A Prayer for Autumn

Happy Fall!

Clearly, my little garden does not provide us with substantial food year-round. Also, my husband and I live in the burbs, not the countryside. But I hold what I know is a romantic view of rural living and I respect those who work so hard to feed the masses. 

I love the following prayer. I don't think we have to be farmers to appreciate it. Wishing you a wonderful, bountiful season ahead!

... from Rural Life Prayer Book
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Good and generous Lord,

You have once more brought the year full circle, through planting and growing and ripening to harvest time, and autumn.

We thank You for the sun and the wind, the rain and the dew, the minerals of the earth and all the plants that grow and all the beasts and birds of farm and field. We marvel at your wonderful ways of bringing food from the earth for our good.

Dear God, help us to use Your rich gifts as You want us to. Teach us to share them with our neighbors when they are in need. Make us see, in the marvelous succession of seasons, and in the growth and ripening of our crops, the merciful, generous hand of Your divine providence.

Help us to realize, too, that if we keep Your commandments and live according to the inspirations of Your grace, we shall also reap a plentiful harvest in the autumn of our lifetimes; a harvest that we will be able to enjoy forever and ever, where no rust can destroy nor blight any least part of it. Amen.