When you lose a pet, it can feel like you lost a part of yourself. There are plenty of ways to cope with the pain and grief that come with losing a pet—and we’ve got some tips on how to do just that. But sometimes, there’s nothing like doing something beautiful in honor of your beloved dog or cat. That’s why we’ve collected some of our favorite prayers written by Saint Francis of Assisi for your furry friends. Life is full of mysteries. What happens when we die? Are pets reincarnated, or do they just go off to heaven?

Is there a heaven for pets? Why are we so obsessed with the idea of pets in heaven? No one knows for sure. But there are some pretty good guesses. The death of a pet is always a heartbreaking experience. When it happens, it can feel like the end of the world—especially if you’re a child. But there is hope! You can help your child through their grief by encouraging them to say this prayer for their deceased pet:

You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on liturgy for the death of a pet, short prayer for loss of pet, prayer for deceased pet dog. Read on to learn more. We at churchgists have all the information that you need about prayer for deceased pet.

St Francis Prayer For⁢ Deceased Pet

1. Heavenly Father,

As we mourn the loss of our beloved companion, we ask for Your comfort and peace to surround us. Help us to remember the joy and love that (pet’s name) brought into our lives, and may we find solace in knowing that (he/she) is now in Your care.

2. Lord God,

We thank You for the time we were able to spend with (pet’s name) and for the memories we will forever cherish. May (he/she) find eternal rest in Your presence, and may we find strength in knowing that Your love never fails.

3. Almighty God,

Guide us as we navigate this time of loss and grief. Help us to lean on each other for support and to find peace in the knowledge that Your plan is always perfect. May (pet’s name) find a happy new home in Your loving embrace.

4. Gracious Lord,

We entrust (pet’s name) to Your care, knowing that Your love for all creatures is endless. May (he/she) find comfort and joy in Your eternal kingdom, and may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the time we shared together.

5. Merciful Father,

As we remember (pet’s name) with love and gratitude, help us to hold onto the memories that bring us comfort. May (he/she) rest peacefully in Your presence, and may we find strength in knowing that Your love never wavers.

6. Loving God,

We thank You for the gift of (pet’s name) and for the unconditional love (he/she) showed us during (his/her) time with us. May (he/she) find eternal peace in Your loving embrace, and may we find solace in Your everlasting faithfulness.

7. Heavenly Father,

Grant us the strength to move forward with our lives, knowing that (pet’s name) is now at peace in Your presence. Help us to cherish the memories we shared and to find comfort in Your unwavering love and grace.

8. Lord God,

We lift up our prayers for (pet’s name) as (he/she) embarks on a new journey in Your loving care. May (he/she) find happiness and peace in Your presence, and may we find comfort in the knowledge that Your love never fails.

And in times of loss, we find comfort in the words of Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

St Francis Prayer For Deceased Pet

We express our sincere gratitude to You, God, for the creation of (pet’s name), for placing (him/her) in our care, and for temporarily sustaining (him/her) in our affection. It is acknowledged that all life must perish. We were ready for this day to arrive. However, we would have desired one more day of play and one more evening of affection with (pet’s name), O God. May You, O God, grant (the name of the pet) the same care that you have shown for him or her during existence. You placed (the name of the pet) in our care; we are now returning him or her to you. May (name of the pet) discover joy in a new environment filled with your affection.

Praying to the Lord on behalf of our creatures
This prayer may provide us with the following words to address Him:

I am meditating on the bestowed gift of (pet’s name), Lord God.
I pray with St. Francis: May the Lord be honored in all your creations.

“Because you cherish every existing thing and abhor everything you have created, you have no hatred for what you have created” (Wis 11:24).

Father, each being is the recipient of your affection, and you assign a specific function for each being in the universe. You lavish affection upon even the most impermanent of your beings during its transient existence, as it is the object of your affection.

Therefore, our fondness for (name of companion) evokes thoughts of you.
We appreciate the time that we have spent with them.
We are sincerely grateful for the entrusted care of their existence.
We appreciate the happiness that they have bestowed upon us.

May the entirety of creation perpetually inspire us to extol and adore you. Amen.

St Francis Prayer For Deceased Pet

Most holy St. Francis, you loved all of god’s creatures. To you they were your brothers and sisters. Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness. St. Francis, patron saint of animals, watch over my pet and keep my companion safe and healthy. Amen

St. Francis of Assisi was a Franciscan friar who lived during the 13th century. He was known for his love of animals and his devotion to God, which he expressed through helping others in any way he could.

This prayer is a great way to honor your pet’s memory as you pray for something that they loved while they were alive, such as their toys or food bowls!

St Francis Prayer For Dogs

O God, as we have taken care of (pet’s name) in life, we ask that You watch over (him/her) in death. You entrusted (pet’s name) to our care; now, we give (him/her) back to You. May (pet’s name) find a happy new home in Your loving embrace. As we remember (pet’s name), may we love each other more dearly.

During every funeral, I remind the audience that funeral sermons are for the living, not the dead. Words spoken in the hour of death can encourage the living to remain faithful to the Lord. After the first martyr gave his life for the Lord, Luke tells us that “devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him” (Acts 8:2).

