Churches are being invited to use prayers for times of extreme weather set out in a newly expanded Church of England service book, following the UK's hottest summer on record.
A prayer for the farmers hit by crisis is also included in the new edition of A Time for Creation, which has been revised and expanded ahead of the new annual Festival of Creation in Christ next month.
It comes as communities across the country experienced firsthand the devastating effects of the extreme weather with temperatures topping 38C and further major fires taking hold in many areas.
Local churches have been involved in helping people affected, both through practical support and prayer.
Resources for services highlighting the environment, including the new Festival of Creation in Christ, to be held on Sunday September 6, have been published online as well as in a revised and expanded print edition of A Time for Creation, published this week by Church House Publishing.
There is a section headlined “Prayers in times of extreme weather” and “A prayer for the farming community in a time of crisis” as well as intercessions for those affected by extreme weather through drought, lack of clean water, storms, flood, wildfires and other events.
The Bishop of Lichfield, Dr Michael Ipgrave, Chair of the Church of England’s Liturgical Commission, encouraged churches to draw from the prayers which continue a longstanding tradition going back to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer which includes a Prayer for Rain.
“For centuries, the people of England have turned to prayer in times of extreme weather of all sorts,” he said.
“In this fearful time of excessive heat and drought, we remember in particular those affected by fires, farmers, and people suffering because of the heat, and all those who care for them.
“The prayer book asks that we may receive ‘in our necessity such moderate rain and showers’ as we need. Our prayers invite us to ask, to wait and to know the glory and awesomeness of God when they are answered.”
The new Festival has been launched after the Church of England’s theological document Hope for All Creation was issued last month. It sets out the Christian understanding of the environmental crises facing the world, rooting care for creation in the biblical story of creation, redemption and renewal.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for the Environment, said:
“Along with many others across the Church of England, I am deeply saddened by the impact of the wildfires affecting communities and destroying habitats across the country.
“In the diocese I serve we have seen a church school badly damaged from a fire that started due to the heat. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the emergency services and everyone working tirelessly to keep people safe.
“Many Anglicans around the world, particularly in some of the poorest communities, are already living with the effects of climate change. The scenes we are witnessing here in England are a reminder that these challenges are increasingly being felt closer to home.
“Responding to the climate and biodiversity crises is an important part of our Christian mission and our commitment to caring for God's creation.
“I encourage us all to pray for all those affected by the heatwave and wildfires, especially those whose homes, livelihoods, and communities have been impacted.
“As we respond to these challenges, resources such as the new House of Bishop’s teaching document, Hope for All Creation, help us reflect on how we can exercise wise and responsible stewardship of the planet we share, as well as take daily actions to reduce our carbon emissions and tread more gently on the earth.”