Ash Wednesday Lament for Harm Done to Life-Giving Ecosystems

Take a stick.
Break it to symbolize the brokenness in our relationship with the earth God created and called good.
Hold the stick in your hand.
Pray to God, “Rather than practicing responsible dominion and good stewardship, humans have exploited the earth’s resources.” “Lord, have mercy.”
Pause momentarily and name the harm done to God’s creation in your community. Ask yourself how your lifestyle harms the environment.
Lament the harm human activity has done to life-giving ecosystems.
As God for forgiveness. “Christ, have mercy.’
Pray, “God, help me participate in healing your creation.”
Pray, “God, help me practice responsible dominion and good stewardship of the resources you have provided us.”
Look over the Lenten Carbon Fasting Action List.
Select several ways to heal brokenness with the earth and practice these actions during Lent.
Take the broken stick and the action list home with you.
Put into practice ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
On Easter Sunday, bring your broken stick to church.
Before worship, lay the broken stick at the foot of the cross.
Release the lament.
Give thanks to Jesus for holding your sorrow and pray for healing the harm done to life-giving ecosystems.
Thank God for helping you take part in the earth’s healing.
Ask God to help you find new ways to participate in the healing of creation.