During Lent some people choose to fast and pray. Often this is a way to ask God to change something personal, to make them more like Jesus and able to walk in God’s ways. But at this time could fasting and prayer be about something more? Could it be about asking God to bring change in our world and to use us to help bring about that change?
This is an invitation for you to fast from the use of electricity and to pray that our world would be able to sustain itself for generations to come – with the help of God, our Sustainer.
On Saturday, March 28th, we have an opportunity to participate in Earth Hour. This is a global movement by the World Wildlife Foundation involving millions of people around the world turning off lights and electrical devices for one hour to symbolize the need to work together to fight the destructive effects of climate change. Even Newmarket’s regional headquarters is involved in Earth Hour. At 8:30 pm York Region will turn out the lights at 17250 Yonge Street and is encouraging all residents to turn off their lights, TVs, computers and other electrical devices. Last year the PowerStream recorded savings of 48 megawatts across York Region and Simcoe county during Earth Hour. That’s enough energy to power 1,480 average-sized homes for 24 hours!
So consider fasting from electricity for an hour and, as you reflect on the experience, include this prayer in your 60 minutes:
Creator God, thank you for the creation that you have made.
Thank you for the beauty of our world
and for the many resources that help us to live and thrive.
Forgive us for misusing your creation.
Bring your light into our darkness and help us to make wise choices
so that this world can sustain our generation and the generations to come.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
