We invoke the prayer at the beginning of every meeting and event. The prayer was written by Cesar Chavez, and it represents our collective values, beliefs, and vision for a better world. This ritual is important in that it reiterates our purpose for the action at hand. It gives us strength to focus on the issue at hand and effectively ties the present to both the past and the future of the movement.
Prayer
Show me the suffering of the most miserable; So I will know my people’s plight.
Free me to pray for others; For you are present in every person.
Help me take responsibility for my own life; So that I can be free at last.
Grant me courage to serve others; For in service there is true life.
Give me honesty and patience; So that I can work with other workers.
Bring forth song and celebration; So that the Spirit will be alive among us.
Let the Spirit flourish and grow; So that we will never tire of the struggle.
Let us remember those who have died for justice; For they have given us life.
Help us love even those who hate us; So we can change the world.