As Christians, it's essential to understand what the Bible says nature and the environment. The Bible has a lot to say about caring for the earth.
It calls us to protect the earth and stand alongside those most affected by its degradation.
These Bible verses speak to the beauty, responsibility and divine ownership of our environment.
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Bible verses about caring for creation
- Genesis 2:15 - 'The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.’
- Psalm 24:1 - ‘The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.’
- Romans 1:20 - 'Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse.'
- Psalm 104:24-25 - 'O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.'
- Genesis 1:28 - 'God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’
- Job 12:7-10 - 'But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.'
- Colossians 1:16-17 - 'For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.'
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What does the Bible say about the earth?
From the very beginning, the Bible makes clear that the earth is created by God, belongs to God, and is deeply valued by God.
In Genesis, we’re told that creation is not an accident or an afterthought, it’s intentional and good: ‘God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.’ – Genesis 1:31
This reminds us that the earth has inherent worth and should be respected and protected.
The Bible also teaches that the earth ultimately belongs to God, not to us: ‘The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.’ – Psalm 24:1
As people of faith, this shapes how we see our role. We are not owners of the earth, but stewards entrusted to care for it.
In Genesis 2:15, humanity is placed in the garden ‘to till it and keep it’. We’re called to nurture and sustain it.
Throughout scripture, we also see that the wellbeing of the earth is closely connected to human actions. When justice breaks down, creation suffers too: ‘Therefore the land mourns, and all who live in it languish… even the fish of the sea are perishing.’ (Hosea 4:3). Yet the Bible is still full of hope. God’s care for the earth is ongoing: ‘You visit the earth and water it… you greatly enrich it.’ (Psalm 65:9)
Taken together, these verses show that caring for the earth is an essential part of living out our faith. It’s one way we honour God and love our global neighbours too.
All of these verses are taken from the NRSV version of the Bible.
Pray for the earth and climate justice
These verses show that God has given us the invaluable job of taking care of the environment. Throughout the Bible, from the Garden of Eden to the final judgment, we are called to protect and cherish the earth because it belongs to the Lord.
Let's accept our role as caretakers of God's creation. By working together, we can maintain the beauty and health of the natural world, make sure it's still intact for all the generations to come.
Download our prayer sheet to continue prayingA prayer for the earth
Loving God,
You are the Creator of all things, the earth and everything in it.
Forgive us for the times we have neglected Your creation,
and remind us to care for the world with the love and respect it deserves.
Living Christ,
You walked among us and showed us the beauty of God’s handiwork.
Help us to follow Your example in nurturing and protecting nature,
bringing healing and renewal to our environment.
Holy Spirit,
Fill us with a deep reverence for the earth and all its inhabitants.
Inspire us to act as faithful stewards of Your creation,
working tirelessly to sustain and restore the world we share.
