St Francis Prayer for Animals: 18 Beautiful Pet Blessings

If you love a dog, a cat, a horse, or the birds at your feeder, you have probably wondered how to bring them before God in prayer. A st francis prayer for animals is a simple way to do that. It asks the Lord, who made every creature, to bless and protect the animals in our care, and it asks St. Francis of Assisi, the saint best known for his love of creation, to pray along with us.

Below you will find nine original prayers for real situations (a sick pet, a lost pet, surgery, adoption, and the day a pet dies), plus a guide to a simple pet blessing at home.

“The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” — Psalm 145:9 (KJV)

Table of Contents

Who Was St. Francis of Assisi?

St. Francis was born around 1181 in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy cloth merchant. He gave up his comfortable life to serve the poor and follow Jesus simply, founded the Franciscan order, and died in 1226. His feast day is October 4, and the Catholic Church names him the patron saint of animals and of ecology.

St Francis prayer for animals: Psalm 145:9 verse card — Psalm 145:9 (KJV)

Near the end of his life, Francis wrote the Canticle of the Creatures, a song praising God through “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon,” wind, water, fire, and earth. Tradition says he once preached to a flock of birds and tamed a fierce wolf at the town of Gubbio. That is why so many people search for a st francis prayer for animals today.

A word about praying to saints: Catholics who pray to St. Francis are asking him to pray for them, the way you might ask a friend at church to pray. Worship belongs to God alone. Protestant readers can pray these prayers straight to the Lord and leave out the line asking for the saint’s help.

A Short St Francis Prayer for Animals

Loving Creator, you made every creature and called it good. Bless the animals in my care and keep them safe from harm. St. Francis, pray for us, that we may treat all living things with the kindness God shows to us. Amen.

St Francis Prayers for Animals and Pets

1. Prayer of Blessing for My Pet

This st francis prayer for animals is a simple everyday blessing.

Heavenly Father, thank you for this animal you placed in my home: the happy greeting at the door and the quiet company on hard days. Bless my pet with good health, a safe home, and a long life. Help me to be patient and gentle, to care for this little one faithfully, and never to take this friendship for granted. St. Francis, you called every creature brother and sister; pray that I may love this one as God loves it. Amen.

2. Prayer for a Sick Pet

Lord, my pet is not well, and I feel helpless watching. Please ease any pain, calm any fear, and bring healing if it is your will. Guide the vet caring for my animal and help me follow their advice. Give me wisdom for hard choices, courage if the news is hard, and gratitude for every good day we still share. St. Francis, friend of the animals, pray for my pet and for me as I wait. Amen.

3. Prayer for a Lost Pet

Father, my pet is missing and my heart is heavy. You see every road and every hiding place. Keep my animal from cars, cold, and danger, and lead it toward home or into kind hands. Help the neighbors who are looking to notice and to care. Give me calm, clear thinking as I search and make calls. St. Francis, who loved even the wild wolf, pray that my lost friend is found. Amen.

Many families also pray a prayer to St. Anthony, the saint traditionally asked to help find lost things.

4. Prayer Before a Pet’s Surgery

Lord God, my pet is going into surgery today. Steady the hands of the veterinarian and the whole team. Keep my animal comfortable, guard its breathing and heartbeat, and bring a safe recovery. Quiet my worry while I wait for the phone to ring, and help me follow every care instruction in the days ahead. St. Francis, friend of every creature, pray for this little one and for me. Amen.

Prayers for New Pets, Shelters, and Caregivers

5. Prayer for a New Pet or Adoption

Thank you, Lord, for bringing this new animal into our family. Whatever came before, help this little one feel safe and settled here. Give us patience through house training, chewed shoes, and nervous nights. Bless the bond we are beginning to build, and teach our children to be gentle and responsible. May our home be a place of peace for every creature in it. St. Francis, pray for our new family member. Amen.

6. Prayer for Shelter Animals and Rescuers

Lord of all creation, I lift up the animals waiting in shelters tonight: the frightened, the injured, the old, and the overlooked. Lead each one to a loving home. Bless the rescuers, fosters, and volunteers who feed, clean, and stay up late with sick puppies and kittens. Strengthen them when they are tired and grieving, and move generous hearts to adopt and foster. St. Francis, pray for these creatures and for those who serve them. Amen.

