Cesar Chavez Day was Friday. This week let’s remember him not only as the founder of United Farm Workers but also as a passionate voice for animals. Influenced by St. Francis and Gandhi, he believed in nonviolent action. In working for economic and social justice, civil rights, animal rights, and peace, he showed how they are all connected and that one cannot be achieved without the others. He was vegan for nearly 25 years and spoke often to his social justice groups about the importance of compassion for all life. In Defense of Animals gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992. In his acceptance speech, Chávez proclaimed, “We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to make all people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect them and love them as we love ourselves. And that’s the basis for peace. . . We cannot hope to have peace until we respect everyone; respect ourselves and respect animals and all living things…We know we cannot defend and be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them: exploiting them in the name of science, exploiting animals in the name of sport, exploiting animals in the name of fashion, and yes, exploiting animals in the name of food.”

Prayers of Gratitude this week for Cesar and for animal activists everywhere: We give thanks for Cesar Chavez and the many courageous people who have worked for animal liberation and shown the world that humanity’s longing for peace will only be fulfilled when we stop violence toward all life. Their passion and vision fills us with strength and hope for this work. Divine Love lives in every heart, and because of that, we know that one day all beings will be free and happy and at peace. As we breathe deeply and really feel the support and strength and courage of Chavez and all those who have gone before us, we sense in our hearts the joy that is coming. And we send this shared feeling, this vision, and this divine and unconditional love that is flowing through us out to all animals everywhere.

As always, I send my thanks to each of you, dear Prayer Circle members, for

May Divine Wisdom, the animals’ grace, and our true hearts guide us toward ahimsa, peace, liberation, and lovingkindness for all. As always, I send my thanks to each of you, dear Prayer Circle members, for joining this circle of compassion and shining the Light of Truth for all to see, so that one day soon, all beings will live in peace together.

May compassion and love reign over all the earth for all beings everywhere.

Thank you all for your devotion to truth, love, liberation and peace for all beings.

With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy Carman, and greetings from Will, Madeleine, Tara and the Circle of Compassion team

PLEASE SHARE THIS WEEKLY PRAYER BY GOING TO Prayer Circle for Animals Facebook page. www.facebook.com/groups/prayercircleforanimals. You can also share ideas and prayer requests there.

To support our work and help us expand this ministry, please go to circleofcompassion.org/donations.html

Please visit the website www.circleofcompassion.org often to sign up to receive these weekly prayers, to join in our “A prayer a day for animals” which features a prayer for a different group of animals each day of the week, and to join us in the Daily Noon Prayer.