. God intended Let this that meal we remain feed us with good the stewards strength of to the joyfully very earth fulfill that our feeds us responsibility. (Gen. 1:26). The problem is, we have taken the earth for granted. We assume it will always be there, and that it will always produce food to sustain us. However, reckless abandonment of our responsibility will only result in our own sorrow and increasing sorrow for our children. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change to reduce our impact on climate change. But what better way to begin to accept responsibility than by recovering a spirit of gratitude. It is my hope that as we express gratitude for the love of God conveyed in creation, we will joyfully re-embrace our responsibility to care for that same creation. These table graces are intended as a first step in recovering our sense of responsibility. Threat of our demise may prompt us into creation care action. Guilt may propel us -34- -6- -7-
Thanking God with Integrity D ear God, it is when we share a meal with others, that we are reminded of our common need. All of us are dependent on the grace of Your creation. Help this shared meal together feed a joint desire to express our thankfulness, by making care for the earth, a common experience. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change G od, every meal provides us with an opportunity to give You thanks. And every day supplies us with reason to offer You praise: Life sustained by the earth. Do not allow neglect of the earth to rob us of the opportunities to give You praise. Strengthen our efforts to sustain a healthy earth so that every day provides regular opportunities to give You praise. -32- -33-
Thanking God with Integrity D ear God, it is when we share a meal with others, that we are reminded of our common need. All of us are dependent on the grace of Your creation. Help this shared meal together feed a joint desire to express our thankfulness, by making care for the earth, a common experience. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change G od, every meal provides us with an opportunity to give You thanks. And every day supplies us with reason to offer You praise: Life sustained by the earth. Do not allow neglect of the earth to rob us of the opportunities to give You praise. Strengthen our efforts to sustain a healthy earth so that every day provides regular opportunities to give You praise. -32- -33-
Thanking Thanking God with God Integrity with Integrity T his food does not come to us without cost. It comes to us through human O h God, although creation freely effort gives and itself we to are feed thankful. us, we But must not assume that the gift of food is free even of more responsibility. so, this food Our comes children to us depend as a gift upon of the earth. us to maintain Creation has the health given itself of an so earth that that our lives will can sustain be sustained them. Your and demand we are thankful. for justice, In our oh gratitude, God, requires oh God, that we our acknowledge lives contribute the to true the cost well-being of this food. of And the earth. in our In worship gratitude of for You, this help food us renew so graciously our commitment supplied, to help care us live for the in earth. such a way that the health of the earth will continue to be able to feed others. Amen -10- -30-
Thanking Thanking God with God Integrity with Integrity O h God, although creation freely gives itself to feed us, we must not T his food does not come to us without cost. It comes to us through human assume effort that the and gift we of are food thankful. is free But of responsibility. even more so, Our this children food comes depend to us upon as a gift of us to the maintain earth. the Creation health has of an given earth itself that so that our will sustain lives can them. be sustained Your demand and for we justice, are thankful. oh God, In our requires gratitude, that oh our God, lives we contribute acknowledge to the the well-being true cost of of this the earth. food. And In gratitude in our worship for of this food You, so help graciously us renew supplied, our commitment help us live to care in such for a the way earth. that the health of the earth will continue to be able to feed others. Amen -30- -10-
Thanking God with Integrity A ll we have is what You have given us, Lord. Life is a gift. Food is a gift. This earth is a gift. Help us live lives that express our gratitude for all Your gifts life, food, and the beauty of this earth. Amen Volume Volume II: Table II: Grace Table in Grace a World in a Struggling World Struggling with Climate with Climate Change Change L ord, you have instructed us to be like little children. So like adoring G racious God, we will not neglect to give You thanks for this food. children, Neither help will us freely we neglect express to remember our love to the You. earth As that grateful has provided children, this help food. us eat For the this meal sincerity with of deep our appreciation. gratitude is displayed And as in our obedient commitment children, to help care us for live the as earth. stewards Grant us of the strength earth. Receive in our efforts our love, of gratitude. accept our gratitude, and strengthen our obedience. Amen -12- -13- -29-
Thanking God with Integrity A ll we have is what You have given us, Lord. Life is a gift. Food is a gift. This earth is a gift. Help us live lives that express our gratitude for all Your gifts life, food, and the beauty of this earth. Amen Volume Volume II: Table II: Grace Table in Grace a World in a Struggling World Struggling with Climate with Climate Change Change G racious God, we will not neglect to give You thanks for this food. L ord, you have instructed us to be like little children. So like adoring Neither children, will we help neglect us freely to remember express our the earth love to that You. has As provided grateful this children, food. For help the us eat sincerity this meal of our with gratitude deep appreciation. is displayed in And our as commitment obedient to children, care for help the earth. us live Grant as stewards us strength of the in earth. our efforts Receive of gratitude. our love, accept our gratitude, and strengthen our obedience. Amen -29- -13- -12-
