Cultivating a Reverence for Life
Date Published: July 31, 2024
Publisher: BookBaby
In For Our Friends the Animals, Robert Echols delivers a stirring spiritual call to action for Christians and all people of conscience to embrace a reverence for life in its fullest form.
Blending biblical truth, compassionate prayers, and the life-affirming philosophy of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, this powerful work urges readers to see animals not as commodities—but as beloved creations of God. In Part One, Echols explores the deep moral and spiritual responsibility we hold toward all creatures. In Part Two, he presents practical steps to confront today's most pressing animal welfare issues—from factory farming to environmental degradation.
Whether you're a lifelong advocate or someone opening your heart to new possibilities, For Our Friends the Animals invites you into a faith-driven movement of empathy and transformation. Through spiritual insight and practical guidance, the book empowers readers to become stewards of compassion, protecting both creation and Creator's intention.
“This book is not just a read—it’s a spiritual pledge. A call to embody Christ’s love by caring for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Join the movement. Embrace the message. Be the change.
Our opening prayer—any opening prayer—has several purposes. Chief among those is to begin to meditate and focus on a sense of contrition in which sins are admitted and mercy for those sins is requested. Additionally, the opening prayer serves to set forth and express the theme of our entire literary effort. The prayer may be uttered in silence or recited aloud, and either way, as a community it is a means for our unified prayers of the people to be gathered or collected and offered to the Father though Jesus as we seek forgiveness ourselves and offer it to others. As Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you.” Matt.6:14.
We will employ two prayers to accomplish these tasks and goals, one known to have been written by Albert Schweitzer, and the other thought to have been written by him but without formal proof of authorship. As we pray and reflect upon these prayers, let us begin to understand and dwell on one of the chief themes of this celebration of the spirit of Jesus, of life: Namely, nurturing in us and then applying concertedly, outwardly, and liberally a merciful love for our fellow creatures. As we pray, let us experience the silent power of combined prayer, of many souls seeking enlightenment and guidance in their dealings with animals, praying for mercy and to be merciful.
There is a prayer for animals that Schweitzer composed and recited as a child. However, it is quite short and is not widely known. Here it is from Animals, Nature & Albert Schweitzer:
“O, heavenly Father, protect and bless all things that have breath; guard them from all evil, and let them sleep in peace.”
Here is the more common Prayer for Animals, which is attributed to Schweitzer, although there is a faction that holds that he was not the author. (This version is taken from the Pinterest website.)
About the Author
Robert Echols is a spiritual author, thought leader, and passionate advocate for animals and all of God’s creation. As the author of For Our Friends the Animals: Cultivating a Reverence for Life, Echols blends Christian spirituality, biblical wisdom, and the moral philosophy of Dr. Albert Schweitzer to offer a powerful message: we are called to protect and uplift all living beings.
A cancer survivor and U.S. Army veteran, Robert's life journey has been guided by service—to his country, his faith, and now, to the voiceless creatures that share our planet. He is the founder and former president of the For Our Friends the Animals Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to financially supporting animal shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries. Under his leadership, the foundation funded the construction of animal shelters in Florida, putting faith into action and making his life his argument, as Schweitzer once wrote.
Robert frequently shares his message of compassion on LinkedIn, in podcasts, and as a guest speaker throughout the Mobile Bay, Alabama area. With academic credentials from Phillips Exeter Academy, New York University, and Emory University (J.D./M.B.A.), and a past career as an ethics officer and Army JAG attorney, Robert’s voice is both seasoned and deeply principled.
His current writing project is a four-volume spiritual treatise titled For Our Friends the Animals, empowering others to embrace a universal love rooted in Christ’s teachings and a reverence for all life.
“Let my words inspire you to become a steward of the earth and a champion for animals—because the love of Jesus is not just for humanity, but for all creation.”
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