Happy Belated St. Francis Day

We were out of town on St. Francis Day (October 4th) last week, 

so here's a little post for Poppy today in honor of the joy she brings to our days.... 

Some churches have services to bless the animals around St. Francis Day, so here's our little prayer to give thanks for Poppy! 

A Blessing for the Animals 

We thank you, Lord, for the gift of animals in our lives. We thank you for animals that comfort us, delight us and give us companionship. We thank you for dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, and fish.

We thank you, Lord, for the gift of animals.

We also thank you, Lord, for animals that give us wool and feathers to keep us warm. We thank you for animals that give us milk, cheese and eggs to help us grow and to keep us healthy. We thank you for horses, donkeys and oxen that work hard on farms around the world.

We thank you, Lord, for the gift of animals.

We thank you, Lord, for animals that eat plants and fertilize the soil, making it richer and more fertile for new growth and new life. We thank you, Lord, for the gift of insects, and especially bees, to pollinate fruit and vegetable plants for us to eat and flowers to give us joy.

We thank you, Lord, for the gift of animals.

We thank you, Lord, for being our Good Shepherd, for seeking us when we are lost, for showing us water to quench our thirst, and for leading us to green pastures. Help us to share our blessings with others and to help others have clean water and green pastures to feed and nourish their families, too.

In Christ’s name, Amen.

https://godspace.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/a-blessing-for-the-animals/