Acts 9:36 tells us of Dorcas, a woman “full of good works and charitable deeds.” While at Joppa, she grew sick and died. The disciples washed her and placed her in an upper room. When Peter entered the room “all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them” (Acts 9:39). This godly woman was remembered what she left behind. Revelation 14:13 says our works will follow us. When you die, what will you leave behind?

“We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). Why do so many people get all wrapped up with “possessions”? Jesus asked, “What is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

What would you gain if you had the whole world? Whatever it is, it will not endure after the Judgment is passed (2 Peter 3:10).

What would you give in exchange for your soul? Whatever it may be, this is one transaction you will eternally regret. Judas sold his soul for 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16)—some Christians will sell out for far less. Some will sell their soul for a few more minutes sleep on Sunday morning, or another hour of TV on Sunday night. Gospel preachers have been known to exchange their hope of eternal glory for the praise of men (2 Tim. 4:3).

When you die, all that your spouse will have left of you are memories and pictures. Don’t wait till your spouse dies to express your love. Flowers at the graveside might make you feel better, but your spouse could only have enjoyed them in life.

Among the many laws in the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy 24:5 is one of the most quaint. It says, “When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife, whom he has taken.” God intended for the home to be pleasant for both parties.

The Psalmist tells us our “children are a heritage from the Lord” (Psa. 127:3). How are you treating your “gift” from God?

You probably purchased life insurance so your spouse can meet the financial needs of your children in the event of your death—this is to be commended. In 1986 Christa McAuliffe died aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Some of her friends had purchased a $1 million life insurance policy for her children. But that money could not dry a single tear from her children’s eyes.

I am saddened by parents who get all wrapped up in material things so they can give their children “the best of everything.” My sons often drag me outside to play baseball (I hate baseball), but, I know they would rather spend 30 minutes with me than have a new bicycle.

What will your friends think when they read your obituary? Will they be surprised to find out you were a Christian? Will the reputation of the Lord’s church be harmed? Your death will affect them, for “none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Rom. 14:7).

Sermon: Funeral Sermon for a Sudden, Unexpected Death – Mark 4

The Sea of Galilee is a sparkling jewel in the northern part of Israel. It is not large. It’s more like a lake than what we think of as a sea. Only thirteen miles in length, seven and one-half miles at its widest point, surrounded by hills, including the Golan Heights, it was the chief source of revenue for its fishermen, of pleasure, and of beauty for those who lived around its shores. Jesus made his headquarters here. Many of his miracles and much of his ministry took place here. He called the early band of brothers, his disciples, from this area.

Seeking a break from the demand of the excited crowds that had begun to follow him, Jesus took a boat, and with some of his disciples, drifted off for some rest and relaxation. But suddenly their leisure day was disrupted by a violent storm. This was not unusual. The sea is 680 feet below sea level, surrounded by hills that send the cool air from the heights of Mt. Hermon hurtling through their ravines that serve as giant wind tunnels to collide with the warm, moist air flowing east from the Mediterranean Sea. The result can produce a very dramatic storm. In that sudden storm, Jesus did an astounding thing. And in that we learn some things that counsel us in the light of the devastating experience that we seek to navigate through in these days.

I. No guarantee against the sudden

First of all, we are reminded that although the Sovereign of the universe is on the boat, it is no guarantee against the sudden—in this case, a sudden storm (v. 37). It has been the mistaken notion of many that if a person is a faithful follower of Jesus, he or she is protected from the troubles of life. Their children will be successful, sickness will never come their way, their financial ventures will always succeed, and disappointment will never knock at their door.

A quick look at some of the men and women who knew and served God in the Scripture will reveal the falsehood of this belief. Joseph went to prison. Job lost everything but his life. Jeremiah was put in prison. Paul had an affliction that plagued him all his life. All of the original disciples were martyred for their faith in Jesus, except one. And he was an exiled prisoner. Jesus never promised a “rose garden” tour of life. However, he did promise, “I am with you” (Matt. 28:20). It may be tough to be in a storm with Jesus, but imagine being in one without him.

II. It may appear God isn’t doing anything

Second, it may appear that in these sudden experiences of life that grieve us and threaten our sense of God’s nearness and care that God isn’t doing anything (v. 38). These experienced, veteran fishermen were thoroughly frightened. Their lives were on the line, yet Jesus appeared to be sleeping through the situation.

In life, things come at us that we cannot control. Some things come through the actions of other people, and some things in life are never explained. God seems to be silent when we long for a word. One theologian, in facing this dilemma, said that “sometimes the silence of God is God’s highest thought.” (Helmut Thielick, source unknown) 

Like these hardy fishermen, we protest the seeming inaction of Jesus when he seems to be asleep at the wheel of our lives.

III. Fear can replace faith

Third, we can respond like Jesus’ disciples. Fear can replace faith. Jesus did hear their cries for help. He sprang into action. He spoke, and the winds ceased and the waves curled up around his feet like submissive tigers under the voice of their trainer. He then asked a penetrating question, “Why are you so afraid?” There are three words for fear in the language of the New Testament. Here Jesus used the one that is always used in a bad sense.

