Prayer for the Burning Amazon Forest

Loving God, the Amazon is on fire!
We come before you with a heavy and contrite heart.
We know your heart must be deeply grieved
as you hear the cries of the innocent trees, creatures,
rivers and indigenous communities as their home burns.

We pray that in your mercy, you will forgive us
for our way of life, for we have created the markets
for beef, timber and minerals taken from the Amazon.

We pray that you will forgive those who have set the fires
in the Amazon, those who have cut down the ancient trees,
those who plunder its precious resources,
to fulfill human desire for things.

Oh God, your mercy is infinite.
Only your power can save us from choosing destruction,
Grant us your grace to turn to better and kinder ways of living.
Rain down your love to heal the scorched earth and its inhabitants.
May your love, justice and peace reign for all creation always.

In the name of your son, Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.

Prayer by Clare Westwood


Day 7 of the synod meeting in Rome features the indigenous peoples of the Amazon region. Follow this link to read what they say. Join your prayer with theirs.

Published by GoodGroundPress

Good Ground Press is the publishing ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. We publish resources for living the Gospel today, including Sunday By Sunday for adults and SPIRIT ONLINE for teens.

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