This week, some Christians have got involved in Just Stop Oil protests in London, which have involved doing slow marches across the capital.

Above, Mike explains what has caused him to take action. He describes “a deep anxiety and fear about what is happening in the world and the inaction of governments around the world”. Mike continues: “This government has authorised more than 100 oil and gas and coal licences, which scientists are describing as a carbon bomb. Parliament needs to step up”.

Rev Jon Swales OBE above, also took part in the protests this week. He has written the poem below to company the action.

Just Stop Oil: A Prayer for the Climate and Ecological Emergency

Father of Creation, God of Compassion,
You created a world of wonder,
Of possibility and potential.
You declared it to be good.
For this we give thanks.
To you be praise, honour and glory.

Father of Creation, God of Compassion, This world is no longer as you intended it to be.
Humanity has betrayed its calling To tend and keep. Creation groans.

On our watch, We reap what we have sown,

On our watch,
Sea Levels rise.

On our watch,
Forests destroyed,

On our watch,
Extreme weather events increase

And so now with tears in our eyes we look to you,
With regret, With repentance,
Knowing the difficult decades that we face.

Father of Creation,
God of Justice,
Do the angels long for justice?
Do the cherubim and seraphim groan for peace?
Do the saints who have gone before us cry for justice?
If so, what do they cry?

Perhaps they cry,
For the end of fossil fuels,
Perhaps they cry for economic structures and systems,
To put people before profit,
Perhaps they cry,
‘Just Stop Oil’

Father of Creation,
God of Justice,
Does your church work for justice?
Do church investments work for peace?
Does church leadership speak truth to power?
If so, why the silence?

Perhaps the angels will be answered,
Perhaps the church will wake up
And perform,
participate,
and protest in a way that aligns with justice,
Perhaps justice will cry out loud,
‘Just Stop Oil’

Father of Creation, God of Compassion, You created a world of wonder,
Of possibility and potential.
You declared it to be good.
For this we give thanks. To you be praise, honour and glory.

Father of Creation, God of Compassion, This world is no longer as you intended it to be.
Humanity has betrayed its calling To tend and keep.
Creation groans.

Amen