“Climate change represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity today” – Pope Francis

In the last number of years, we have seen so much change in our weather patterns. The earth is heating up, we have more severe storms, droughts, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and more.

Every year it seems to get worse. Currently there are fires raging across Europe, Canada, America. There is drought in England, Europe and America. The Rhine and Danube have never been so low, they are practically unnavigable. Interestingly, this has allowed various ancient ruins to be exposed in the riverbeds.

In all this, we need to remember that storms may come, circumstances may shake us, and sometimes the way forward may seem impossible, but God remains with us and is in control.

We need to remember that those who have contributed least to climate change are often among those who suffer most.

We pray for all those whose lives are being affected by a changing climate:

• for strength to those who are suffering,
• wisdom to those who respond to disasters,
• generosity to those who can help.
• For families who have lost their homes through floods and storms,
• for communities suffering through drought and famine,
• for farmers whose crops have failed
• for those facing wildfires, rising seas and extreme heat,
• for people who have been forced to leave their homes

Lord, be near to them.