The life of a farmer has never been an easy one. It has always demanded long hours, physical strain and a multitude of dangers and difficulties.
These days, however, farmers are facing even more challenges, especially from rising costs as well as the heat and drought surging across the country. Is this a unique moment we’re living through? I don’t know, but it is a moment when prayer seems appropriate for farmers and their families, farms and communities. I hope you’ll join me in a litany for farmers—and perhaps even recommend it to your pastor and church:
Gracious God, Gentle Shepherd, Garden Planter, we come to You on behalf of those who toil in farm and field, producing food for Your children and feed for creatures around the world…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord, give crops and livestock the break they need from days and nights of stifling heat, that they may recover and flourish…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Steer the rainclouds in the right direction and send rain in the right amounts, for some have too much, and some too little…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Protect farm workers from heat, exhaustion and injury…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Protect livestock too—every chick and calf, every shoat and sheep, every bird and beast in the barn…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Deliver farmers from the debt accrued from costly machinery and shifting markets…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Save land and buildings, plants and animals from wildfire, erosion and blight…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Deliver them from the ravages of inflation; bring down the cost of seed, feed, fertilizer, fuel and hay into reasonable ranges…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Save farmers from the twin perils of low yield and depressed sale prices that plunder their profits…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Chase from them the worry and panic that so easily besets and send peace that passes understanding to their hearts and minds …
Lord, hear our prayer.
Protect, preserve and prosper their family relationships amid long hours and stressful times…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Give them strength for their difficult task. Hear their prayers. Supply their needs. Lift their heads and bring them to the end of each day’s work with faith to keep on and hope for the future…
Lord, hear our prayer.
Did you pray as you read this? I hope so. And I hope you’ll pray it again, whether in private or in corporate worship. Remember those who add so much to our way of life and ask so little.
Special thanks to my farming friends J. D. Wininger and Caitlin Henderson for their help with this post.
