How A Powerful Prayer For Pet Loss Is Helping To Heal My Heart
Losing a pet isn’t just about the death of an animal; it’s about saying farewell to a beloved pet who brought immense joy into your daily life. When the silence left by their absence becomes overwhelming, many of us turn to prayer for pet loss for solace.
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Among the wealth of resources available, the book ‘Every Moment Holy’ by Douglas Kaine McKelvey includes a treasure trove of comfort. Volume I features ‘A Liturgy for the Loss of a Living Thing’ among various prayers for many moments of life.
This prayer was a heartfelt gift from my friend and neighbor, Marie, who, still grieving a year after losing her dog, knew its comforting power and shared it with me in my time of need.
This liturgy provided a framework for grieving the loss of my beloved pet Stormy and not only offered comfort but was a powerful guide through my darkest moments, giving me peace and a deep understanding of my grief.
Detailed Exploration of the Prayer for Pet Loss: “Loss of a Living Thing”
In the depths of grief, where words often fail, this prayer offers deep comfort and spiritual solace to those mourning a pet’s death.
It guides the bereaved through reflective pauses and communal acknowledgments, recognizing the pet as a special animal, cherished and lovingly created by a compassionate Heavenly Father.
As I look deeper into the prayer, some specific phrases capture our shared experiences and emotions during such tender times.
The prayer begins with a powerful sentence affirming the valued existence and individuality of the pet:
“Here was your good creature, and here were the spaces and the days we shared, enjoying the glad company and cheerful fellowship”
- This line acknowledges the everyday moments shared with a pet, reflecting the joy and companionship they brought into our lives.
- It evokes memories of shared spaces—perhaps a favorite corner where your pet slept or the path you walked together—highlighting the physical and emotional void their absence leaves.
“We made room in our lives, room in our home, room in our hearts, to welcome your unique creation. And we gave your good creature the name _____ “
- Personalizing grief, this phrase touches on the act of opening our homes and hearts to a pet, making them an integral part of our family.
- It underscores the significance of naming a pet, a symbolic act of acceptance and the start of a profound bond.
“Our hearts are unprepared for such loss, and we are deeply grieved.”
- This sentence captures the sudden and overwhelming nature of grief that pet loss can bring, highlighting the emotional unpreparedness many feel.
- It validates the depth of sorrow felt, acknowledging that grief for a pet is as real and intense as grief for a human loved one.
“Even so, Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the life that was, for the gift of a living thing so easily loved . . .”
- Here, the prayer shifts focus from grief to gratitude, encouraging mourners to remember the joy and love their pet brought into their lives.
- It suggests that while the pain of loss is sharp, the memories and love shared offer a counterbalance of gratitude.
“We are grateful, . . . for the happiness that was . . . even as we sit in the sadness of now empty spaces in heart and home, empty spaces that echo our loss.”
- This phrase explores the duality of experiencing happiness in memories while confronting the emptiness that follows a pet’s departure.
- It highlights the physical and emotional gaps left behind, which can resonate deeply as mourners adjust to their new reality.
“O Lord, how long till all is made right?. . .”
- Expressing a yearning for healing and understanding, this question reflects the spiritual and existential questioning often provoked by grief.
- It taps into the desire for closure and for the pain to be healed, which can be a crucial part of the mourning process.
“Comfort us . . . O Lord, for the ache of these days is real.”
- Directly addressing the need for comfort, this plea acknowledges the raw, real pain that comes with losing a pet.
- It seeks divine reassurance, reflecting the common need for external support when our resources are depleted by grief.
This prayer became the voice for the unspoken prayers in my heart, articulating the words I could not find during the profound loss of Stormy.
It allowed me to honor the loss with the dignity and grace it deserved, reflecting on the deep companionship and joy my pet brought into my life.
Through these sacred words, I could acknowledge how intricately my beloved companion was woven into the very fabric of my being, and confront the echoing emptiness left in Stormy’s absence.
For insights on how to utilize children’s prayers for pet loss, you can visit: Gospel Hope When Your Kids Lose a Pet.
Personal Impact of the Prayer
This prayer became a sanctuary for me, a beacon during my time of mourning. Though my heart felt broken, I found comfort in reflecting on my beloved girl.
I was deeply grieved yet grateful for the sheer joy and unconditional love she brought into my life.
We are deeply grieved… yet grateful for the life that was, for the gift of a living thing so easily loved,”
That line (and so many more) became my anchor, helping me cherish the memories with Stormy and balance the pain of loss with gratitude.