The men were deeply terrified. When fear comes, faith is removed. We live in a world with much to cause fear: the fear of terrorists, of illness, of losing our jobs, of being victimized by brutal criminals or white-collar fraud. Fear can immobilize us as it did Jesus’ companions. When fear knocks, we must send faith to answer the door. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7 KJV).

When the sudden comes in our lives, the Sovereign Savior is looking for us to look at him. They had seen Jesus do mighty things in recent days. They knew he had the power to heal the sick and cast out demons, but their faith trembled at this unexpected turn of events. In the light of his power and faithfulness in the past, Jesus asked, “Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40). Jesus challenges us to look deep within us and remember some things that can turn our pain, our grief, our questions, and our uncertainties into the beginning of healing in the face of this unanticipated event.

IV. Jesus hears our cries

We are to remember that although Jesus did not hear the howling storm, he heard his disciples’ cries. Much as a mother hears the cries of her baby and a shepherd hears the bleat of the sheep, so does Jesus hear our cries. “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear” (Isa. 59:1).

V. Sudden storms serve to turn us to Jesus

Sudden storms also serve to turn us to Jesus (v. 38). We can be so caught up in everything else in life that God is moved into the edges of our existence. It doesn’t happen quickly. But gradually the joy of knowing and serving him evaporates from our lives. Then the sudden storm hits. Before the storm we had forgotten what God looks like and now, in the storm, we turn to see him again.

VI. Storms don’t last forever

This story tells another helpful truth: storms don’t last forever. In certain localities in this country and the world, as on the Sea of Galilee, a storm can brew within a matter of minutes and hurl its fury in torrents of rain, lightning flashes, and thunder. Then it’s over. One minister said his favorite text was, “It shall come to pass” (Acts 2:17 KJV). So, too, will the turbulence through which we presently walk. The pain will linger, but its power will be softened.

VII. God will assist others

The Sovereign of the Sudden does something else in our storms. He will assist others—who see us coming through our assault—to be blessed in the storms they are facing. When Jesus’ boat started across the lake, “there were also other boats with him” (v. 36). They became survivors, too, because Jesus worked in the one and the overflow of protection encircled the others. People watch how we deal with our crises. Is God real in our lives? Is the faith we have practiced, sung about, and shared with others robust enough to take this blow?

A couple had prayed for a baby boy for years. God answered them after several childless years with a girl. A few years later, a boy arrived. But in his preschool years, he became violently ill one afternoon. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. The trauma team did their best. After a couple of hours, a doctor approached the mother with the news that the child’s condition was critical. He would either die, or be physically disabled for life if, by slim chance, he survived. He turned to walk away while family and friends stood in stunned silence.

Suddenly, the mother called the doctor to come back. She said, “Doctor, thank you for what you’ve done. This child belongs to God. We prayed for him. God gave him to us. We gave him back to God. If God takes him, he’s okay. If he leaves him, that’s okay. If he chooses to take him, we’re okay.” And they were. And “other boats” were heartened by their experience.

VIII. The sovereign of the sudden is in control

Finally, storms remind us that the Sovereign of the Sudden is in control (v. 41). The disciples were overwhelmed by what they had seen. They had a new fear: a reverential fear. They had seen Jesus, with a word, rebuke wind and waves. They were reminded that the Sovereign of the Sudden is in control when everything else seems to be totally out of control. That boat could not sink because God’s plan for the world was on it. Someone has said, “No water can swallow the ship where lies, the master of heaven, and earth, and skies.” (Mary A. Baker, “Peace Be Still,” 1941)

God’s plan and purpose for our loved one and for our lives are not subject to whims, accidents, circumstances, illnesses, and evil. God works through these to bring about his will. We stand on the assurance, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isa. 43:1–3).

David Watson was the dynamic pastor of the St. Michael’s Church in York, England. Large crowds filled the sanctuary week after week to hear him call them to faith and fellowship with Jesus. In the prime of his life, Watson was diagnosed with cancer. The people prayed, and he fought it. But, in the end, it ravaged his body and he went home to the Chief Bishop of his soul.

The following Sunday, a cherished friend was asked to lead in the worship and the communion service. When he stood to speak, emotion overcame him as he thought of the absence of his recently deceased friend. He wept, as did the grief-stricken congregation. Then someone thought about a phrase that David often used. Sometimes, even in the middle of a message, Watson would shout, “Our Lord reigns!” Quietly, but strong enough to be heard, he said, “Our Lord reigns.” Another picked it up. Then another joined them. Soon the packed sanctuary was filled with hundreds of voices, chanting together on their feet, “Our Lord reigns!” For minutes, it rocked the cavernous worship hall. Applause and cheering broke out.

Depression gave way to celebration. The Sovereign of the Sudden was, is, and always will be in charge. In our pain and sorrow, we stand on the everlasting truth, “Our Lord reigns!”