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Restoring Eden is a growing community of Christians in conversation about what it means to be wise and loving stewards of creation and how that ethic is lived out in our lifestyle and politics.
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Lent 2010
This Lent season, we are encouraging you to prayerfully consider letting go of something that will have a positive impact on the environment in pursuit of a life that better reflects God's character and love. Perhaps you choose to take action, or perhaps you focus your prayers on environmental issues. Whatever you do, take a risk and see how God provides for you, changes you, and brings you closer to Him.We will be posting daily suggestions for actions and prayers, following along with the Tearfund's Carbon Fast. Even if you have never observed Lent or are starting late, don't hesitate to join us!
March 12th: Travel light and aerodynamic
Action: Remove roof racks and unnecessary weight from your car.
Prayer: God, show me where I need to change, where my life is burdening others and hurting you. Release me to love you more fully and help me to strive for justice for the oppressed and marginalized.
March 11th: Block unused fireplaces
Action: Stuff scrunched up newspaper up unused fireplaces to stop heat escaping through the chimney - a good method as it still allows a little air to circulate. We're half way through the Carbon Fast! How is it going? Spend some time reflecting today on what you've done so far. What's been easy and what's been more challenging? What have you learned?
Prayer: Give thanks for what you've achieved so far and how this has contributed towards reducing carbon use. Pray for inspiration and motivation for the rest of the Carbon Fast.
March 10th: Recycle!
Action: Super recycler at home? How is your office, school, or church? Make a commitment to set up better recycling schemes today and petition your local council for more recycling facilities.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that I won't be satisfied with changes I make in my life, but that I will take them out into my community. Please give me a voice to speak up about the injustice of climate change.
March 9th: Swap shop
Action: Arrange a swapping party with friends. Exchange clothes, DVDs, CDs, jewelery, and bags so everyone gets something new without a trip to the shops.
Prayer: God, thank you for farmers who work hard to provide food and income for their families. Please provide seeds, water, good soil, and the right seasons so that farmers can have adequate food and money to survive. Please help us to live sustainably to protect the land and the supply of water to grow crops.
March 8th: Have a technology fast
Action: Try a day with no TV, no iPod, no computer, and even no cell phone. Why not set aside a technology fast day each month? If you need to use a computer or phone for work, think of something you could do without today. Spend time reflecting on your use of technology - how does it impact your life and the lives of those around you? How could you use it more productively?
Prayer: Pray for governments, businesses, civil society, and the church to champion clean and sustainable development. Ask God to provide developing countries with resources to develop sustainably, and pray that rich countries will support this with technology and finance.
March 7th
Action & Prayer: As One Voice, the Global Poverty Prayer Week, draws to a close, give thanks to God for his grace and promise in bringing justice to a changing climate. Pray for millions of people be released from poverty and for Christians to increase their awareness of global justice issues.
March 6th: Make do and mend
Action: Do you have clothes you could wear for longer if you gave them a little TLC? Spend some time doing old-fashioned mending, or ask a friend for help.
Prayer: Father God, please calm the unsustainable rate of consumption and transform us into people who are content with what we have rather than striving to own more and more.
March 5th: Ask the climate question
Action: What is your Senator or Congressperson doing to tackle climate change? Write to them or arrange a meeting today.
Prayer: God, thank you for leaders who want to govern this country. Please help them to act justly, live with integrity and make wise decisions that protect people and the planet.
March 4th: Less is more
Action: Try to buy food with the least, or most recyclable, packaging, and avoid plastic bags.
Prayer: Ask God for wisdom for all those seeking to reduce impacts of disasters by preparedness, technology, and education. Thank God for countries who are seeking to build links between climate change adaptation and disaster work, and to continue to bless this work to protect more people from disasters.
March 3rd: Limescale reduces efficiency
Action: Fill your tea kettle with one-third vinegar and two-thirds water and soak overnight. Rinse, then boil the kettle, and discard the water. Then enjoy some tea with a friend!
Prayer: Ask God for clear, truthful, and authentic communication on climate change issues from churches, scientists, government, and the media, and for God's will to be done.
March 2nd: One Voice
Action: One voice. One people. One prayer. This week is Global Poverty Prayer Week. Join in to pray about injustice, pleading for people who are hungry and downtrodden, especially those suffering from the impacts of climate change. When we get quiet and listen to the whispers of God, we find ourselves tuning in to the voices of people in poverty. Drowned out by the noise of a world which beats to the rhythms of wealth and power, they call, unheard, for justice. As we pray, we join their calls and together turn up the volume on their voices.
Prayer: God, unite us in love with our global sisters and brothers. Open our eyes to your transformational vision for our world, in which poverty, oppression, and injustice have no place.
...See earlier actions and prayers
Action: Remove roof racks and unnecessary weight from your car.
