THE BLESSING OF WILDERNESS. I have been blessed recently to be able to spend some time near the ocean--seeing whales breaching, sea otters tenderly caring for their babies, and sea gulls gleefully bathing in the fresh water creeks filled by the recent abundant rains. A special song has been on my mind during these past few days, and I hear it as a prayer. John Denver wrote and performed this song years ago. He was very active in working to end world hunger, and he also loved the wilderness. This song/prayer of his gives voice not only to hungry children, but also to animals who suffer because of human greed and exploitation. I would like to offer it as our prayer for the week. There are many youtube versions if you want to hear the words put to music.

I WANT TO LIVE

“There are children raised in sorrow on a scorched and barren plain.

There are children raised beneath the golden sun.

There are children of the water and children of the sand,

And they cry out through the universe, their voices raised as one.

“I want to live. I want to grow. I want to see. I want to know

I want to share what I can give. I want to be. I want to live.

“Have you gazed out on the ocean, seen the breaching of a whale?

Have you watched the dolphins frolic in the foam?

Have you heard the song the humpback hears five hundred miles away,

Telling tales of ancient history, of passages and home?

“I want to live. I want to grow. I want to see. I want to know.

I want to share what I can give. I want to be. I want to live.

“We are standing all together, face to face and arm in arm.

We are standing on the threshold of a dream--

No more hunger, no more killing, no more wasting life away.

It is simply an idea, and I know its time has come.”

WE KNOW ITS TIME HAS COME. It is because of all of you and activists around the world. It is because love is more powerful than hate, fear and greed. Because you won’t be silent, the animals have a voice. We are standing on the threshold of this radical, revolutionary dream, and you have helped bring us here. May there be “no more hunger, no more killing, no more wasting life away.” May we walk together with all beings across the threshold and bring this dream home at last.

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.

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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.