Prayer Partners Prayer

We are blessing
every creature
great and small,
that lives in and around
the Gulf of Mexico.


Brown pelicans flying in formation
Cozee Smith



Great Blue Heron
Cozee Smith



White Pelicans
Cozee Smith
 

Green Heron
Cozee Smith



Ospreys building a large nest 
Chaplain Gayle Lawrence



Yellow-crowned night heron chicks 
wait for mama to bring breakfast
home to the nest 
Cozee Smith



Seagulls take flight
Chaplain Gayle Lawrence



Black Skimmers in flight 
Ft. DeSoto Beach, FL
Cozee Smith



Osprey in flight
Chaplain Anne Dyer



Woodstork stirs up the
bottom looking for minnows
Cozee Smith



Sandpipers at Ft. DeSoto Beach, FL
Cozee Smith

Roseate Spoonbill searches
for more shrimp to eat, which make 
her feathers bright pink
Cozee Smith



White Ibis
Cozee Smith




 Osprey brings home
a fish for dinner
Chaplain Anne Dyer



Prayer Partner's Prayer

God, Bless all the
Seabirds of the Gulf of Mexico
and all those who come
in contact with them.
Bless and cleanse
the Gulf waters
and provide protection
for every creature that
lives in and around the ocean.

Thank you for 
watching over these waterbirds
as they go about
their daily activities
in and around the sea.
We know that
because you created them,
 they are always in your
loving care and
are safe at all times.

 Thank you, God
for protecting them
 as they prepare their
nests and lay their eggs.
Bless the little hatchlings
as they peck their way
out of their shells
and grow strong
and healthy, learning how
to fly and hunt for food. 
We know you are providing
them with all the 
nourishment they need.
 
Let every one of your birds
feel how much we admire
their ability
to live on this earth ...
and raise themselves up
in the blink of an eye,
gliding above earthly things, 
to float across the sky,
free and unbounded. 

Show us God,
how to be as free and
unlimited within ourselves
as your birds are. 
Help us learn from them
 that we too can be
grounded on this earth
when we need to be ...
yet knowing that we
also have the ability
while we're in this life
to raise our thoughts
 above worldly things,
soaring higher and higher
out of the noise in our head
and into the stillness
of our heart ...
closer to you, God ...
 uplifted in gratitude,
giving thanks
for the peace and comfort
we find
 in your ever-present Love.

Amen





Swallow-tail kite



Cormorants on a seawall
Chaplain Anne Dyer



Bald Eagle sitting on a rock
Chaplain Gayle Lawrence