A Service for the Blessing of Animals
The animals of God’s creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea.
They share in the fortunes of human existence
and have a part in human life.
God, who confers gifts on all living things,
has often used the service of animals
or made them reminders of the gifts of salvation.
Animals were saved from the flood
and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah. (GENESIS 9:9–10)
The paschal lamb recalls the passover sacrifice
and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. (EXODUS 12:3–14)
A giant fish saved Jonah; (JONAH 2:1–10)
ravens brought bread to Elijah; (1 KINGS 17:6)
animals were included in the repentance of Nineveh; (JONAH 3:7)
and animals share in Christ’s redemption of all God’s creation.
We, therefore, invoke God’s blessing on these animals.
As we do so, let us praise the Creator
and thank God for setting us as stewards
over all the creatures of the earth.
There were no llamas. But there was talk of borrowing a cow.