The Strong Finish Prayer
O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
This is a prayer of a strong finish that yields a strong beginning. We appeal to the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of all creation to deliver COP25 from a failure that we and our neighbors in this world can no longer afford.
May the negotiating nations finish the work of the final days of COP25 in such a just, merciful, and humble way that the year 2020 is rendered free and serious.
May the run-up to next year’s COP26 be freed up, without distraction, to be focussed on an ambitious ramping up of the emission reductions (NDCs) which will finally MATCH, not simply approximate, what scientists tell us can prevent the warming that will surely cause our worst suffering.
May a strong finish at COP25 send a signal that the governments of the world are serious about the Paris Agreement, that they have listened to the voices of our youth, our indigenous neighbors, our Pacific Island neighbors, indeed all our neighbors. Lord God, may they send the signal that next year’s COP26 is not some false hope, not some promise kicked down the road one more year, not some deus ex machina ready to save us in November, 2020—but instead that the next eleven months will be spent with the eye kept firmly on the prize: the promotion of the Common Good through serious and cooperative effort.
Creator God, at this moment at COP25, we feel like we are asking for a miracle, and so that is why we have come to you. We believe you are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within us. We say NOW, NOW, NOW to you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
In and with the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Una oración Final
Oh Dios y Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo
Esta es una oración de un buen final. Apelamos al Creador, Sustentador y Redentor de toda la creación para evitar un fracaso de los objetivos de la COP25 que nosotros y nuestros vecinos en este mundo ya no podemos permitir.
Oremos por que las naciones negociadoras finalicen la labor de este último día de la COP25 de una manera tan justa, misericordiosa y humilde que conduzca a buenos resultados para el año 2020.
Oremos por el período previo a la COP26 que se realizará el próximo año. Que sea un proceso sin distracciones, para centrarse en un ambicioso aumento de las reducciones de emisiones (NCC) que supere las expectativas, y evite grandes desastres por el calentamiento global.
Que un buen final de la COP25 envíe una señal positiva de que los gobiernos del mundo toman en serio el Acuerdo de París, que han escuchado las voces de nuestros jóvenes, nuestros hermanos indígenas y de las islas del Pacífico, de hecho todos nuestros hermanos. Señor Dios, que esto envíe un mensaje claro de que la COP26 del año entrante no será tiempo perdido.
Dios Creador, en este momento en la COP25, sentimos que estamos pidiendo un milagro, y por eso venimos a ti. Creemos que eres capaz de hacer inconmensurablemente más de lo que pedimos o imaginamos, de acuerdo con tu poder. ¡Que tu nombre sea bendecido a lo largo de todas las generaciones, por siempre y para siempre, Amén!
Collected Prayers from CCOP Newsletters
COP25 Climate Negotiations:
Please pray that the government negotiators at COP25 will renew their commitment to the Paris Agreement, and work with a spirit of cooperation for the common good of all nations on this planet.
Pray for the indigenous and youth leaders stepping into the vacuum of moral leadership on the climate crisis. Pray for their wisdom and strength, for their voice to be loud and their cry powerful, and for their determination and courage to lead the world into a new age with true liberty and justice for all.
Pray for the change of hearts of the major emitting nations (for example: USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, etc.) towards courage and make greater GHG emissions reductions so that the earth will stay within 1.5 degrees of warming. We have heard the pleas of the developing countries and small island states that are most severely impacted by the climate crisis.
Pray for the resolution of key sections of the Paris Agreement, including Article 6 (carbon markets), Warsaw International Mechanisms, and Loss and Damage, without any of those sections being substantively “watered down”. Pray for consensus and unity so that the resolution of these measures will justly and effectively reduce carbon emissions, flow the necessary finance and technology to countries that need it, while supporting Indigenous peoples’ rights and human rights.
In an act of frustration and determination, hundreds of COP badge holders protested in the halls of the convention during the second week. Minority and underrepresented groups, particularly indigenous populations and civil society activist organizations, raised their voice in a way that could no longer be ignored. Pray for the leaders of COP25, not only for progress to be made in the negotiations and commitments, but especially for them to give greater recognition and importance to the very people bearing the most severe consequences of climate change.
Pray for a heart change amongst all business stakeholders, including the fossil fuel industry and its subsidiary and related businesses, to recognize the importance and urgency of climate change and to make the business decisions necessary to transition to a decarbonized world.
Strength to sustain Christian Climate Action After COP25
Please pray that God will lead each of our CCOP students into the experiences at COP25 which will best equip them for godly and effective climate action. Both week one and two teams are reporting back to their home churches. Pray that they may effectively communicate about the urgency of climate action and mobilize their churches to care for God's creation.
Please pray that the church worldwide will awaken to their stewardship of God's creation, and that Christians will take the message of HOPE in Christ Jesus to our neighbours during this time of climate crisis.
Pray for the Spanish churches may internalize the message presented and find ways to turn their energy into mobilization and action. Pray for that A Rocha Spain will be established as a creation care ministry.
Please pray for the sustained efforts of all CCOP members and their partnering organizations. All of us came here with at least a basic understanding of what facing the climate crisis will mean, but the further we dig, the more stories we hear, the more pain we see...it takes a toll. We are all committed more now than ever before, but the experiences we have at COP25 can, and often do, exact a price. As COP25 ends, with talks that have stagnated and protests growing, we at CCOP need your prayers and support to be inspired to minister with and in the name of Jesus in a time of climate crisis.
Climate Consequences for People and Creation:
Pray for the people, families, and communities in all nations who are experiencing more climate-induced extreme weather events and disasters (including cyclones, droughts, floods, etc.). Pray for liberty from the devastation caused by unfaithfulness to our God's call of stewardship, and justice for the lives already impacted, and the millions more who will be.
Prayer for the health of our oceans.
Pray for the people of Chile, who were going to host COP25, and who are experiencing a political and social crisis. One Chilean one of our CCOP participants spoke to commented “every city is in chaos” in Chile right now.
A prayer from ACT Alliance, #ACT4Climate
God of all the earth,
As climate chaos
wreaks havoc on homes,
livelihoods and hopes,
we raise our voices
and call for justice
for those who suffer the most
but are least responsible,
who have had enough
of empty promises,
perpetual relief packages
and failed carbon reduction commitments.
We pray for wise and courageous action
for all of creation at this critical hour.
In the name of Jesus and for Your Glory, we pray.
Amen.
Dios de toda la tierra,
Mientras el caos climático
causa estragos en los hogares,
formas de sustento y esperanzas,
levantamos nuestras voces
y pedimos justicia
para los que más sufren
pero son los menos responsables,
que están cansados
de promesas vacías,
y de falta de ayuda
y de compromisos fallidos en la lucha por el clima
Oramos por una acción sabia y valiente
para todo la creación en esta hora crītica.
En el nombre de Jesús y por Tu Gloria, oramos,
Amén.