FOR SPEECHLESS THINGS

We meet O God, within this place

To supplicate Thee of Thy grace

To hear our prayers for speechless things

That move on fins and legs and wings

Our co-inhabitants on earth

Who owe, as we, to Thee their birth.

We prayer for just and humane laws

Against all acts that suffering cause;

For full acceptance in man’s mind

That it is better to be kind

And use God’s great dominion gift

The whole creation to uplift

That this poor fallen world below

May nearer heaven’s kingdom grow

And every sensate life express

Thy love, Thy care, Thy gentleness

Lord, in Thy name we meet today

Grant us these things for which we pray

(C Phillips)

PRAYER OF ST BASIL

O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, our brothers the animals to whom Thou gavest the earth as their home in common with us.

We remember with shame that in the past we have exercised the high dominion of man with ruthless cruelty so that the voice of the earth, which should have gone up to Thee in song has been a groan of travail.  May we realize that they live not for us alone, but for themselves and for Thee and that they love the sweetness of life even as we, and serve Thee better in their place than we in ours.

For those, O Lord, the humble beasts, that bear with us the burden and heat of day, and offer their guileless lives for the well-being of mankind; and for the wild creatures, whom Thou hast made wise, strong, and beautiful, we supplicate for them Thy great tenderness of heart, for Thou has promised to save both man and beast, and great is Thy loving kindness, O Master, Saviour of the world.

JOB 12:7-8

But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will instruct you; the fish of the seas, and they will declare unto you.

EZEKIEL (17:23)

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.

GO TELL ALL THE CREATURES

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 one destroy

And all Creation’s present groans are turned to songs of joy

(Armorel Kay Walling)

St Francis of Assissi, St Philip Neri, St Martin de Porres, St John Henry Newman, intercede for our petitions to the Almighty Father.