Prayer: God, show me where I need to change, where my life is burdening others and hurting you. Release me to love you more fully and help me to strive for justice for the oppressed and marginalized.
March 11th: Block unused fireplaces
Action: Stuff scrunched up newspaper up unused fireplaces to stop heat escaping through the chimney - a good method as it still allows a little air to circulate. We're half way through the Carbon Fast! How is it going? Spend some time reflecting today on what you've done so far. What's been easy and what's been more challenging? What have you learned?
Prayer: Give thanks for what you've achieved so far and how this has contributed towards reducing carbon use. Pray for inspiration and motivation for the rest of the Carbon Fast.
March 10th: Recycle!
Action: Super recycler at home? How is your office, school, or church? Make a commitment to set up better recycling schemes today and petition your local council for more recycling facilities.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that I won't be satisfied with changes I make in my life, but that I will take them out into my community. Please give me a voice to speak up about the injustice of climate change.
March 9th: Swap shop
Action: Arrange a swapping party with friends. Exchange clothes, DVDs, CDs, jewelery, and bags so everyone gets something new without a trip to the shops.
Prayer: God, thank you for farmers who work hard to provide food and income for their families. Please provide seeds, water, good soil, and the right seasons so that farmers can have adequate food and money to survive. Please help us to live sustainably to protect the land and the supply of water to grow crops.
March 8th: Have a technology fast
Action: Try a day with no TV, no iPod, no computer, and even no cell phone. Why not set aside a technology fast day each month? If you need to use a computer or phone for work, think of something you could do without today. Spend time reflecting on your use of technology - how does it impact your life and the lives of those around you? How could you use it more productively?
Prayer: Pray for governments, businesses, civil society, and the church to champion clean and sustainable development. Ask God to provide developing countries with resources to develop sustainably, and pray that rich countries will support this with technology and finance.
March 7th
Action & Prayer: As One Voice, the Global Poverty Prayer Week, draws to a close, give thanks to God for his grace and promise in bringing justice to a changing climate. Pray for millions of people be released from poverty and for Christians to increase their awareness of global justice issues.
March 6th: Make do and mend
Action: Do you have clothes you could wear for longer if you gave them a little TLC? Spend some time doing old-fashioned mending, or ask a friend for help.
Prayer: Father God, please calm the unsustainable rate of consumption and transform us into people who are content with what we have rather than striving to own more and more.
March 5th: Ask the climate question
Action: What is your Senator or Congressperson doing to tackle climate change? Write to them or arrange a meeting today.
Prayer: God, thank you for leaders who want to govern this country. Please help them to act justly, live with integrity and make wise decisions that protect people and the planet.
March 4th: Less is more
Action: Try to buy food with the least, or most recyclable, packaging, and avoid plastic bags.
Prayer: Ask God for wisdom for all those seeking to reduce impacts of disasters by preparedness, technology, and education. Thank God for countries who are seeking to build links between climate change adaptation and disaster work, and to continue to bless this work to protect more people from disasters.
March 3rd: Limescale reduces efficiency
Action: Fill your tea kettle with one-third vinegar and two-thirds water and soak overnight. Rinse, then boil the kettle, and discard the water. Then enjoy some tea with a friend!
Prayer: Ask God for clear, truthful, and authentic communication on climate change issues from churches, scientists, government, and the media, and for God's will to be done.
March 2nd: One Voice
Action: One voice. One people. One prayer. This week is Global Poverty Prayer Week. Join in to pray about injustice, pleading for people who are hungry and downtrodden, especially those suffering from the impacts of climate change. When we get quiet and listen to the whispers of God, we find ourselves tuning in to the voices of people in poverty. Drowned out by the noise of a world which beats to the rhythms of wealth and power, they call, unheard, for justice. As we pray, we join their calls and together turn up the volume on their voices.
Prayer: God, unite us in love with our global sisters and brothers. Open our eyes to your transformational vision for our world, in which poverty, oppression, and injustice have no place.
...See earlier actions and prayers
Exciting News From Our Partner, RENEWAL:
Stories of Stewardship and Sustainability from the Next Generation
Renewal: Students Caring for Creation, a student-led, Christian environmental group, released the groundbreaking Green Awakenings Campus Report chronicling environmental initiatives on over 50 Christian colleges across the United States and Canada. The report highlights the growing movement of young Christians dedicated to caring for God's creation through mobilizing and equipping their campuses to be better stewards of the environment.
Read more here
For more information on Renewal and the Green Awakenings Campus Report, please contact Ben Lowe, at benlowe@renewingcreation.org or visit www.renewingcreation.org to see a pdf of the report.
Read more here
For more information on Renewal and the Green Awakenings Campus Report, please contact Ben Lowe, at benlowe@renewingcreation.org or visit www.renewingcreation.org to see a pdf of the report.
Green Awakenings Release