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Prayers and Poems
PRAYER LINK-UP
EACH WEDNESDAY EVENING AT 9.30 PM
As prayer is a vital activity in our lives of faith, Catholic Concern for Animals committee member and CVAUK member Irene Casey, has put together some suggestions for prayers to be said every Wednesday evening at 9.30 by as many people as possible, alone or in groups, knowing that others around the world are doing the same.
PLEASE JOIN us for a few minutes praying to Almighty God for the whole of his suffering creation
SUGGESTED FORM OF PRAYER
'On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it,
that it may bring forth boughs and bear fruit,
and become a noble cedar;
and under it will dwell all kinds of beast;
in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.'
(Ezek 17:23)
CARRIE LISTENS TO GOD
This delightful little piece was sent to the Internet 'Prayers for Pets', an American-
I CRIED TODAY. I never cry, but I cried today. Fox [my horse] is sore again, lot only in the bad foot, but in the good one as well. God has been sending little signs all week that time is getting short. I probably won't handle things as well as I want to. But you know, that doesn't matter. Things will get handled one way or another and life will go on as God wants it to, for as long as he wants it to. I find great comfort in that.
His pain is unchanged. No miracles have arrived. Before I found this group ['Prayers for Pets' -
I spoke earlier about lessons. This eight-
Here is the answer to my question to God, as I understand it. The answer to yours might be totally different, because he made us all different. The point is, we all get an answer. (I hope no one is offended by the tone of this ... I don't presume to know how God talks. It's just the way I write, and I would like to share with you.)
THE TOP TEN ANSWERS TO 'WHY ME, GOD, AND WHAT DO I DO NOW?'
Hi there. I'm God. Thank you for asking for my opinion for a change instead of praying like you're placing an order at a fast-food window.
• 10. You are a human being and, as such, you are imperfect, and therefore a sinner. You are a Christian, right? I sent My son to fix that. All you need to do is live as He and I taught you. No, I do not punish sins; there's a guy in hell who handles that.
• 9. The body is but a vehicle you drive around while learning my lessons and doing my work. Bodies are fragile. Souls are not. All bodies wear out with time. Souls will not. Never forget which part is the more important.
• 8. Everything is part of my plan, even the ugly, painful stuff. Even the 'unfair' stuff. My plan is so huge, only I can understand how all the puzzle pieces fit together. Know that there is nothing that happens outside of my plan, and remember that, if life was perfect, it wouldn't be life. It would be heaven.
• 7. Animals are sinless. They don't need to be forgiven in order to go to heaven. People do. If you ask me whether you'll see your pets in Heaven, you'd better ask yourself if they are going to see you there!
• 6. Now, about that 'dominion over the animals' bit: I didn't give you power to do whatever you want with them, I gave you responsibility for taking good care of them. Remember, they belong to me. I only lent them to you for a while so you could learn from each other.
• 5. This is the hardest one you've learned, isn't it? There is no learning without challenge. There is no progress without adversity, there is no invention without need. No pain, no gain. It's true - I won't give you anything you can't handle. Dig deep. The strength is there, but you must be willing to accept my will in order to find it. Have faith in me - I really am here with you, especially when the lessons hurt the most.
• 10. You are a human being and, as such, you are imperfect, and therefore a sinner. You are a Christian, right? I sent My son to fix that. All you need to do is live as He and I taught you. No, I do not punish sins; there's a guy in hell who handles that.
• 9. The body is but a vehicle you drive around while learning my lessons and doing my work. Bodies are fragile. Souls are not. All bodies wear out with time. Souls will not. Never forget which part is the more important.
• 8. Everything is part of my plan, even the ugly, painful stuff. Even the 'unfair' stuff. My plan is so huge, only I can understand how all the puzzle pieces fit together. Know that there is nothing that happens outside of my plan, and remember that, if life was perfect, it wouldn't be life. It would be heaven.
• 7. Animals are sinless. They don't need to be forgiven in order to go to heaven. People do. If you ask me whether you'll see your pets in Heaven, you'd better ask yourself if they are going to see you there!
