Hope unites us and can be the catalyst for powerful, positive change – both personal and communal. Building on the momentum of our Year of Kindness, SSM Health introduced the Year of Hope to inspire team members, providers, and those around us to spread good news throughout our health ministry and communities. To face our challenges with faith and optimism, the Year of Hope offers us moments to pause, reflect, and connect with our purpose while looking forward to the future with expectation.
This month we turn our focus on hope for a healthy planet.
In what we describe as “compassionate care for creation,” SSM Health has long committed time and resources to conserving – and beautifying – our communities and the world around us. Throughout our regions, our team members are often seen picking up trash along our adopted roadsides, tending community gardens, aiding in city restoration efforts, and in the past five years alone, we’ve contributed to the planting of more than 13,000 trees in our communities.
But the environment is more than ours to preserve – it is a gift from God for us to enjoy and observe and an investment in the hope for our future.
It is our responsibility to reduce our consumption of natural resources, reduce our environmental impact, and help make our planet a healthier – and more hopeful – place for future generations – the health of our loved ones and neighbors depends on it.
Let’s take a few moments to pause in prayer, self-reflect, and take action. Our journey of hope continues:
I have hope for a healthy planet
Reflection
“It is now well understood that humans ultimately depend on the health of the planet for their well-being.”
-Peter Garrett, musician, environmentalist
Prayer for a Sustainable Earth
Lord,
We pray for the well-being of our planet, Earth, that it may continue to sustain and nurture all living beings.
May we be responsible stewards of this precious gift, caring for the environment with love and respect. Grant us the wisdom to make choices that protect and preserve the Earth for future generations.
We thank You for the beauty and abundance of our planet and pray for its lasting.1
Amen
Self-reflective questions
- In what ways are you protecting and preserving the Earth – both at home and at work?
- What ideas do you have that you could share with others?
Cultivating Hope
- Practice hope – in a journal, write down a marvel you saw in nature – a flower, sunrise, birds singing – and reflect on its significance.
- Participate in a local tree planting event, landscape with native plants or flowers at your home.
New to the Year of Hope Challenge? Take a look back at our focus on Hope for Health Equity, Hope for Social Justice, and Hope for the New Year.
1. Flor, M. (2024, May 4). 25 Very short prayers for world peace - Strength in prayer. Strength in Prayer. https://strengthinprayer.com/very-short-prayer-for-world-peace/
