A Church Service of Blessing for Animals

(as filmed at St Mark’s Regents Park, London, Summer 2006)

Opening Praise

God’s love has been poured into our hearts
We dwell in God and God with us

Give thanks to the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Make known God’s work amongst the peoples

Sing to the Lord, sing praise to God’s name
Tell of the Lord’s marvellous works

Holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and who is and who is to come.

HYMN: Morning has broken

Prayers Of Penitence

Lord God, through your Word you created all that is. In all creation, your Word resonates, so that even the stones proclaim you as Lord. The whales and all that move in the waters, the birds of the air, and the beasts of the wild. You call all creation to praise and glorify you. But our lips are often silent, our praise unspoken, and our thankfulness forgotten.
O Lord, our creator, touch our lips and let us speak for you.

You made the earth a home for all creatures, and made it holy by your presence among us, teaching us to learn of your Kingdom by loving and caring for the creatures of the earth. But we often pass by and turn away from those creatures weaker and poorer than ourselves, and from those we fear.
Come Lord Jesus, among us, and reveal your Kingdom in our midst.

In you, all creatures find the wellspring of life, and you give us water from the earth to sustain us. You give your creatures eyes to see and ears to hear but we are often blind and deaf to their pain because of our indifference, greed and carelessness.
Come Holy Spirit, and kind in us the fire of your love; come Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Almighty God, grant us forgiveness of sins through our Lord Jesus Christ and the strength and grace to respond with love to all God’s creation.
Amen

READING: Psalm 104:24, 28b-30

Prayer

O God, who has made the earth and every creature that dwells therein: help us, we pray, to treat with compassion and respect the creatures entrusted to our care, that they may not suffer from our neglect nor become the victims of any cruelty; and grant that in caring for them we may find a deeper understanding of your love for all creation; though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN/SONG: If I were a butterfly

Prayers

We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grown in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honour and glory of your name, now and for ever.
Amen.

With confidence and trust let us pray to the Lord:

For all animals and creatures, their habitats and environment, their health and well-being, that they may continue to teach us of your wisdom and grace:
O Lord, our Creator, hear us.
For the care and respect of all animals:
O Lord, our Creator, hear us.
For Zoos and all who work for conservation:
O Lord, our Creator, hear us.
For veterinarians and all who treat sick animals:
O Lord, our Creator, hear us.
For those involved in the farming of animals:
O Lord, our Creator, hear us.
For a growing awareness of our responsibility for the care and nurture of all animal life:
O Lord, our Creator, hear us.
For animal companions, that we may see reflected in them your goodness and love:
O Lord, our Creator, hear us.
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray as our Saviour taught us:

Our Father…..

HYMN: All things bright and beautiful

Blessings

The Blessing Of Animals

Blessed are you Lord God, In your wisdom you created the universe and blessed us with all living creatures. I especially thank you for entrusting me with my pet, who brings me so much happiness and whose presence very often helps me get through trying times.

Please bless my pet and make me a responsible steward of your creature. May we continue to give each other much joy.

As my pet trusts me to take care of it, help me to remember to trust you in taking care of us, for in so doing we share your love for all your creatures.

And especially we remember all endangered species and ask your help in taking care of them so that we may continue to appreciate all creation.

Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Individual Blessing On Pets And Their Carers

Bless, O Lord, this your creature, and all who are involved in its care and protection.

The Blessing Of The People

I will pronounce upon you the blessing which St Francis gave to Brother Leo, his companion:

The Lord bless you and watch over you.
The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look kindly on you and give you peace.
My sisters, my brothers, the Lord bless you.

Go in peace. Be good stewards of the creation.
Live in harmony with all living things.
Thanks be to God.