A Prayer Celebrating the Redeeming of Creation

From Gospel Translations

I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Rev. 5:13-14

Dear Lord Jesus, John’s vision of redeemed creation declaring your praise, captures my heart and fuels my hope this morning. Even as my heart grieves over any of a number of environmental disasters in our world, including the most recent tornados in Oklahoma, nevertheless I’m thankful that one Day we’ll enjoy the perfected and never-to-be-broken-again world of the new heaven and new earth.

Indeed, Lord Jesus, I’m filled with hope by your promise of the new creation world of inviolate beauty, irrepressible goodness, and perpetual flourishing. I greatly long for the Day when creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will enjoy the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom. 8:18-25). Hasten that Day!

By faith I can already hear the faint, but sure, singing of every creature “in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them” (Rev. 5:13) singing to you, Lord Jesus—Creator and Redeemer. But what will that frustration-free (Rom. 8:20), fully engaged, full-throated, pan-creature symphony and chorus actually sound like? I can hardly wait to see and hear.

Until that Day, grant me a gospel-heart to stay present and engaged in your story of “making all things new.” There are no little people, meaningless places or insignificant things; for all things matter to you. The gospel of your kingdom is that big, and you are that glorious of a King.

And if by hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado, or whatever else your saving purposes are to be realized (Rev. 8-9), I’ll humbly submit to your unquestionable wisdom and uncontested goodness. Things are not as they appear to the naked eye. You are at work in ways that require the eye of faith, and a heart of grace, to discern.

Lord Jesus, I’ll also keep seeking to be a good steward of “the first heaven and the first earth” (Rev. 21:1), until you return to finish making all things new. We’re not just “passing through” this world. It’s not home yet; but one Day it will be. Hallelujah, many times over! So very Amen I pray, with hope and longing, in your loving and grace-full name.