With modern advancements come serious problems. Although it’s amazing how humanity has evolved from a hunting-and-gathering society to the most technologically advanced species in earth’s history, we cannot deny the negative consequences these advancements have. Human activities have posed a threat to the environment, affecting not only animal habitats but also animals themselves. Animals are losing their homes and are forced to migrate to unideal places that are not suited to their diets and bodies. Furthermore, animal abuse happens all over the world: in laboratories, pounds, zoos, and even in households.
This cruel reality is a stark contrast to what God, our Creator, originally assigned us to do: to take care of His creations. Offer this prayer for animals to God and ask Him to end animal cruelty and environmental damage.
Prayer for creation
Our Great Creator,
Your glory shines brighter than the sun, and the strength of Your power is enough to rattle all the mountains of the world. But above all these is Your breath that gave life to the earth and Your hands that carefully and lovingly created so many unique creatures, each with their own place and function in nature.
Forgive us for all the destruction and chaos we’ve caused. We know now how foolish we were and how ignorant we continue to be. Help us spread awareness to those who still choose to keep their eyes closed as animals, and the earth in general, continue to suffer because of man’s greed. Matters of the environment are pressing, and I hope they see how dangerous our choices are. So many innocent animals are taken from their homes or killed mercilessly just to give men the luxuries we enjoy.
Thank You for all the wonders of the world, especially the tiny, wondrous details we often take for granted. Thank You for the melody of birdsong each morning and the rooster’s wake-up call; for the majesty of the blue whale and the swiftness of the eagles that fly overhead; for the thundering gallops of horses, and the stealthy slither of snakes; for the farm animals that give us food and resources and the pets that give us such unending joy.
Bless our pets, Lord. May we give them the happiness they deserve, just as they make us happy. We may not speak the same language, but the bond between owner and pet is founded on a beautiful kind of love and companionship that goes beyond understanding. May no pet feel the sting of a whip or a hand’s hit.
I hope to see this kind of love not only for pets but for wild animals too. They are Your creations too, and I beg You to have mercy on them as they slowly lose their homes and become endangered. I hope that we humans, as protectors of Your creations, will finally learn to let them live in peace and know our limits whenever we take from their habitats. After all, we are only guests in this breathtakingly mysterious world teeming with life. I pray that these beautiful, innocent animals will be saved, that they will thrive in their natural habitats and worry no more about humanity interfering with the circle of life. I pray that all animals will finally feel the peace and boundaries they deserve, no matter their place in the food chain or how humans have come to perceive them.
May You bring peace and harmony among Your creations.
Amen.
Short prayer for animals
Almighty God,
As the greed of men continues to deplete the earth of its beauty and resources, I pray for all the animals who have to suffer because of our irresponsible actions. Protect them and their habitats, and teach us, humans, how to do better as caretakers of Your creations. Heal the world and replenish the things we’ve taken so ruthlessly. May we all Your beloved creations finally live together in harmony.
Amen.
The Word of God
who teaches us more than the animals of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?
Job 35:11 NRSVUE
The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Proverbs 12:10 NRSVUE
He gives to the animals their food and to the young ravens when they cry.
Psalm 147:9 NRSVUE
Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
Genesis 1:26 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi
Holy Saint Francis, patron of animals,
I humbly knock on the doors of your heart, seeking protection for animals. Protect them from the destruction and pain we humans have caused. May they thrive in their ideal habitats, where the circle of life can continue on and on without disturbance.
Pray for us humans, too, for God put us in charge of protecting the world He created and caring for animals. We have failed in our task, but it is not too late. Wash away all the greed that drives us to take and take from nature and never give back, depleting the environment of its resources and destroying the natural habitats of animals. I also pray for pet owners, especially those who are unkind to their pets. Touch them with love and kindness and give them a change of heart. May they learn to properly care for their animals and let go of abuse and cruelty.
I pray for animal cruelty activists and environmentalists who continue to fight for a better world. May the Lord God bless them with the wisdom and courage they need to determine the best way to promote awareness and action. Help them inspire others to take up a sustainable and environment-friendly lifestyle that will not harm the ecosystem. Hear my prayer and heal the earth’s wildlife and biodiversity. Awaken us to the reality of our cruel, greedy deeds and help us save endangered species that are on the brink of extinction.
Saint Francis, pray for us and all animals. Amen.
Further reflection
The choices we make every day have an effect on animals. The plastic straws and bags we use can suffocate marine animals. The smoke from our vehicles continues to pollute the air that we, as well as animals, breathe. A piece of wasted paper contributes to another tree being cut down.
There are many ways we can exercise our environmental responsibility. We can volunteer at nature reserves and animal shelters or be part of a local environmental organization. We can make sure to adopt pets rather than buy them. Even making more sustainable choices, like using reusable shopping bags and water containers and recycling and collecting organic waste rather than dumping it in landfill, can be a huge help to our dying earth and the poor animals who suffer from it.
Remember to always be mindful of our lifestyle and choices because they can affect the life and beauty around us. Make sure to ask the Lord to protect animals and save endangered species from extinction through this prayer for creation.
