St. Francis Episcopal ChurchHolden, Massachusetts

 

O God, we thank thee for all the creatures thou has made, so perfect in their kind - great animals like elephants and the rhinoceros, humorous animals like the camel and the monkey, friendly ones like the dog and the cat, working ones like the horse and the ox, timid ones like the squirrel and the rabbit, majestic ones like the lion and the tiger, for birds with their songs.

 

O Lord give us such love for thy creation, that love may cast out fear, and all thy creatures see in us their priests and friends, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From The Oxford Book of Prayer

Bishop George Appleton (adapted)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hear our prayer, O God for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; or are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Your mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful. Animals and pets, may your days be full of sunshine and good things to eat. May your owners treat you always with respect and kindness. And may you continue to praise God, your Creator, by simply being what you are. Amen.