Thought for the Week - 31/10/2021

 

Dear Friends, 

COP26 is here! Postponed from last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, some 25,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries and over 100 world leaders will meet in Glasgow for the two-week conference hosted by the UK. In the official COP26 booklet Alok Sharma, COP26 President, writes, ‘COP26 needs to be decisive. Whether future generations look back at this time with admiration or despair, depends entirely on our ability to seize this moment.’ It also highlights four things that need to be achieved at the conference: a) secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach – countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets (NDCs) that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century. b) adapt to protect communities and natural habitats – the climate is already changing and it will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, with devastating effects. c) mobilise finance – to realise these first two goals, developed countries must deliver on their promise to raise at least $100bn in climate finance per year. d) work together to deliver – we can only rise to the challenges of climate change by working together. At COP26 we must finalise the Paris Rulebook (the rules needed to implement the Paris Agreement). And, we have to turn our ambitions into action by accelerating collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society to deliver on our climate goals faster. Sir David Attenborough who has been given the role of ‘People’s Advocate’ writes, ‘There could not be a more important moment that we should have international agreement. The epidemic has shown us how crucial it is to find agreement among nations if we are to solve such worldwide problems. But the problems that await us within the next 5-10 years are even greater. It is crucial that these meetings in Glasgow, COP26, have success, and that at last the nations will come together to solve the crippling problems that the world now faces.’ May God bless the COP26 Conference and may real and lasting change come.

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.
Psalm 24:1

Grace and peace,

Neil

Prayers written especially for COP26 by the charity ‘Compassion’

Pray for world leaders: Father, we pray for all world leaders, especially during COP26. We ask that you grant them wisdom as they work to lay out concrete plans to reach the targets set out in the Paris Agreement. We pray for any country unable to attend in person due to COVID restrictions. We ask that this doesn’t detract from their ability to participate and pray for technology to run smoothly. Loving Lord, we pray that you will place on the hearts of every leader those who are most vulnerable to climate change. Amen.

Pray for God’s creation: Heavenly Father, thank you for your beautiful creation that you have entrusted us with. We’re sorry we have not cared for your world in the way you intended us to. We pray that as we learn more about the climate crisis that we will not be overwhelmed. We pray that you will help us to each play our part in caring for your planet and everyone on it. Amen.

Pray for those most vulnerable to climate change: Lord God, our hearts break at the devastating impact the climate crisis is already having on those living in extreme poverty. We pray that this injustice will not be ignored, that more will be done to protect those left vulnerable and that governments will take action to protect those most vulnerable around the world, not just those in their own country. Amen.

Pray for children: Loving Lord, your word reminds us how much you value and love children. We pray for the climate crisis and the devastating impact it is having on children’s lives. We thank you for young people and their passion and conviction to care and protect your world. We pray that their actions and words will be taken seriously. We ask that as adults we will strive to protect the world that they will grow up in. We thank you for Compassion’s local church partners and for the amazing work that they are doing to protect children and their communities. Amen.

Pray for justice: God of justice, we pray for fairness during the COP26 talks. Lord, we know that those who are worst hit by the climate crisis are those who have done least to contribute to it and have the fewest resources to implement change. We therefore pray for radical justice and for fairness in the decisions made at COP26. Amen.

Pray for accountability: Father, we pray that the decisions made during COP26 won’t be empty words. We ask that those in positions of power will be held accountable to the targets that have been set and that they will work with conviction to not only achieve these but go beyond them. We ask that the momentum is not lost after the talks have finished. Amen.

Ask God what you can do: Heavenly Father, we ask you to stir our hearts into action. Inspire us with ways we can make a difference in our homes, communities and the world around us. We pray for your prompting where we can do more to love our neighbour. Amen.