Environmental Justice is Social Justice
Earthers Lament: 14‑Day Prayer Guide for Creation Care and Biodiversity
Introducing the COP30 14‑Day Prayer Guide, a crucial resource for our collective journey at the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Print Version)
Day 1 — ORIENTATION: The Earth Belongs to God Alone
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Contemplation:
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Consider God’s ownership of the planet and our stewardship of it.
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“Mother Earth and all she gives birth to belong to Grandfather. All the world and those who live on it are his.” Psalm 24:1 (First Nations Version)
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COP30 is not merely policy—it’s about honoring our Creator by caring for what’s God’s.
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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For Belém (Pará, Brazil): safety, health, logistics, and hospitality.
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For open, safe civic space: fair visas, inclusion of Indigenous and vulnerable communities.
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For humility among leaders to serve the common good and God’s creation.
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Reflection:
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Where have I treated creation as mine rather than God’s?
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How can my prayers today reflect God’s heart for the whole earth?
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A Short Practice: Step outside and name aloud the parts of creation you see as God’s good gift.
Day 2 — FORESTS: Tend and Keep Your Original Home, the Garden
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Contemplation
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Forests are “cathedrals” of life. To keep them is worshipful obedience.
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"The Eternal God placed the newly made man in the garden of Eden in order to work the ground and care for it" Genesis 2:15 (The Voice)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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End deforestation/degradation in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and SE Asia.
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Secure Indigenous and customary land rights; uphold FPIC.
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Integrity in forest finance; no land grabs; community benefit-sharing.
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Capacity for rangers, scientists, and local monitors
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Transparent data based on MRV (measurement, recording, verification).
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Reflection:
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What habits of mine drive deforestation (diet, products, paper, finance)?
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How can my church support forest guardians?
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A Short Practice: Choose one product to switch to a deforestation‑free alternative.
Day 3 — INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: Do Justice, Love Mercy
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Contemplation
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God’s justice honors the peoples who have stewarded creation faithfully.
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“He’s already made it plain how to live, what to do … It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.” Micah 6:8 (The Message)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Protection for environmental defenders; end threats and violence.
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Free, Prior, and Informed Consent in all projects and markets.
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Language access, travel support, and real influence for Indigenous delegates at COP30.
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Recognition of land tenure; fair benefit‑sharing for genetic resources; DSI (Detailed Site Investigation).
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Reflection:
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How can I amplify Indigenous voices rather than speak for them?
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Which Indigenous-led efforts could I learn from or support?
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A Short Practice: Read a statement from the UNFCCC Indigenous Peoples Caucus.
Day 4 — SCIENCE INTEGRITY: Truth Sets Us Free
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Contemplation:
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Truth-telling—through science and prophetic witness—liberates creation from denial and delay.
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“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Reflection:
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Where do I resist uncomfortable truths? Why?
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How can my community normalize learning from science as an act of discipleship?
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A Short Practice: Read a summary from IPCC or IPBES and pray through it.
Day 5 — RIVERS and WETLANDS: Waters Sustain and Satisfy All of Life
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Contemplation:
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Living waters sustain people and entire ecosystems; when they flourish, everything flourishes.
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“When you feel dried up and worthless, God will nourish you and give you strength. And you will grow like a garden lovingly tended; you will be like a spring whose water never runs out.” Isaiah 58:11 (The Voice)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Protection of Amazon tributaries, wetlands, and peatlands (fire prevention, restoration).
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Equitable water governance for communities and ecosystems.
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Early warning and preparedness for floods/droughts; access to clean water.
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Reflection:
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How does my water use reflect love of neighbor and creation?
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What local river/wetland needs prayer and care?
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A Short Practice: Reduce water waste this week; support a peatland/river NGO.
Day 6 — OCEANS and COASTS: The Sea and Its Creatures
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Contemplation:
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God’s abundance is seen in coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows—nurseries of life.
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“Grandfather, in your great wisdom, you created so many things! Mother Earth has been filled with all you have made. Look at the great waters of the ocean, so far and wide. It is swarming with sea creatures, too many to count, both small and large.” Psalm 104:24-23 (First Nations Version)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Coral reef recovery; protection of mangroves and seagrasses.
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Sustainable fisheries; end illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
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Effective 30x30 marine conservation and High Seas Treaty implementation.
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Resilience for Small Island Developing States (storms, sea‑level rise).
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Reflection:
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What ocean gifts do I receive (food, climate, beauty)? How can I reciprocate?
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How might my choices reduce ocean harm (plastic, seafood, travel)?
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A Short Practice: Skip single‑use plastics today; choose sustainably sourced seafood.
Day 7 — BIODIVERSITY: Christ Holds All Things Together
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Contemplation:
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Every species echoes Christ’s sustaining word; extinctions grieve the One who made them.
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“It was in him that all things … were created, all things seen and unseen … It is in him that all things come together and find their full meaning and purpose.” Colossians 1:16-17 (First Nations Version)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Delivery of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (30x30 with justice).
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Species recovery plans; invasive species control; habitat connectivity.
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Ending harmful subsidies (agriculture, fisheries) that drive loss.
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Reflection:
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Which creature or habitat stirs my wonder and prayer?
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What would “30x30 with justice” look like in practice?
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A Short Practice: Learn one threatened species in your region and advocate for its habitat.
Day 8 — FOOD and LAND: You Visit the Earth and Water It
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Contemplation:
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God’s blessing intends abundant, just, and regenerative food systems.
