Blessing of the Animals

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Blessing of the Animals SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 1 God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves of every kind with which the waters swarm and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them. And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind, cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind. And it was so. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make humanity.” And God blessed them. God saw everything that God had made and, indeed, it was very good. LITANY: RESPONSE OF PEOPLE “WE THANK YOU.” Creator God, You have made a beautiful world. We thank you. Creator God, who has gifted us with the blessing of animals those in the wild, those on farms, those in our homes We thank you. We thank you for the birds we hear in the morning, the drone of bees when we are outside for the wonderful way life is interwoven. We thank you. We thank you for the gift of our own animal companions, for the joy they bring us, or the unconditional love and forgiveness that points us to you, for the way our pets are our confidants, listeners and stress-releasers, for the benefits they are to our health and to our Spirit, We thank you. PRAYER: Today we offer up prayers for all those involved in animal welfare and conservation work, including our local animal shelter. We pray for animals on farms and for strays on our streets. We pray for veterinarians and their practices. Enable them with your wisdom and compassion especially with sick and dying animals. Comfort grieving owners; allow the many warm memories to break the frost of grief. Amen. BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: Family member blesses the pet by saying… (Name of pet) You were created by God and you are loved by God. Blessings on you and the joy you bring to our family. BENEDICTION: Go into the world, love one another, cherishing your animal family and grateful for all ways God surrounds us with love.