Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Dec/89

Contributor - Debbie Van Hoeve

Title - A Prayer: It Was Good

Topic - Editorial

Dear Gracious God:

You created light and "separated the light from darkness" (Gen 1:4) and it was good. The chlorofluorocarbon and halon gases from our factories, air conditioners and refrigerators are rising up and breaking down ozone layer molecules. More ultraviolet rays from the sun are reaching us. People are dying of skin cancer.

You "called the expanse 'sky"' (Gen. 1:8) and it was good. One 80 litre tank of gas, pumps 56 kilograms of carbon into the air Clouds of sulphuric acid are killing our lakes and vegetation. Acid rain has killed 31 million hectares oi trees, an area about the size of Saskatchewan.

You "called the dry ground 'land' and the gathered waters...'seas"' (Gen 1:9-10) and it was good. The land is being bogged down with garbage. We are a throw-away society. We' throw-away' and plug up our dumps with plastic junk, glass, cans, styrofoam cups and plates, batteries, and 'disposable' diapers. Every man, woman and child in Canada is -disposing of 2 kilograms of trash per day. We are dumping raw sewage, toxic chemicals, and plastic debris into- the seas.

You "made the stars ... set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth" (Gen. 1:16-17) and it was good. We are polluting the heavens with thousands of pieces of man-made satellites and debris. Nuclear debris will rain down on us. Even noise pollution of radio transmissions are being delivered into deep space.

We were "to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground" (Gen. 1:26) and it was good. Our helium-filled balloons are turning up in the stomachs of birds and turtles. Elephants are dying because we believe their ivory is beautiful-for pianos. Sea birds, sea otters and bald eagles are ingesting crude oil because of our spills. If we are not hunting them for game, we are destroying their habitat.

You gave us "every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it" (Gen. 1:29) and it was good. At the time of year when we should be celebrating the birth of your son, we are cutting down the trees and dangling lights and ornaments on it. The trees are already beautiful enough before we cut them down. Half of all the Canadian logging is done in British Columbia. We are only contributing to the statistics by way of polluted water and deforestation.

You trusted us Lord and what destruction is wrought to that which you created. How irresponsible! I guess I'm not really complaining Lord. After all "Why should any man complain when punished for his sins? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord' (Lam. 3:30-40). You have remained constant and faithful, it is mankind who must change. We must change the way we live. If it be your will Lord, enlighten the world that mankind can change. After all, there are still some of us who believe in miracles. In your precious name, Amen.

For information on our deteriorating environment, support an environmental group or please write or call

Canadian Environment Network

PO. Box 1289, Station B

Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5R3

6131563-2078 or 6131563-3337

Note. some excerpts taken from the Hamilton Spectator, "Our Fragile Future", A Southam Environment Project.

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