Anxiety and stress follow the realization that your pet is lost no matter your faith. But there are many ways to calm that stress through prayers, blessings, chants, songs, and mantras. Jump ahead or scroll below for comforting words to help bring your lost pet back home.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Prayers for Lost Dogs
- Prayers for Lost Cats
- Prayers for Other Lost Animals
- Catholic Prayers for Lost Pets
As a pet parent, you try to do everything you can to take care of your little ones. (And sometimes big ones!) That's why losing can feel like ten different emotions at once. So, look for resources to find calm and let your head guide your heart.
Prayers for Lost Dogs
For some, losing a dog is like losing a child. That means the loss can be upsetting, if not life-altering. Scan through a few of these to find one you can recite or send to your friend to help.
1. “Great Spirit Prayer” from Lakota Sioux, Native American
The "Great Spirit Prayer" doesn't specifically reference your lost dog, but it does ask the Great Spirit for strength, wisdom, and calm in times of struggle. The following is just one excerpt from a prayer that Chief Yellow Lark translated in 1887.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
2. “Blessing for Dogs” from Judaism
Dogs are often not included in the Shabbat rituals. But for those who are trending towards this inclusion, here's a short blessing for your canine companion.
May God make you like Caleb, the loyal one (Yesimcha Elohim kekalev ha-ne’eman).
3. “Loving Discipline and Knowledge” from Judaism
Proverbs 12 is educational regarding many aspects of life. But verse 12 dials into the link of humans with animals.
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
4. “Gold Cord Meditation” From Reiki
The golden cord is a meditation tool that you can use to signal your whereabouts to a lost animal. The intention is to calm you so that you can open communication with your cat and guide them to safety—or home.
While Reiki itself is not a religion, it plays a spiritual role in the communion of Shintoism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Many practitioners of Reiki are also followers of the populated faiths globally.
5. “The Mighty One Calls” from Protestantism
Psalm 50 is interesting because it invokes the three names of God to include Elohim and Jehovah. That meaning directly resonates with Jehovah's Witness followers, other various denominations of Christianity and Judaism.
The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from where the sun rises to where it sets.
Prayers for Lost Cats
When a housecat escapes it can be terrifying. And although they generally have little experience with the outdoors, they also have amazing instincts.
6. “Surah Anfal Ayat 46” from Islam
Surah Al-Anfal reassured the Muslims that God was present. He said, “And be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are the patient.” Because of this, one would recite the following Dua to find calm and inner optimism.
We indeed belong to ALLAH, and we indeed toward Him are returning.
7. “Blessing for Cats” from Judaism
The inclusion of pets in the Sabbath's blessings is a growing trend but has yet to be adopted universally within Judaism. Until then, here's one you can offer for your little meowser in hopes that they return healthy and safe.
May God make you like the lion of Judah (Yesimcha Elohim keyehudah ha-aryeh).
8. “Prayer of the Seven Directions” from Seneca-Iroquois, Native American
Hobday applied the wisdom and teachings of her ancestry to help others. Here, she guides the reader in self-prayer to discover reverence for Mother Earth in each direction, as well as downward and inward. It’s useful for understanding the purpose of life's challenges.
Begin facing EAST- This is where the sun comes up, and so the direction of new beginnings, hope, promise, and potential. Pray that you may be open to receiving these gifts this day.
9. “A Chinook Prayer” from Chinook, PNW Native American
Panic can ensue when your little one is missing, so it's essential to find a place to center oneself and find calm so that you can think more clearly about the next steps to pursue when searching for your cat.
May all I say and all I think
be in harmony with thee,
God within me,
God beyond me,
Maker of the trees.
10. “A Paean Praise for Animals” from Jehovah’s Witnesses
Psalms 67:24-25, 27-28, 30-31 from the Hebrew Scriptures offer honest insight and prayer for animals and all other life on Earth.
It's useful if you're trying to remain hopeful that your little one will return home safely or if you're seeking how to wish a loved one good luck throughout their search.
Prayers for Other Lost Animals
From rabbits to birds, or horses to sheep, we all find different animals' affinities, whether they're the traditional pet or not.
11. Hosea 2:20 from Judaism
Hosea 2:20 recognizes that the creatures of this Earth are God’s creatures and that they deserve mercy, goodness, and peace.
