From Volume 10, Number 4, Spring 2004

Interceding for our Wounded Creation

By Don Wallace

Six months ago, The Wild Goose published my “Interceding for the Upper Green River Basin” of Wyoming.  As I write today, April 3rd, I just discovered that the Bureau of Land Management is scheduled to release the preliminary Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Study for potential development of the vast natural gas reserves of this territory.  I look forward to making a statement to the BLM during the subsequent public comment period. 

 Others have said that an important part of intercession is a willingness and availability to be involved.  My statement may be an important opportunity to present Biblical perspectives on the value of the land and its creatures.  The saga continues.

 The need to intercede for creation was expressed by Jack Stapleton “Healing Wounded History, Part I” in the previous issue.   “Adam, being in authority over creation, is now (after his rebellion) a curse on creation.”  It is not God who has cursed creation, but Adam and his descendents.  Christ’s redemption of people includes their calling and authority as well as their person, “All power and authority has been given to me.   Therefore, as you go make disciples of nations…” 

 I have found that as I have prayed for Upper Green River Basin and the Colorado River, the Lord has answered through human agency.  This has included actions by a prior Secretary of the Interior, an endangered fish recovery program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as other less prominent parties.  As I prayed for these rivers and their basins, I did not have any idea what the outcome would be or through whom. 

 I was praying in ignorance originally, but with time the Lord brought things to light.  Part of the revelation, which mostly came through mundane sources such as old books, magazines, newspapers, and websites, has made clear some of the sinful actions over the past two centuries related to these rivers and lands.  Even with this understanding and continued learning over the past six months, I still only know in part. 

 Prior unrighteous conduct has set into motion patterns of immoral and idolatrous usage.  In some cases, these impurities have given entry to demonic principalities, authorities, and powers who have established strongholds which are beyond the capacity of mere human strength to displace.  Fortunately, in Christ nothing is beyond redemption. 

 In the case of the Israelites, there was a substantial difference between the promise of the land and the possessing of it.  The land allotted to Israel (Numbers 34) was not fully occupied until the reign of King David over two hundred years later.  The primary prerequisite was a leader who was a man after God’s own heart. 

 General Douglas MacArthur said, “battles are won when superior firepower is brought to bear at the point of contact with the enemy.”  As we enter the battle to redeem and care for creation, we need to understand who the enemy is, what is the point of contact with the enemy, and what makes up our superior firepower.  The Apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthians to examine whether or not they were in the faith.  If we are not in the faith, our fallen selves can be the enemy or under the control of the enemy.  The enemy is not people, but sin and Satan.  We must not be deceived.  Abiding in Christ is vital to understanding our point of contact with the enemy. 

 As we discover injustices and defilements, perhaps centuries old, related to sites and territories, we can bring these before God’s throne and ask for forgiveness.  Sometimes, wounds between individuals, families, tribes, and nations need to be healed through reconciliation and restitution.  If we are part of or a descendant of an offending group, we may need to seek forgiveness for imputed corporate sin. 

 The Lord declares that the land is his and we are his tenants.  His purposes will always reflect his nature and character.  In Genesis 1, he declares the goodness of each stage of his creation.  Some commentators have said this is an act of an artist expressing delight and satisfaction in what he has made.  He overtly blesses the sea creatures and birds in verse 22.  All of these actions precede the creation of man.  There is not any Scriptural foundation to claim that creation primarily exists for the utilitarian purposes of people. 

 If we are to understand the purposes for any part of creation, we need to first ask in prayer.  His ways are not our ways.  As modern Westerners, we must recognize that we ourselves are part of creation.  There is a huge interdependence between us and everything else.  While others creatures are less valued by God than us (Mt. 6:26), it is a false inference to conclude that they are not valued by God.  We breathe the same air and drink the same water as the animals.  The molecules in our bodies are readily interchanged with the plants.

 Psalm 148 speaks of all creation in praise of the Lord.  Another passage tells us about the need for the land to rest.   Elsewhere, we are encouraged to enjoy the fruits of creation, but commanded not to destroy the fruitfulness thereof.  As we learn from the Bible and begin to discover the very presence of the Logos in all things (John 1: 1-3, 14), we are able to start caring for our part of the earth as God intended in the Garden. 

 The superior firepower of our battle is the Lord himself.  Besides humbling ourselves and forgiving others, it also includes praying for, interceding, and giving thanks for rulers and all those in authority (including BLM officials) in accordance with our growing understanding of the Lord’s will for creatures and lands.  As we bring specific issues and circumstances before the Lord, he is able to do what we cannot. 

 Jesus said we can expect opposition as we obey him (loving others, caring for creation).  To overcome this opposition, he instructed us to bless those who oppose us and to overcome evil through good works.  An abuser of creation, such as an industrial polluter or a neighbor over fertilizing his lawn needs to be blessed.  The Lord does not desire their destruction, but their repentance.  As we bless through prayer (eg. Aaronic blessing, Numbers 6) and actions, we can collaborate with the Lord as he seeks to draw people through his kindness.

 The battle for the earth and all it contains belongs to the Lord.  We are called to participate.  “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit”, says the Lord Almighty.

Don Wallace is an Voyager in the Order of St. Aidan. He lives with his wife and fellow Voyager, Angela Kantola, in Indian, Hills, CO.