Liturgical Prayers that regard Nature

The psalms in the Old Testament are liturgical prayers, and have been prayed by religious peoples, Jews and Christians for millennia. We Franciscans and other religious people continue to pray the psalms in what we call the Liturgy of the Hours, prayers that we say at different times of the day. A psalm is also recited or sung as part of the Liturgy of the Word during Mass. Many of the psalms give praise and thanks for the natural world in which we live, and sometimes the praise is offered by mountains, hills and rivers! St. Francis learnt much about God's relationship with His creation from reciting the psalms daily.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,

and your friends shall repeat their blessing.

Psalm 144(145), 10

Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars!

Psalm 148, 3

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150, 6

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