4 October 2025
according to the Book of Common Prayer (p. 103ff.)

Share These Prayers

Invite someone to scan this QR code to pray with you.

---

Officiant:

O God, make speed to save us.

People:

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Officiant and People

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Alleluia.

Psalm 104:1,10-15,25

Benedic, anima mea

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; *
O LORD my God, how excellent is your greatness!
you are clothed with majesty and splendor.
10 You send the springs into the valleys; *
they flow between the mountains.

11 All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them, *
and the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the air make their nests *
and sing among the branches.

13 You water the mountains from your dwelling on high; *
the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works.
14 You make grass grow for flocks and herds *
and plants to serve mankind;

15 That they may bring forth food from the earth, *
and wine to gladden our hearts,
25 O LORD, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson: Genesis 1:24-31

Lector:

A reading from the book of Genesis.

And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.’ And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’

So God created humankind in his image,

in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Lector:

The word of the Lord.

People:

Thanks be to God.

A meditation, silent or spoken, may follow.

The Officiant then begins the Prayers

BCP 356

Officiant:

Lord have mercy.

People:

Christ have mercy.

Officiant:

Lord have mercy.

Officiant and People

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.

Officiant

Lord, hear our prayer;

People

And let our cry come to you.

Officiant

Let us pray.

The Collect of the Day
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may, for love of you, delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

People:

Amen.

(Robert Runcie, 102nd Archbishop of Canterbury)

O Lord, give us humility to thank you for the creation of animals, who can show affection which sometimes puts us to shame. Enlarge our respect for these your creatures, of whom we are the guardians. And gives us a sense of responsibility towards all your creation, for Jesus Christ’s sake.

People:

Amen.

The service concludes as follows

Officiant:

Let us bless the Lord.

People:

Thanks be to God.

Animals may be blessed at this time with the following or similar prayer:

Bless O God, this your creature, and all who love them and are involved in their care and protection.