A Thanksgiving for Gardens
God of grace, in the story of creation, you made the earth a garden
and entrusted it to us to till and to keep, a place of peace and beauty
where we could walk with you.
In the story of redemption,
the one who died for us was buried in a garden, and there you raised him up
to greet us with new hope and risen life.
In the story of the Church,
you tend us as a garden,
a place of careful pruning and abundant harvest, where we can work with you.
Meet us, we pray,
in all the gardens where we go
for nourishment, refreshment and prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Gardens
Lord of the harvest,
make us faithful stewards in the labour you have called us to share, planting and cultivating, planning and protecting,
and offering to you the return that you require,
through our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
and in the power of the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
Intercessions
Bless the garden of your Church, O God. Guide those who plant and tend it.
Protect the young, strengthen the flourishing, and make us fruitful in ministry and mission.
God of grace, hear our prayer.
Bless the gardens of the world, the soil and rain and sunshine,
and the work of all who sow and reap. Give abundant harvests,
and teach us to share them with justice.
God of grace, hear our prayer.
Bless the gardens of our community,
the shelter of families, the fragrance of friendship. In all our care for one another,
make us grow in wisdom and love,
in gentleness, kindness and truth.
God of grace, hear our prayer.
Give tender care to all who are struggling through weakness, sickness, grief or change. Show us your grace at work
in the times when growth is painful
or when death is near.
God of grace, hear our prayer.
Give eternal life to all whom you love,
through Jesus Christ, the true vine.
Give us grace to abide in him as fruitful branches,
and bring us at last with all your saints to resurrection life.
God of grace, hear our prayer.
© The Anglican Church of Australia
This text may be reproduced for use in worship in the Anglican Church of Australia