Praying for pets?

Q: Is it okay to pray for your pets? 

My 15 year old was told tonight at church, while asking for prayer requests, by a believer that they would not pray for a pet, because it does not have a soul, but would pray for the person dealing with their pets issues. 

This really bothered her as she has her own dog.  

I am not sure what the correction answer is here. I have prayed for our pets when they are sick and for others who have had sick pets. I have never thought not to or to put conditions on prayer requests. Philippians 4:6 comes to mind. We are told to bring everything to God in prayer. 

Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

A: This very topic hit our family this week. My cousin asked for prayer. 

A:

The leader of the Bible study or prayer should've addressed it saying it was fine to pray for that, and that they'll discuss it with teen afterwards further, but also "with you" -with the person who said that (if it wasnt said in love and truth, as there's a right way to respond to that issue & that person needs to be counseled). 

I'll be honest here, humans have souls. Other creatures; food, work animals, wild animals, pets, whales, crabs, fish & bugs etc do not. They have a temporary purpose here, ours is eternal. See info below on that.

Yes it's fine and good to pray to ask God about needs of your pet, cuz you care about the creatures God has entrusted to you, but we must pray in His Will, and accept the outcome of any bad situations like death. 

 If He cares for the birds of the air and takes care of their needs and created every living creature, why would He not care for any animal?

God is a God of compassion. He cares about what is right and our proper concerns. 

1 Peter 5:7

Casting ALL your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

If we love our animals so much, imagine how much God loves them. Love comes from God, and He loves His precious creation even more than we do. Though he loves us more. 

Matthew 10:29

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

According to the Bible, even animals cry out to God!

Job 38:41

Who provides food for the raven,

When its young ones cry to God,

And wander about for lack of food?

Joel 1:20

The beasts of the field cry also unto Thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

Will Animals be in Heaven

Hope this helps, and gives a positive to your teen on this issue. It's good to also note that not everyone is mature in the faith having a solid grasp on Scriptute, as we all come to Christ at different ages and are at diff points in our maturity and walk in Christ, so to not hold it against the person, but be like Christ; forgiving, kind and gracious. 

God bless