Prayers to celebrate Earth Day
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“In the beginning, God created heaven and earth” – Genesis 1:1
Read or listen to the following:
Tom Delosa, founder of the Creative Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is D. A former evolutionist and atheist who came to Christ through Dr. James Kennedy’s ministry. He believes that Christians can celebrate Earth Day by highlighting the Earth as a gift from God.
As De Rosa explains, “Celebrating Earth Day in the Bible context is a wonderful event that honors our Creator, not the Earth or other idols. The secular origins of the celebration of Earth Day, along with the theme of apocalyptic evolution, mean that the attempt to cause an end to humanity is a futile effort to change human behavior. Incredible love, and we are blessed in return.”
The history of Earth Day
Celebrated annually in 1970 on April 22nd, Earth Day was a day of compliance hosted by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, known as “Father’s Day,” planned a nationwide demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues. By 1990, compliance had spread to 140 countries around the world, beginning with a national gathering. They served as catalysts to motivate the US government to establish the Environmental Protection Agency.
Initially, Earth Day was introduced objectively to support scientific evidence and address toxins and pollutants in the air. These are measured at levels that are dangerous to our health. However, over the past 20 years, Earth Day’s main focus has shifted to dealing with controversial carbon levels due to its speculative nature. Earth Day is also currently heavily linked to the controversial topic of climate change. Climate change divides individuals and countries, and many Christians are not sure if it’s okay to celebrate it.
The mission of humanity to care for the earth
Still, as Christians, who have a reason to celebrate God’s wonderful creation than we do? As Jeremiah 10:12 explains, “But God created the earth by his power; he established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding he extended the heavens.”
Similarly, Genesis 1:26 explains: “God says, “May make mankind in our image, our portraits, and rule over birds in the sea and in the air, livestock and all wildlife, and all living creatures that travel along the ground.”
“Humanity must be environmentally keen to care for the planet,” Delosa believes.
God’s hand in creation draws individuals to Christ
Delosa knows well from the Christian transformation that seeing God’s hand in the creation of the earth attracts individuals to faith in Jesus Christ. A few days after he had publicly declared his faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in 1978, he visited Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, “Sitting on his wooden feet in a packed sanctuary, I heard the sermon of Dr. D. James Kennedy.
Dr. Kennedy’s message has influenced Delosa’s life and influenced his ministry, explaining that “the ultimate mission of CSI is to acquire what is lost to their creator and help Christians become stronger in their faith.” As Romans 1:20 explains, creation draws individuals towards God. “Because the invisible qualities of God in the world, eternal power and God’s nature, were clearly seen in the sense that people were understood from what was made so that they had no excuses.”
Let’s pray:
Dear Father, our hearts are deeply grateful for your grandeurous creation. As explained in Job 38:4-7, “Where were you when you laid the foundations of the earth? Understand. Who marked the dimensions? Thank you for designing the earth in countless ways that bless our lives and bring benefits. Many of them are still discovered. Please help us celebrate Earth Day in a way that praises you and praises your name on Earth. We will guide us and convey the words that will lead us to the greatness of your creation, and lead them to faith in Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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Lynette Kittle is married to four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships and life. Her writings have been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, Kirkcameron.com, ungrind.org, startmarriageright.com and more. She holds a Masters degree in Communications from Regent University and is an associate producer at Soul Check TV.
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