God, you made your good creation and you hold it in your care —
From each starry constellation to each forest under-layer.
Tiny creatures, mountain splendor, rivers, lakes and ocean floors —
You are loving, kind and tender in your care for what is yours.

Yet, O God, the earth is crying, times are changing, storms are strong.
Now the coral reefs are dying, floods are raging, droughts are long.
Though the circumstances differ, when the earth is in distress,
See! The poor are first to suffer from our greed and selfishness.

God, you love this world we live in, so you sent your only Son.
“Here on earth as in your heaven,” God, we pray, “Your will be done.”
By your Spirit, may we listen to the earth and to the poor;
May we care for all you’ve given till creation is restored.

Biblical References: Genesis 1-2; Psalms 8,24,104; Romans 8:19-23; 1 John 3:17; John 3:16; Matthew 6:10; Revelation 21:5
Tune: The Sacred Harp, 1844; attributed to Benjamin Franklin White (“God Whose Giving Knows No Ending”)  (MIDI)
 
Text: Copyright © 2016 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net     New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/

This hymn was inspired by “Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You): On Care for Our Common Home,”, 2015 Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis.

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