Gen 1:1 In the beginning … God created the heavens and the earth,

(Gen 1:20-28 NRSV) And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.”

{21} . . . God created . . . 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.

{24} And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind” . . . And it was so.

{26} Then God said, “Let us make humankind 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 . . . {27} So God created humankind in his image . . . {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.”

The animals God created inhabit the earth with us. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in human life. We read about them in the Bible: Animals were saved from the flood and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah (Gen 9:9-10). A giant fish saved Jonah (Jonah 2:1-11).Ravens brought bread to Elijah (1 Kings 17:6).

We recognize the divine connection we share with our pets. We came into each other’s lives for a purpose; for companionship, for help, for affection. We thank you, God, for the opportunity to share our love with our pets, and for our ability to care and provide for them.

In the name of God we bless this animal, this pet, this friend, and we bless those who care for it. We see them richly rewarded by each other’s company. We see each pet and each person guided clearly and safely by that higher power that brought them together.

And we accept this blessing in the name of Jesus Christ. And so it is. Amen

Apprehend God in all things,

for God is in all things.

Every single creature is full of God

and is a book about God.

Every creature is a word of God.

If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature —

even a caterpillar —

I would never have to prepare a sermon.

So full of God is every creature.

— Meister Eckhardt

Blessing for a Pet

Blessed are the animals we call our friends.

We nurture and care for them, and, in their special way,

they nurture and care for us.

They belong to us. We belong to them.

A bond is formed.

Not so much physical as spiritual.

Our pets know when we feel tired or sorrowful,

and they lend their loving support through unconditional love.

Our pets know when we are filled with happiness,

and they become part of that happiness.

Our friends, these animals, demonstrate for us an intuitive knowing

that often surpasses our own intuition;

a knowing without words, revealed in actions.

We consider them family.

They become little reflections of our very souls.

We gratefully accept their presence in our lives.

We honor the bond of mutual commitment we have,

one to another.

With true appreciation, we bless our pets,

the loving animals we call our friends.

(Original author: Rev. Dan Holloway)