Thanking Thanking God with God Integrity with Integrity L oving God, in Your wisdom, You have made us dependent our I f a fallen sparrow never fails to attract Your attention, then neither environment. does the Our wilting well-being of a plant is escape linked Your to the notice. health As of Creator, the earth. You Without love all that You, You oh God, have we created. have no In hope. our receiving And without of this a healthy food environment, necessary we for have our survival, no future and here. in the In humble expression recognition of our gratitude of our need, critical we receive to our this meal fulfillment, with thanksgiving, help us care and for that respect which our You environment have created in praise. and never Keep allow our bodies its illness strong to go and our unnoticed. environment healthy, so both will bring You praise. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change W e crave for You, oh God, as we crave for food. As our bodies need nourishment so our souls need to be fed by You. You are our life and joy, as food is life and joy to our bodies. Increase our craving for environmental justice and our hunger for the well-being of all creation. For when we align ourselves to Your efforts of restoration and seek the health of all You have created, You are filled with joy and delight, and our craving to bring You praise is satisfied. -14- -26- -27-
Thanking Thanking God with God Integrity with Integrity I f a fallen sparrow never fails to attract Your attention, then neither L oving God, in Your wisdom, You have made us dependent on our does environment. the wilting of Our a plant well-being escape is Your linked notice. to As the Creator, health You of the love earth. all that Without You have You, created. oh God, In we our have receiving no hope. of And this without a food healthy necessary environment, for our survival, we have and no in future the here. expression In humble of our recognition gratitude of critical our need, to our we receive fulfillment, this meal help with us care thanksgiving, for that which and respect You our have environment created and never in praise. allow Keep its illness our bodies to go strong unnoticed. and our environment healthy, so both will bring You praise. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change W e crave for You, oh God, as we crave for food. As our bodies need nourishment so our souls need to be fed by You. You are our life and joy, as food is life and joy to our bodies. Increase our craving for environmental justice and our hunger for the well-being of all creation. For when we align ourselves to Your efforts of restoration and seek the health of all You have created, You are filled with joy and delight, and our craving to bring You praise is satisfied. -26- -14- -27-
Thanking God with Integrity O h God, Your mercy defends us and the gift of creation sustains us. In response to Your gifts of mercy and love, help us not eat that which we will not also defend. Help us not to embrace lifestyles that cannot also be sustained by the earth. Receive our commitment of praise and our expression of gratitude. Amen Volume Volume II: Table II: Grace Table in Grace a World in a Struggling World Struggling with Climate with Climate Change Change S eparating the consumption of our food from environmental care is no W ithout You, oh Lord, there is no fullness of life. You have created the more earth possible and than, all its separating fullness. By Your it we are grace, fed oh and God, nourished. from Forgive forgiveness. us when Our we see forgiveness ourselves is dependent as the centre on of Your all life, grace and so neglect is our food our responsibility dependent to a healthy care for environment. the rest of life. In May gratitude our grateful for feeding this food, today help strengthen us care for all the our commitment earth, that we for may a healthy bring You environment fullness of joy. tomorrow. -16- -17- -25-
Thanking God with Integrity O h God, Your mercy defends us and the gift of creation sustains us. In response to Your gifts of mercy and love, help us not eat that which we will not also defend. Help us not to embrace lifestyles that cannot also be sustained by the earth. Receive our commitment of praise and our expression of gratitude. Amen Volume Volume II: Table II: Grace Table in Grace a World in a Struggling World Struggling with Climate with Climate Change Change W ithout You, oh Lord, there is no fullness of life. You have created the S eparating the consumption of our food from environmental care is no earth more and all possible its fullness. than, By separating it we are Your fed and grace, nourished. oh God, Forgive from our us forgiveness. when we see Our ourselves forgiveness as the centre is dependent of all life, on and Your neglect grace so is our responsibility our food dependent to care on for a the healthy rest of environment. life. In gratitude May for our this grateful food, feeding help us today care for strengthen all the earth, our that commitment we may bring for You a healthy fullness environment of joy. tomorrow. -25- -17- -16-
Thanking Thanking God with God Integrity with Integrity A ll of creation belongs to You, God. Let never consume in such a way W e pause to give You thanks, God, because we know that food is a gift. to suggest Help us that never we deserve to take it more for granted, than others. nor Rather, to disregard let us live the earth our lives from in which clear it acknowledgement comes. Help this that pause all You of have gratitude created produce is intended uninterrupted to sustain lives all You that have bring created. You praise Cause and this food provide to feed care our for determination Your earth. to share more equally and live more justly. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change A s Your children, oh Lord, we never want to scorn Your grace and mercy. So this gift of food compels us to give You thanks. As Your people, oh God, we never want to scorn Your gifts. So this food compels us to express care for Your creation. For both the earth in which we live and the food which we enjoy are gifts of Your grace. -18- -22- -23-
Thanking Thanking God with God Integrity with Integrity W e pause to give You thanks, God, because we know that food is a gift. A ll of creation belongs to You, God. Let us never consume in such a way Help to us suggest never to that take we it deserve for granted, more than nor to others. disregard Rather, let earth us live from our which lives it in clear comes. acknowledgement Help this pause of that gratitude all You have produce created is uninterrupted intended to lives sustain that bring all You You have praise created. and Cause provide this care food for to Your feed earth. our determination to share more equally and live more justly. Volume II: Table Grace in a World Struggling with Climate Change A s Your children, oh Lord, we never want to scorn Your grace and mercy. So this gift of food compels us to give You thanks. As Your people, oh God, we never want to scorn Your gifts. So this food compels us to express care for Your creation. For both the earth in which we live and the food which we enjoy are gifts of Your grace. -22- -18- -23-