Confessing our part in the system and Praying for a Change

We held our first Eco Prayer Meeting of the New Year on 21st January 2026 at St Stephen's Church, West Bowling. We also ate flapjack.

Learn - What would Nehemiah do?

We read Nehemiah chapter 1:

The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

We looked at how Nehemiah

• Was faced with a massive, complicated problem (the devestation of Jerusalem)
• Mourned
• Confessed his part and his people's part in bringing the problem on themselves
• Declared God's goodness
• Prayed for a CHANGE...

We tried to apply this to ourselves. We, too, are faced with multiple massive complicated problems (climate crisis, extinction of species, wars, global instability, inequality). How can we, faced with these:

• Mourn
• Confess our part and our people's part in bringing the problem on ourselves
• Declare God's goodness
• Pray for a CHANGE...

Share some good news

We watched a video about the finalists for the Earthshot prize, which was very encouraging:

St Stephen's is about to receive the Silver Eco church certification from A Rocha and it is wonderful to see some of the accommodation for nature in the church grounds. 

UPDATE! Pictures of the insect houses!

Confess and Pray

We used this prayer from https://engageworship.org/:

Lord, when we have taken your creation for granted;

Forgive us, gracious Father.

When we have abused its resources and polluted its purity;

Forgive us, gracious Father.

When we have not fulfilled our calling to steward your earth;

Forgive us, gracious Father.

[SILENCE]

May we work with you in the renewal of creation;

Empower us, Holy Spirit

May we speak and act for the good of your planet.

Inspire us, Jesus Christ.

May we value and share the good gifts you provide;

Encourage us, Father of creation. Amen

We prayer for these things:

1. PEACE in Ukraine, Sudan and Congo.
   
   
2. God to open the eyes of voters and leaders around the world to the destruction of our common home.
   
   
3. The UK heat pump and solar panel initiative.
   
   
4. The Nobel Prize Committee have rejected Ecosia’s call for a Nobel Prize in Climate and Planetary Health (Ecosia have raised €1m to initially fund the award). Pray for them to change their minds!
   
   
5. Emissions reduction:
1. China’s next 5-Year Plan will be published in March. Pray that officials prepare a plan that is committed to transparency, justice and peace, and that helps China meet its climate targets and limits coal-power.
   
   
2. Colombia and the Netherlands, backed by 22 nations, will independently develop a roadmap to fossil fuel phaseout, beginning with a conference in April in the coal port city of Santa Marta, Colombia
   
   
3. Pray for a change of heart in the US government about renewable energy, climate science and fossil fuels.
   
   
6. Veganuary will encourage people to explore less meaty options.
   
   
7. In Bradford:
1. Social enterprise Fruit Works Co-operative are planting ten more orchards in January and February in Allerton, Bowling, and Queensbury, Bierley, Farcliffe and Keighley. Pray that the schemes will succeed and help people to have a closer relationship with nature and food growing.
   
   
2. More love for nature in all the communities of Bradford.
   

Please keep on praying for all of these things.

We will meet again on Wednesday 18th February, 7:30pm, at Shipley Baptist Church. You can use this facebook event to invite people.