Earth serves as a bountiful source of life, beauty, and food for us. It’s only natural we’d want to return the treatment. But human ego, greed, confusion, and fear tempt us to do that which is unnatural, and suffering is felt. Too often, we make others suffer first.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. What is natural is possible.

Many of us find help in prayer or meditation as helpful in quieting the human egos bent on self-destruction and self-deception. The mind’s eye sees peace and encouragement. We can look around and find people who are contributing to the health of Earth. We can join them or we follow their footsteps on our own.

Religion News Service posted an article January 26, 2018 that juxtaposed environmental care and religion. Evelyn Tucker, co-director of the Yale Forum on Religion and the Ecology, “pointed to programs such as Yale Divinity School’s master’s degree in religion and ecology, which trains future ministers to view the environment as a critical component of faith formation.”

The environment has always been a critical component of my faith. I enjoy my daily walks in the woods. The natural environment tells me love and light are real. It tells me I can’t stop newness and healing. It humbles me and inspires me to share goodness, to tread lighter.

• I think before I buy and notice I buy less.
• I turn off unneeded lights.
• I eat smart, from my garden as much as possible.
• I read instead of watch TV.

I believe we were given dominion to take care of Earth, not to dominate. Just as I believe I was given dominion to take care of my children, not dominate them.

 “This, then, is how you should pray: