As COP26 gets underway, how should we reflect and respond?
On Sunday 31 October, Matt shared some helpful ways to think about the climate crisis. Watch the clip to catch up on what he said:
As Christians we want to be praying for the those involved in COP26 and for the outcomes.
At Prayer Central, on Weds 3rd November, we spent some time considering Romans 8:18-25
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Here are some things we could be praying:
- Give thanks that “bondage to decay” will one day give birth to “glorious freedom.”
- Pray that amidst the despair that many are feeling, we will hold out the hope of the gospel as we talk about climate change with our neighbours.
- Pray for a sense of urgency amongst those gathered at the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow.
- Pray for the many Christian organisations in Glasgow at COP26 – including A Rocha – to be effective, united and for their voice to be heard both by those negotiating, and by churches across the world
- Ask the Lord for those participating in COP26 to listen well and to come to an agreed consensus.
- Pray that any commitment would not simply be empty words but followed through with actions.
- Give thanks for many technological developments over recent years and pray for more to enable us to tackle the climate crisis. Pray also for nature-based solutions (using the planet’s own systems, eg massive tree-planting, coral-reef restoration, energy from wind etc.
- Pray against greed and self-interest. Ask the Lord to create a hunger for and willingness to work towards a more just and sustainable structure across our global society.
