From childhood, I felt a compassion for animals. Even before I started
school, I found it impossible to understand why, in my evening prayers,
I should pray only for human beings. Consequently, after my mother
had prayed with me and had given me a good-night kiss, I secretly
recited another prayer, one I had composed myself. It went like this:
Dear God, protect and bless all living beings.
Keep them from evil and let them sleep in peace.
school, I found it impossible to understand why, in my evening prayers,
I should pray only for human beings. Consequently, after my mother
had prayed with me and had given me a good-night kiss, I secretly
recited another prayer, one I had composed myself. It went like this:
Dear God, protect and bless all living beings.
Keep them from evil and let them sleep in peace.
origins of reverence for life - dr. albert schweitzer - 1964
In May, 1964, The Courier reprinted from the World Book Yearbook "Albert Schweitzer Speaks Out," a stirring report in which he writes movingly of his concern for life and its future on this earth. He wrote of the origin of "Reverence for Life" which is the basis for his most important book, "The Philosophy of Civilization." The above excerpts are from this report, which are more relevant today than when this article was written by Dr. Schweitzer. Edited by Lawrence Gussman.
www.worldprayers.org