Leadership Study Day Father’s Day Prayer

1.  Our Father who art in heaven,

bless the fathers who are on earth:

those who work hard every day

to light a path and show the way;

those who forget and don’t perceive

the devastation when they leave.

2.  Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy Kingdom come;

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Help the earthly fathers know

and praise Your name in daily flow,

making no difference between

the holy realm and worldly scene.

3.  Give us this day our daily bread.

And for the dads without a job,

strengthen their faith in Provider God.

Feed them with the bread of love,

the wine of justice,

the meat of determination,

the fruit of the spirit;

that they will remember how Jesus

gave Himself for us,

demonstrating that there

are many ways for a MAN TO GIVE.

4.  And forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

Teach our men the ways of peace,

desiring that all violence shall cease.

Whether husband/wife, parents/children,

black on black, nation to nation,

neither tongue, hand, gun, knife,

no shock and awe, no fiery towers…

Help humanity learn HOW TO FORGIVE.

5.  And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Guide all daddies to be wise.

Give them strength of soul to seek the prize

of a world without racism or greed,

a world where no child is left in need,

a world where cheaters cannot win,

salvation reigns, there is no sin.

For Thine is the Kingdom, the power,

and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

6.  Let us pray for those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice.  Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to  become a good father.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

7.  Let us pray for those fathers who, by their own account, were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support.  Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

8.  Let us pray for those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children’s lives.  Let us pray for fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

10.  Let us pray for those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely chose the obligation

of fatherhood and earned their stepchildren’s love and respect.  Let us pray for those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their hearts.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

11.  Let us pray for those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

12.  Let us pray for those men who have “fathered” us in their role as mentors and guides.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

13.  Let us pray for those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

14.  And let us pray for those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

Response:  Loving God, Hear Our Prayer

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, we give thanks for fathers.

We recognize the dedication and patience

it takes to be a source of compassion

and understanding when helping to

shape a young life.

Bless all fathers, especially those

who are new in this sacred role.

We pray they feel Your presence with them.

May they know that Your strength

and wisdom are within them,

providing all they need to guide

and support their children

with kindness and love.

Amen!