Of farming, floods and foot and mouth ....

Although there may not be much by way of farming in Catford nowadays, of course these issues do affect us all. I was looking at a map the other evening because my other half has been sent to work in the Farnham area a couple of times recently. In fact he has been very close to the area of the suspected foot and mouth outbreak. No-one who saw the interview with the farmer who was in tears after his animals had been culled could fail to be moved by his situation. Likewise, people trying to repair homes and businesses after the floods.

I had a look to find what the Church of England's response to these crises was, and you can read an article here. Whilst reading, I also found the following prayers. Prayer being a ministry that we can all take part in without the need for any special skills or outlay, this means that all of us who want to do something to help can hold these situations before God in our prayer.

Creator God,
Hear our prayers for our farmers and for all who are deeply affected by the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey.
Bless all efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.
To those who are stressed and anxious bring comfort and hope;
to those entrusted with the decision-making give wisdom and discernment;
to your Church in its ministry to all, grant a watchful eye, a loving heart
and a prophetic voice in the service of your Kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Lord of Order and all Goodness,
We pray for those whose lives have been made even more uncertain by the Foot and Mouth incident in Surrey.
May all livestock farmers act wisely and calmly, and may they know that we who value their work and the food they produce for our good support them by our prayers. We pray too for those who have to enforce difficult regulations to safeguard the farm animals of this country.
And finally we pray for local churches whose members will be supporting the farming families in their anxiety.
We ask these things, being confident of your love for all your creation, expressed in the life of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Amen.