Sunday, July 27, 2008

Prayers And Grief Over Lost Pets

A dear friend emailed me today. She and her husband lost their beloved Shih Tzu last night. They are heartbroken. They realize that he was old, and it was probably time, but it still hurts. Badly. What can I say at a time like that? Is it proper to pray about someone’s pet?

Prayers for the right words have been answered for me, many a time. I have no doubt that when I pray for help in either spoken or written words, it will come. Sometimes I surprise myself, on looking back. I know I didn’t think of those words - that’s when I realize who guided me. In this case, I didn’t think about praying before I emailed a reply to my friend. Fortunately, I think I said the right things.

Lots of people wonder, though, whether it’s proper to pray about dealing with the loss of a pet. I don’t see why not. Our pets are God’s creations, even as we are. Even as the lilies of the fields, as the ant and even microbes are. We have tried to live up to the unspoken promise that we would take care of our pets when God entrusted them to our care. Occasionally, we have probably even prayed about their health.

When they leave us, they leave a void, an emptiness. It is only natural to pray for help in dealing with that loss. I honestly believe God wants us to come to him for help in any and every aspect of our lives, whenever we need his assistance. When we feel inconsolable, that is when he hopes we will come to him for consolation.

Dear Father, please fill my friends with your love and your joy in the loving care they gave their pet; help them to deal with this loss.

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