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“You care for Mother Earth with gentle rains, making her rich and pregnant with life. Your streams overflow with water. You provide seeds of corn, beans, and squash, making her ready to give birth. You send water to soak into the planting mounds and soften the ground. You bless the sprouts as they grow green and strong.” Psalm 65:9-10 (First Nations Version)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Transition to regenerative agriculture; protect soil and pollinators.
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Reduce food loss/waste; support smallholders and Indigenous foodways.
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Deforestation‑free and conversion‑free supply chains.
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Reflection:
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How can my diet bless land and neighbors (seasonal, plant‑rich, fair‑trade)?
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Where does my church’s hospitality (meals) model creation care?
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A Short Practice: Plan two plant‑rich, local meals this week; compost what you can.
Day 9 — CLEAN AIR: The Breath of Life
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Contemplation:
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To honor God’s breath is to protect the air—all creatures depend on it.
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“The Eternal God … breathed the breath that gives life into the nostrils of the human, and the human became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7 (The Voice)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Rapid methane reductions in energy, waste, and agriculture.
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Kigali Amendment implementation for the phasedown of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons).
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Air quality improvements that also benefit ecosystems and health.
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Reflection:
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What air‑pollution sources touch my daily life? How can I respond?
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How do “small” gases like methane show the value of faithful attention to detail?
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A Short Practice: Support a local clean‑air initiative or waste‑methane project.
Day 10 — ADAPTATION, HEALTH, and SAFETY: Refuge and Strength
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Contemplation:
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God shelters the vulnerable; we mirror His care through adaptation and health systems that leave no one behind.
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“All who make their home … under the shadow of the Great Provider … will tell Grandfather, ‘You are the one who watches over me, my strong lodge of protection—my Creator. I have put all hope and trust in you.’” Psalm 91:1-2 (First Nations Version)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Ecosystem‑based adaptation; nature‑based solutions for heat, flood, and storm.
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Early Warnings for All; Heat-Health Action Plans.
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One Health approaches linking human, animal, and ecosystem well-being.
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Access to adaptation finance for LDCs and frontline communities.
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Reflection:
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Who is most exposed in my city? What could loving refuge look like?
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Where can my church serve as a cooling or relief site?
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A Short Practice: Map local risks (heat/flood) and share resources with neighbors.
Day 11 — FINANCE and EQUITY: Fairness and Sharing
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Contemplation:
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Kingdom economics restore right relationships—between nations, peoples, and creation.
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“It is not that I am trying to lift the burden of others only to burden you. But to restore balance, you who have more than enough should give to the ones in need … This is what I mean by restoring balance.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 (First Nations Version)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Ambitious, accessible new climate finance goal with nature‑positive pathways.
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Capitalization and just access to the Loss and Damage Fund.
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Debt relief and MDB (multilateral development banks) reform to unlock adaptation and conservation.
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Strong transparency and anti‑corruption safeguards.
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Reflection:
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How do my financial habits (banking, investing, giving) align with justice?
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What would “enough” look like for wealthy nations and institutions?
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A Short Practice: Review your bank or fund’s climate/nature policy; consider a greener option.
Day 12 — IMPLEMENTATION: Seek the Welfare of the City
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Contemplation:
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Cities are where creation care touches daily life—transport, buildings, waste, and green space.
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“Seek the welfare of the city… for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
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“Work for the peace and prosperity of the city … Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7 (New Living Translation)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Reflection:
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What is one creation‑care gap in my neighborhood?
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How could my church partner with our city on a practical project?
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A Short Practice: Plant or care for trees; advocate for safe walking/cycling.
Day 13 — PEACEMAKING and INCLUSION: Keep the Unity of the Spirit
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Contemplation:
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Peacemaking opens space for solutions; unity doesn’t erase difference but honors truth and justice.
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“Let his Spirit weave you together in peace as you dance in step with one another in the great circle of life.” Ephesians 4:3 (First Nations Version)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Bridge‑building among negotiation blocs; gracious, wise facilitators.
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Protection for observers, journalists, and peaceful civil society.
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De‑escalation of conflicts that undermine cooperation and humanitarian work.
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Reflection:
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Where should I listen before speaking in creation‑care conversations?
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How might I bless someone I disagree with this week?
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A Short Practice: Reach out to someone across a “divide” and practice curious questions.
Day 14 — COMMITMENT and RENEWAL: Hope Endures even as Creation Groans
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Contemplation:
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Christian hope is active. We pray, act, and persevere until creation’s liberation is fully revealed in Christ.
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“The creation all around us is waiting on tiptoe … Creation itself became weak and powerless, unable to fulfill its destiny, not by its own choice but because of the one who had the power over it. It is plain to see that all creation is still groaning in pain like a mother giving birth. But there is hope, for Creator has a plan to restore human beings. Then all of creation will share in the freedom of the life of beauty and harmony given to all of Creator’s children.” Romans 8:19-22 (First Nations Version)
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Prayerful Solidarity:
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Courageous, nature‑positive 2035 NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) aligned with 1.5°C.
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End deforestation and biodiversity loss; large‑scale restoration.
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A faithful witness from the global Church—prayer, advocacy, and sacrificial love.
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Lasting protection for the Amazon, Congo Basin, and the Coral Triangle.
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Reflection:
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What concrete commitments will I keep beyond these 14 days?
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How can my church become a long‑term sign of hope for creation?
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A Short Practice: Write a simple rule of life for creation care (pray, reduce, restore, advocate, give).