A Prayer Reflection on Cultural Moments around Creation, Earth Day, and the Artemis II Mission

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Matthew Sturtevant - April 19, 2026
Scripture: Matthew 6:9–13

Series: Not part of a series

Lord, on this week when our culture celebrates your Earth….in this month when our shared imagination has been caught up in the images that we have seen from the Artemis II mission…in this hour, may these two cultural moments prompt to us to worship you as Creator of the universe.

Creator God, we are reminded that you are the One who spoke the stars and the planets into being. From darkness and chaos, you spoke and there was light. Day and night formed by your breath. Suns and planets made by your voice. As humans have received these images in a new way, may our response be worship. To worship you as creator of the heavens. To worship you as the Maker of all good and perfect gifts. May our words of our lips and our hearts be our worshipful prayer to you, as we gaze upon the beauty that you created.

Creator God, we marvel at the images of what St. Francis of Assisi called “Sister Moon.” As he looked up and saw its beauty, he was reminded to worship you: “Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.” We gaze with wonder at this our companion in space, which creates essential ocean tides, and pulls us into the tilt that stabilizes our climate. The moon that you have hung beside the earth slows its rotation to protect us from unmanageable winds. And even migrating birds look to the moon for navigation and direction. May these images remind us of your providential care in these and so many other ways. You who once spoke the moon into creation…continue to create and change and protect us with this perfectly placed companion, all through your love. “Praised be You, our Lord.”

Creator God, these images put into perspective our place in the universe. We who feel as though we are the kings and queens of all creation find ourselves reminded that we are only a miniscule part of your universe. As we step back together, may we find a new humility… and perhaps a new unity. That we might learn how to come together to care for one another, instead of fighting to stay on some imagined top of this tiny pile of rocks. As astronaut Victor Glover shared from the Artemis mission, gazing upon the earth from a quarter of a million miles away, may we remember that your earth is “an oasis created by (you), God”, something that prompts Victor invite us “love God with all that you are.” Creator God, may his words, and these images, remind us to turn from our self-worship and self-aggrandizement, and turn to your providential love, your immense power, and your ever-surprising creativity.

(Matthew 6.9–13, The Lord’s Prayer)