Eco Church

A MESSAGE FROM ECO CHURCH

Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility



The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future, an important source of the planet’s biodiversity and plays a vital role in the climate system and water cycle. It supplies us with oxygen to breathe, contributes to food security, and acts as a sink and reservoir of greenhouse gases.

The ocean beds of the world are being decimated by the effects of deep-sea trawler fishing on an industrial scale which is currently not illegal. Trials have shown that this damage can be reversed and it is not yet too late to restore this vital resource but world-wide agreements are needed.

Please pray for the UN Conference from June 9-13, aiming to accelerate action and mobilize measures world-wide to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.

Also try to watch David Attenborough’s recent film, “Ocean” which not only shows the appalling damage being done, but also gives cause for hope if the UN Conference succeeds.

Here is a prayer you could use for the UN Oceans Conference

• Creator God,we thank you for the beauty and abundance of our oceans, for the life they sustain, and for the vital role they play in our planet's ecosystem. We are grateful for this UN Ocean Conference and the opportunity to work towards a healthier future for our seas.

• We ask for your guidance for all participants, for the delegates, experts, and advocates gathered here. May you grant them wisdom, understanding, and a spirit of collaboration as they discuss the critical issues facing our oceans.

• We pray for unity among all nations and stakeholders, that they may find common ground and work together to address the challenges of plastic pollution, overfishing, climate change, and other threats to ocean health. May your Holy Spirit inspire them to make decisions that are just, sustainable, and beneficial for all.

• We ask for your protection for the marine life that depends on the oceans for survival. Help us to be better stewards of your creation, and guide us in finding solutions that will restore the health of our seas and protect the beauty of the underwater world.

• We pray for the people whose livelihoods depend on the oceans, including subsistence fishermen, coastal communities, and all who rely on the ocean's resources for their survival. May you bless them with your care and provide for their needs as they navigate the challenges of a changing world.

• We ask for your healing for the damage that has been done to our oceans, and for the restoration of the natural balance and harmony that you intended. Help us to live in a way that honours your creation and protects the precious life within.

• We pray for hope and a future where our oceans thrive, where marine life flourishes, and where all people are able to benefit from the gifts of the sea. We ask for your blessing on this conference and the work that it will do to protect our oceans for generations to come.

Amen.