7. Prayer for Veterinarians

Father, thank you for veterinarians, vet techs, and all who care for sick and injured animals. Give them skill, steady hands, and kind hearts. Help them speak gently to worried owners and choose wisely in hard cases. Protect them from burnout and the heavy weight of the losses they see, and give them rest. May their work reflect your care for every creature you made. St. Francis, pray for those who heal the animals. Amen.

8. Prayer for Wildlife and All Creation

Creator God, the earth is full of your works: birds in the air, fish in the sea, deer in the woods, and bees in the garden. Thank you for their beauty. Forgive us when we have been careless with your world, and help us protect the places where wild creatures live. In the spirit of St. Francis and his song to Brother Sun and Sister Moon, teach us to care for creation. Amen.

When a Pet Dies

9. Prayer When a Pet Dies

Lord, my heart is broken. The house is too quiet, and the empty bed and food bowl remind me of my friend. Thank you for the years we had together, the loyalty, the comfort, and the joy. Hold me in my sadness and do not let anyone tell me this grief is small. In time, let my tears turn into thankful memories. St. Francis, who loved God’s creatures, pray for me as I grieve. Amen.

Saying goodbye to a dog? Our prayer for dog passing may bring more comfort.

How to Hold a Simple Pet Blessing at Home

Many churches hold a Blessing of the Animals service on or near October 4, the feast of St. Francis. You can also hold a short blessing at home.

Choose a calm time. Pick a moment when your pet is relaxed, such as after a walk or a meal.
Gather the family. Let children hold the leash or sit beside the cat.
Read a short verse. Genesis 1:25 or Psalm 104:24 from the list below works well.
Lay a hand gently on your pet. If your animal dislikes touch, simply hold your hand near it.
Pray a blessing. Use the short st francis prayer for animals above or prayer 1. Thank God by name for this animal.
Make a promise. Name one way you will care better this year: more walks or a vet checkup.
End with a treat. A small treat makes it a happy memory for everyone.

Finding a Blessing of the Animals Service

Check local churches in late September. Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist churches often announce services online a few weeks ahead.
Bring safety basics. Keep dogs leashed and small animals in carriers. If your pet fears crowds, ask whether the pastor can bless a photo instead.

For more ways to pray through the season, see our October prayers and blessings.

Lord, bless every creature in my home and keep them safe today. Amen.
St. Francis, pray for my sick pet and give me patience as I wait. Amen.
Father, guide my lost pet home safely tonight. Amen.
God of all creation, thank you for the joy my animals bring. Amen.
Lord, bless the shelter animals still waiting for a family. Amen.
Steady the hands of every vet caring for a hurting animal today, Lord. Amen.
Comfort my friend who just lost a beloved pet, Lord, and hold their heart. Amen.
Make me gentle with every living thing, as St. Francis was. Amen.
Thank you, Creator, for birds in the air and the beauty of your world. Amen.

Bible Verses for Animals and Creation

Genesis 1:25 – “And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”
Psalm 104:24 – “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”
Psalm 145:9 – “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”
Proverbs 12:10 – “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
Matthew 6:26 – “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
Job 12:10 – “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”

All verses quoted from the King James Version (KJV).

FAQs About St Francis Prayer for Animals

Did St. Francis write a prayer for animals?

No specific prayer for pets by him survives. A st francis prayer for animals today is usually a newer prayer written in his spirit, like the original prayers on this page.

Is the “instrument of your peace” prayer really by St. Francis?

No. That popular prayer first appeared in print in 1912, in a French publication, almost 700 years after he died, and was later linked to his name. It fits his spirit, and many still pray it, but he did not write it.

When is the Blessing of the Animals?

Most churches hold it on or near October 4, often the closest weekend. You can also pray a st francis prayer for animals at home on any day of the year.

Can Protestants pray a St. Francis prayer for animals?

Yes. Pray each one directly to God and skip the line asking St. Francis to pray for you.

A Final St Francis Prayer for Animals

Lord of heaven and earth, you made the sparrow and the old dog asleep by the fire. Thank you for every animal that has shared our lives. As we close this st francis prayer for animals, we ask your care for them all. Bless the healthy and the sick, the found and the lost, the newly adopted and those still waiting. St. Francis, pray for us, that we may love your creation as God loves it. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏

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Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan creates faith-based and inspirational content focused on prayers, blessings, and spiritual reflections, helping readers apply timeless messages of faith to everyday life.

Every prayer and scripture reference published on Infoz Prayer is reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and appropriate context before publication. Bible and Quran verses are quoted from established translations, and articles are updated regularly to keep information accurate and helpful.