Prayer for the BP Gulf Oil Spill – Let’s Join Together Today to Pray

A close-up of an oil-soaked bird. May 9, 2010 (AP/Gerald Herbert)

Join with others across the USA on July 30 to pray for the gulf oil spill, for the devastated fragile ecosystems, and for a complete response from officials.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”  1 John 4:7

Creator God, we join together with people from across the USA to pray for the Gulf oil spill crisis and its impacts on the people, the water, the land, the fish, and all creation.  Together we cry out with those affected by this unprecedented disaster and we pray for complete resolution that will meet the urgent needs of people in the Gulf region.

Inspire and guide all people who labor tirelessly to contain the oil that has affected lives across the region and beyond.  Give us the means to help the people whose livelihoods are suffering, and give your people the means and the know-how to repair the damage and may all those involved in oil drilling and exploration respectfully care for your creation in all future endeavors.

We pray that your spirit will touch the hearts of lawmakers in their decisions and response, that they may be wise in addressing the needs of those most affected by this tragedy.

Give us the ability to be wise stewards of your creation that you have entrusted us with.  In the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Intercessions

For all laborers who were injured and died in the Gulf rig explosion and for their families and friends, 

               Lord, hear our prayer.

For all peoples working to contain the oil spill, protecting fragile ecosystems and communities from its toxic impacts, Lord hear our prayer.

For persons and communities whose livelihoods depend upon the Gulf of Mexico, Lord hear our prayer.

For wisdom to understand our dependence relationships with all of your creation, Lord hear our prayer. 

 

An oil-soaked pelican on an island in Barataria Bay just off the coast of Louisiana, May 23, 2010 (AP/Gerald Herbert)

Closing Prayer

Creator God of the universe, we give you thanks for our tiny planet, Earth, and for the marvels that fill this world which sustain us.  May all that we do be pleasing and as stewards may all that we do bring all of creation closer to fulfilling your kingdom to fruition.  Amen.

**All photos by Gerald Herbert/AP.  CLICK HERE to see the full set of photos by Gerald Herbert at PBS online.  The AP Photographer, a New Orleans native, has been documenting the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

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