Thoughts

This amended prayer for animals is attributed to Dr Albert Schweitzer, whose concern for animals was paramount to his ethics and life. (He was a vegetarian.) "By respect for life," he wrote, "we become religious in a way that is elementary, profound and alive." I was familiar with the prayer for animals from long ago. It recently came to my attention again when it was used a grace before a meal (in a game reserve no less where animals are hunted) and I thought I would pass it on.

For animals who are suffering,
For any that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated,
For all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars,
For any that are hunted, lost, deserted, frightened or hungry,
For all that must be put to death,
And for those who deal with animals,
We ask a heart of compassion, gentle hands and kindly words.

04-09-2006