What are you grateful for? This Thanksgiving, many of us will take time to appreciate our families, communities, and animal companions and to thank God—in whatever form our divinity takes—for giving us direction and purpose. However we may express our spirituality, all major faiths have one thing in common: They tell us to lead a life driven by compassion.
With this value in mind, award-winning director Thomas Jackson and producer, author, and podcaster Victoria Moran (one of PETA’s Sexiest Vegan Over 50 winners) have collaborated on the powerful film A Prayer for Compassion, which will be released digitally just in time for Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect film to share with family and friends in the lead-up to the holidays to inspire them to make compassionate choices when planning their festive meals.
The feature-length documentary inspires people who are interested in, or already devoted to, a religious or spiritual path to expand their circle of compassion to include all species. Thomas travels across the U.S., as well as to India and Morocco, asking leaders from Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, and many other faiths how we can make choices that demonstrate love and respect for all sentient beings an integral part of our religious practice.
PETA friend and Game of Thrones star Jerome Flynn, the film’s executive producer, said the following:
There is a searing truth at the heart of this film that, if really heard, has the power to transform the lives of millions of people and billions of suffering animals. Our treatment of animals for the global food market is one of the major horrors of our time and a chilling example of how far we have strayed from our compassionate, connected hearts—all in the name of profit, so-called progress, and our own greed.
Thomas and Victoria are also well-known friends of PETA. Both have been recognized on PETA Prime, and both have wowed the community with their compassionate values, inspiring activism, and love for all living, feeling beings. Their values help feed the spirit, getting viewers in touch with their best selves, and bring about a kinder world. If that’s not godly, what is?
The phrase “Thank God” is often thrown around lightly. This year, we really can give thanks to the divine by sharing A Prayer for Compassion with our loved ones, as well as by serving compassionate vegan foods for Thanksgiving dinner and all our holiday meals.
