The aim of this session is to look at a passage in Job as a reflection of our own context as we face the challenge and suffering of climate injustice and climate chaos.
Climate striker Joe takes inspiration from the book of proverbs and the life of Jesus. Proverbs is a book of wisdom literature in the bible along with Ecclesiastes and the book of Job. What motivates your interest or engagement with the issue of climate justice?
Read the passage twice – have someone read it aloud and then individually in silence.
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
2 ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
4 ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?8 ‘Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb?—
9 when I made the clouds its garment,
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed bounds for it,
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stopped”?
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/prayer-chain
The God who hears us
We are the creatures that pray
You are the God who hears us.
We pray for all manner of things to be well,
Though we don’t quite know where to start.
We pray for the world to be better than it is,
Though we only have mustard seed-sized faith for this.
We pray there will be enough food for all,
Though we have little appetite for the task.
We pray for people to give more and consume less,
Though we still want our share.
We pray that we might love our enemy,
Though the thought of them disgusts us.
We pray that everyone will have a home,
Though there’s no room at our inn.
We pray for that famine to end,
Though we complain about queuing for food.
We pray for a war that is raging,
Though we have raging arguments about it.
We pray for a better discourse in public life,
Though we will speak ill of a neighbour.
We pray for a more meaningful communication,
Though we will send a text we regret.
We pray for justice to have its way,
Though we’re not giving up our right to be right.
We pray that people would take better care of this world,
Though we’ll do what we like with it.
We pray for an end to grief,
Though death will come to all of us.
We are the creatures that pray
You are the God who hears us.
We pray despite the uncertainty;
You are the God who steadies us.
We pray despite evidence to the contrary;
You are the God who reveals truth.
We pray at risk of ridicule;
You are the God who was mocked.
We pray even if we are on our knees;
You are the God who was laid low.
We pray on our last legs;
You are the God who heals the lame.
We pray as our vision fades;
You are the God who speaks in dreams.
We pray because it is a ritual and a habit;
You are the God who knows our limitations.
We pray for things that do not yet exist;
You are the God that created something from nothing.
We pray for people who don’t believe;
You are the God of all people.
We pray for those who have not the breath to utter them;
You are the God who gives breath.
We pray even though we have nothing to give;
You are the God who gives Himself.
We pray even though the news is overwhelming;
You are the God of good news.
We pray even though our days are short;
You are the God who died.
We pray even if we can’t get up;
You are the God who rose again.
We are the creatures that pray
You are the God who hears us.
(by Rhidian Brook, from Rage and Hope: 75 prayers for a better world, SPCK, 2021)