The prayer spoke to my grief and guided me to celebrate Stormy’s life. Its words balanced my pain with gratitude, acknowledging the bonds we shared and offering comfort through collective compassion.
It reminded me that grace flows even in the darkest moments, and it helped me find peace in knowing that Stormy’s relationship still lives on in my heart and memories.
This guided me on my journey toward acceptance and healing.
How to Use This Prayer in Mourning
I found that using a prayer for pet loss can be very healing. I often take a few quiet moments each day to reflect and remember her.
Finding a special place where we spent time together helps bring a sense of peace and solace.
In addition, I read this poem out loud during her burial and it truly offered support and hope.
It would bring people together during a memorial service, helping everyone grieve as a community. Each person saying “amen” afterward would provide such a feeling of unity and comfort.
Whether it’s during a farewell or quiet moment, this prayer helps others cope with loss and brings grace.
Overview of “Every Moment Holy” Series by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
“Every Moment Holy” Book Series
This table provides a quick overview of each volume, highlighting their themes, release years, notable prayers, and available editions, making it easy for you to navigate through the series and discover the volume that best meets your needs.
| Volume | Title | Themes | Release Year | Highlights | Available Editions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | New Liturgies for Daily Life | Daily activities and ordinary events | 2017 | Includes prayers such as “A Liturgy for Feasting with Friends,” “A Liturgy for Laundering,” and “A Liturgy for the Loss of a Living Thing“ | Hardcover, Pocket Flexi-cover, Padded Hardcover |
| II | Death, Grief, and Hope | Seasons of dying, grief, and hope | 2021 | Features prayers for difficult times such as “A Liturgy for the Scattering of Ashes,” “A Liturgy for the Loss of a Spouse,” and “A Liturgy for the Wake of a National Tragedy.” | Hardcover, Pocket Flexi-cover |
| III | The Work of the People | Community and daily life | 2023 | Over 100 new liturgies contributed by various writers, artists, and pastors. Includes prayers by Malcolm Guite, Ellie Holcomb, and Philip Yancey. | Hardcover |
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Includes Featured Prayer
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Background on “Every Moment Holy”
Douglas Kaine McKelvey wrote the Every Moment Holy series to bring a sense of the sacred into ordinary, daily moments.
His inspiration came from friends who introduced him to works like The Book of Common Prayer, which provided him comfort during difficult times.
After writing a liturgy for fiction writers and sharing it with his friend Andrew Peterson, he was encouraged to create more prayers for everyday tasks.
This sparked the idea for a collection that would help people recognize the divine presence in even the most mundane activities.
Influenced by historical liturgies and figures like St. Francis of Assisi, McKelvey crafted these prayers to remind us that every moment holds sacred significance.
My Final Thoughts
As I reflect on the loss of my beloved pet, Stormy, the death of a pet emerges not just as a heartbreaking event but as a journey through which profound healing can be found.
The prayer “Loss of a Living Thing” from “Every Moment Holy – Volume 1” by Douglas McKelvey was more than a nice prayer for pet loss; it was a prayer request fulfilled, offering solace and a deep connection to my grief.
In the grieving process, these words were a reminder of the loving care bestowed upon us by the Lord our God, who comforts the brokenhearted and is crushed in spirit with us.
This prayer lifted my heavy heart each day in sadness, providing comfort in knowing that the affection and caring I shared with Stormy was a testament to the trust in us that all creatures, great and small, place in their human friends.
For those enduring the loss of a beloved pet, whether it’s a fur baby like a cat, a loyal dog, a hamster, a horse, a bird, or any other of God’s creatures, I hope we all remember to cherish the time we had with them as a precious gift from God.
Our lives are truly richer for the moments we shared, and in our grief, may we find comfort in the beautiful memories and the love that remains in our hearts.
Prayer For Today
Dear Lord,
In the quiet moments of reflection, we thank You for the precious time we were granted with our cherished pets. As we hold onto the love that fills our hearts, help us to share this warmth and affection with others around us. Bless us with the heart to keep loving, and when we’re ready, to welcome another furry friend into our lives.
In your holy name, we pray,
Amen.
Scribble of the Day: Pet Grief Quote
If you’ve found comfort in this or any other prayer during times of pet loss, please share your story. Your experiences can offer great comfort to others navigating similar paths of grief.
Your insights are invaluable as we build a community of support and understanding, helping each other honor the loss and celebrate the life of our animal companions.
