How to Live in a World That Is Dying: Meditations and Prayers for Our Planet

by Mary Jane Miller, Sy Brontide (Contributor), Mel Ahlborn (Contributor)

Ancient prayer traditions and contemplation have been passed from generation to generation and are still alive today. Recitations of love and reflection, alone or in a group are powerful, they nurture the soul, fuel the heart, and uplift the spirit. We focus a great deal on human needs, the sick, isolated, aged, imprisoned, and in peril. It may be prudent to add our devotion and respect for God’s plan revealed on Earth. Our contemporary society does not allow us time to pause long enough to appreciate our delicate, at times imperceptible relationship to the natural order that surrounds us. A powerful sense of grace is revealed in this book as we gather for the sacramental petition, communal prayer, and a shift in our attitude toward Mother Earth. The Earth is listening, she sees our human dilemma, and she is calling us to pay attention. Mary Jane Miller has given words for us to cry out and reflect, in unison with gratitude, repentance, compassion, and guidance for the Earth's preservation. Mary Jane Miller believes that awareness and a change of heart will help us find the courage to open ourselves to deepening care for the planet. It may take some sacrifice on our part. As Christ said, “Where your heart is, there will be your treasure.” If we learn to treasure the wonder of humanity, we will love the natural world that surrounds us. In Harmony with the concept, if we treasure the natural world, we will love humanity in all its magnificent diversity. In closing, Powerful Mother Earth, by your grace and intercessory power, take into your hands my confusion and fears. Holy Spirit expose my need for God and renew my soul with hope. Hear my plea for Creation. Keep me, guide me, protect me, oh safe refuge! You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by ignorance. In your hands, any situation can be resolved. The divine love and immense mercies that exist in your heart move through Creation. Build in me a temple of compassionate care for humanity and our How To Live In A World That Is Dying is 72 pages designed as a resource and guide, to focus the mind and heart on one another and Mother Earth as she speaks back to us. In an age of great fear and anxiety, the book is meant as a tool to help us slow down and reflect on how we have participated in the crisis we are in, our consumerism, our desire for more, and our total disregard for the earth that sustains our world.

72 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2023

About the author

I have a mind full of classic and contemporary icon images, journals filled with words and concepts, it represents a cacophony of fragments brought together with the help of an editor.

I have used Lulu.com for self publishing and then of course Amazon to publish. Mostly this direction is the result of publishing full color books. Publishers are not willing to take a risk because of the expense. Up until now, I have been offering my words and images to a nitch market. The dedication and commitment for Iconography and prayer, comes from my heart and mind.

Getting up at night and writing or painting an idea down is delight. It is common for most artists to work alone fro long periods of time. In the middle of a the inspiration and work we fine out it is not always the middle, creative things happen, we let go of one direction, and wonder off the landscape of the initial outline. My advice is be faithful to your heart.

The latest book In Light of Women is about the absence of women in iconography, and their silent voices in the Christian church. The book includes the images from my latest collection of original icons. They have been a delight to see in print.