3 Prayers for the Loss of a Pet

Losing a pet can cause deep feelings of grief. The bonds of love between us and our pets are strong, so when our pets pass away, we can miss them as much as we miss our human family members. If you’re grieving the loss of a pet or know someone who is, it’s helpful to pray for God’s help during the painful grieving process. A prayer for the loss of a pet can help connect you and those you love with the hope that only God can give.

Is it Okay to Pray for Our Pets?

God loves every creature he has made – including our pets. He cares about their well-being and ours. Job 12:10 points out: “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” God has the whole world in his hands. As a caring God who desires the best for all parts of his creation, God welcomes our prayers for our pets.

The Bible does not specifically mention praying for pets, but it does teach us that God cares for all of his creation. In Genesis 1:25, we read that God created all kinds of animals to live on earth and “saw that it was good”. Psalm 104 describes how God provides for and sustains all creatures, celebrating God’s faithful care for them. Some Bible verses suggest the possibility of animals being present in heaven. For example, in Revelation 19:11-14, Jesus is depicted as returning on a white horse, and in Revelation 5:13, all creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea are heard praising God. Isaiah 11:6-9 describes a time after Jesus returns, in which animals and people will live together in perfect harmony with God: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

We can feel free to pray about anything. As I write in my book Wake Up to Wonder, God has no barriers to communicating with him through prayer, so we shouldn’t have any either. We can feel free to talk to God about our pets and every other topic we want to discuss in prayer. There are no off-limits topics. God cares about everything that’s on our minds and in our hearts. He encourages us to pray about it all. So, we can pray with confidence about our pets and anything else – and trust that God will hear and answer us according to his perfect will. 

3 Prayers for the Loss of a Pet

Here are three different prayers to adapt to any situation where someone is grieving the loss of a beloved pet:

1.“God, we come to you today with heavy hearts as we mourn the loss of [pet’s name]. Thank you for the joy and companionship they brought into our lives and for the many memories we shared with them. We ask that you comfort us in our grief and bring us peace in the midst of our sorrow. Help us to remember the love our pet brought into our lives, and may we honor their memory by showing love and kindness to others. Amen.”

2.“God, you know the sorrow that fills our hearts right now as we mourn the loss of our precious pet. You blessed us through the love and companionship [pet’s name] gave us. We’re grateful for the time we had with them and for the joy they brought into our lives. Please be with us now as we grieve, bringing us comfort and strength to face each day without them. Help us to remember the joy and laughter they brought into our home, and may their memory live on in the love we share with others. Amen.”

3.“God, we ask for your comfort and strength in this time of mourning for [pet’s name]. Thank you for the gift of their presence in our lives and for the unconditional love they showed us. We ask that you be with us as we mourn their loss, and help us to remember the joy and happiness they brought into our lives. May we find peace in knowing that our pet is now in your loving care, and may we be comforted by the hope of being reunited with them one day. Help us to remember the love and loyalty they showed us, and may we carry their memory in our hearts forever. Amen.” 

5 Ways to Uplift Those Who Have Lost a Pet

Here are a few key ways to uplift those who have lost a pet:

1. Acknowledge their loss and let them know you care: The first step in uplifting someone who has lost a pet is to acknowledge their loss. Let them know that you understand how they feel and that you’re there for them. A thoughtful gesture can go a long way in uplifting someone who has lost a pet. You can send a card or a flower arrangement to let them know you care. Be sure to tell them that you’re praying for them while they’re grieving, as well.

2. Listen: Simply listening is a powerful way to express care. If the grieving people you know want to talk about their pet, be there to listen. Allow them to express their emotions without judgment. Grief is a process, and everyone experiences it differently. Be patient and allow them to grieve in their own way and time. Encourage them to connect with a professional counselor or grief support group, and point them to specific resources to consider, as well.

3. Share inspiring memories: Encourage people in mourning to share inspiring memories of their pet. Sharing stories and reminiscing about joyful times can be a great way to honor their pet’s memory. It can be especially powerful to remember the unconditional love that the pet gave them. Pets can point us to God by modeling the unconditional way that God loves us.

4. Help them commemorate their pet: There are many ways to commemorate a pet, such as creating a photo album, making a memorial stone, or planting a tree in their honor. You can help your grieving people find an inspiring way to honor their pet's memory.

5. Support their decision to adopt again: Some people may choose to adopt another pet after they’ve lost one. If the mourning people you know decide to do so, offer your support and help them find the best new pet to add to their family. 

Conclusion

Losing a pet can be a challenging experience. Animal companions are treasured parts of our families. The void left behind by a pet’s absence can be quite painful. However, God offers hope when we’re grieving the loss of a pet. God loves and cares for every creature. He welcomes our prayers for the loss of a pet – and he will answer them by sending healing.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Olezzo

Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on  X/Twitter.

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