Prayer for the Economy: October 2021
Last month’s fuel distribution crisis has reminded us that the economy is still experiencing adjustment and change even as the pandemic continues. The ending of the furlough scheme at the end of September means redundancies will increase, though not to the scale once feared. Even without COVID the economy is experiencing change as Brexit continues to make an impact and governments and businesses respond to the climate emergency. This is given a particular focus this month and in November with the Climate Change conference in Glasgow.
The COP26 conference begins on October 31st and ends on November 12th. It takes its name from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP stands for Conference of the Parties to the Convention) which have been held annually since 1995, except in 2020 when it was postponed – hence this year is the COP26. It has been preceded by a global Youth Conference and Summit held in Milan from Sept 28thto Oct 3rd.
Our prayers therefore focus on this global issue of climate change and its link to the economy, as well as the continuing ministry of chaplaincy through FWW across Worcestershire.
Almighty God, you have formed us in your image as part of your creation, and in your Son Jesus call us to a new way of living and loving others. Help us to reform the way we run the global economy so that our climate and planet are protected, change in the climate reduced and those most vulnerable from such change safeguarded.
Forgive us for how we have acted selfishly, exploiting and squandering your good creation. And lead us from death to life, darkness to light, despair to hope.
Through Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world.
Amen
Especially we pray for:
- Those now looking for new work and those retraining following the end of the furlough scheme.
- World leaders gathering in Glasgow at the end of October for COP26, as they seek agreement in greening the global economy and so address the climate emergency.
- All of us as consumers as we make our own decisions in how we act locally and contribute to reducing our environmental impact.
- Those most acutely impacted by the changing climate, especially the poorest.
- The continued activity of FWW chaplains visiting workplaces.
- Those FWW chaplains who have decided not to return to active chaplaincy, giving thanks for their faithful service and ministry.
- New opportunities for chaplaincy in places and sectors of the economy where there are no FWW chaplains as yet, and for new chaplains to volunteer.
- The Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) Worcester conference on October 18th which seeks to bring together key people from across the city, including from churches, businesses, charities, emergency services and local government. See ROC Worcester
- An online chaplaincy conference, run by the national association of Workplace chaplains (WCM UK) on October 7th exploring how chaplains can help those they visit through the trauma of the pandemic
- A national online training course for new chaplains being co-led by Dick, starting on Oct 12th.