• 6. Now, about that 'dominion over the animals' bit: I didn't give you power to do whatever you want with them, I gave you responsibility for taking good care of them. Remember, they belong to me. I only lent them to you for a while so you could learn from each other.
• 5. This is the hardest one you've learned, isn't it? There is no learning without challenge. There is no progress without adversity, there is no invention without need. No pain, no gain. It's true -
• 4. Remember the difference between need and want.
• 3. Pray -
• 2. Praise -
And the Number One Answer to 'Why me, God?' is:
• 1. Let go. Let God.
Carrie & Critters
Prayers For Pets homepage prayersforpets.org
To send prayer contributions, email PrayersForPets@yahoogroups.com
To send prayer contributions, email PrayersForPets@yahoogroups.com
ALL BEINGS pay you homage, those that think and those that cannot. The universal desire, the groaning of all creation, aspires towards you. Towards you all beings that can read your universe raise a hymn of silence. The movement of the universe surges towards you. Of all beings you are the goal, you who are beyond all things. (St Gregory of Nazianen, c.330-89)
Almighty God, we (come together to) thank you for the beauty and glory of your creation; to praise you for your holiness and grace; to acknowledge our responsibility to animals and for our use of the created world. But, first of all, we ask for your forgiveness because of our part in sins of thoughtlessness and cruelty towards animals.
Almighty God, you have given us temporary lordship of your beautiful creation. But we have misused our power, turning away from responsibility and marred your image in us. Forgive us, true lord, especially for our callousness and cruelty to animals.
Help us to follow the way of your Son, Jesus Christ, who expressed power in humility and lordship in loving service. Enable us, by your Spirit, to walk in newness of life, healing injury, avoiding wrong and making peace with all your creatures. God of everlasting love, who is eternally forgiving: pardon and restore us, and make us one with you in your new creation. Amen.
Almighty God, we (come together to) thank you for the beauty and glory of your creation; to praise you for your holiness and grace; to acknowledge our responsibility to animals and for our use of the created world. But, first of all, we ask for your forgiveness because of our part in sins of thoughtlessness and cruelty towards animals.
Almighty God, you have given us temporary lordship of your beautiful creation. But we have misused our power, turning away from responsibility and marred your image in us. Forgive us, true lord, especially for our callousness and cruelty to animals.
Help us to follow the way of your Son, Jesus Christ, who expressed power in humility and lordship in loving service. Enable us, by your Spirit, to walk in newness of life, healing injury, avoiding wrong and making peace with all your creatures. God of everlasting love, who is eternally forgiving: pardon and restore us, and make us one with you in your new creation. Amen.
(Thanks to Andrew Linzey, Animal Rites: liturgies of animal care,
London: SCM Press, 1999.)
London: SCM Press, 1999.)
Go tell all the creatures in the world, the Good News that I bring;
This was the message Jesus gave, and he is Lord and King.
Let's tell it by the deeds we do; in ways they understand
Deal gently with the beasts and birds who share our Saviour's land.
Protect his forests, heal the air, care for his shining sea,
Arrest our cruelty and greed, and set its victims free.
So shall our lives proclaim the One who sent a little child
To lead all things safe home, in Him, redeemed and reconciled
To where upon his holy hill, none hurt and none destroy
And all creation's present groans are turned to songs of joy.
(Armorel Kay Walling)
This was the message Jesus gave, and he is Lord and King.
Let's tell it by the deeds we do; in ways they understand
Deal gently with the beasts and birds who share our Saviour's land.
Protect his forests, heal the air, care for his shining sea,
Arrest our cruelty and greed, and set its victims free.
So shall our lives proclaim the One who sent a little child
To lead all things safe home, in Him, redeemed and reconciled
To where upon his holy hill, none hurt and none destroy
And all creation's present groans are turned to songs of joy.
(Armorel Kay Walling)
'St Francis of Assisi, St Philip Neri, St Martin de Porres, intercede for our petitions to the Almighty Father.' #