In that day, I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; I will also banish bow, sword, and war from the land. Thus I will let them lie down in safety.
12. “Albert Schweitzer’s Offering” from Christianity
Schweitzer was a Christian medical missionary most notably appreciated for his social responsibility against a backdrop of spirituality. And he, like many others, found proper reverence for all animals.
We entreat for them all
your mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves,
to be true friends to animals
and so to share the blessings of the Merciful.
13. “It is Good to Sing Praises” from Lutheranism
For a prayer that echoes the value of animals and the goodness or power of God, check out Psalm 147. Each line reflects the many things for which to be grateful, even that of the oft-misunderstood raven.
He provides food for the animals and the young ravens when they call.
14. “For a Missing Pet” from Judaism
Alden Solovy’s poem for a missing pet speaks to how you may be feeling right now. He hones in on the need to have them home quickly so that you can keep them safe, healthy, and warm.
He also takes care to mention gratitude for those that may be helping your pet return uninjured.
Catholic Prayers for Lost Pets
In the Catholic religion, you can directly communicate with God to invoke help or ask for support from saints and other important figures. Catholicism also warmly embraces an afterlife, so consider these prayers for dying pets if you fear the worst.
15. “A Pet Blessing” from Catholicism
Although you’re sick with worry for your little one, read through this prayer from The Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation. Perhaps it will bring you some strength. We’ve found a short passage for you to check out:
Dearest God, Heavenly Father, maker of all living creatures, we ask you to bless (name of pet), who brings so much joy into our lives.
16. “Prayer for Lost Pet” from Catholicism
The “Prayer for Lost Pet” invokes St. Francis and St. Anthony of Padua while asking for safety and protection for your little one. Here’s a short selection from that prayer:
We therefore ask you to help us find our lost companion and pray that You will keep him (her) safe and protect him (her) from harm until he (she) is found.
17. “A Prayer for Our Pets” from Catholicism
Effective prayers for pets may be rooted in firm beliefs about their role in our lives. For instance, your pet likely has a special meaning to you, one that's embedded in friendship or comfort. Both service and other support animals often fill this role well.
Protect our pets, your creatures, who provide us with joy and nonjudgmental companionship.
18. “The Canticle of the Creatures” from Catholicism
St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian friar and deacon, but he was also a poet and patron of both animals and the environment.
In the "Canticle of Creatures," St. Francis mentions the sun, moon, stars, wind, water, fire, and Mother Earth, but he doesn't mention any particular animal. However, you can still infer that he means everything above, below, and within these parameters deserves love and protection.
19. “Prayer to St. Anthony for Lost Pet” from Catholicism
One commonly prays to St. Anthony when something precious is lost. Some even choose to make him the focus of a Novena, which means that they pray to him for nine consecutive days or once per hour for nine hours.
Here’s an excerpt from a prayer you might recite during that time:
Help me to find the beloved pet I have lost so that I will be able to make better use of the time that I will gain for God's greater honor and glory.
Praying for a Safe Return
If you’re a friend having difficulty finding what to say when someone loses a pet, find some community with them via the prayers and meditations above. No matter what religious vehicle you choose, the common denominator is the support for the life of a sentient being in need.
Sources:
- Cherney, Elyssa. “Shabbat rituals NOAH: Blessing the animals.” Tackling Torah. 2 November 2016. www.tacklingtorah.com/new-blog/2016/10/21/shabbat-rituals-noah-blessing-the-animals
- Hobday, Jose. “Prayer of the Seven Directions.” Jesuit Resource. Providing Resources in Jesuit Education and Ignatian Spirituality., n.d., www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/native-american
- Hostetler, Bob. “5 prayers and blessings for animals and pets.” Guideposts, 1 October 2018, www.guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/prayer-stories/power-of-prayer/5-prayers-and-blessings-for-animals-and-pets
- “Native American Prayers.” Jesuit Resource. Providing Resources in Jesuit Education and Ignatian Spirituality., n.d., www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/native-american
- Prayers. “Prayers for Animals from the Christian and Catholic Tradition.” Catholic Concern for Animals. 19 May 2020. www.catholic-animals.com/prayers/