Today we pray for fathers

We give our thanks, Father God, for YOU – incredible love personified, for our own fathers and the father figures in our lives.

Lord Jesus, we pray that You bless all the fathers, spiritual fathers and father figures in this world. We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed.

We remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families and we thank You for the father figures who made up for the absence of a dad – family friends, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors, priests, coaches and mentors.

For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.

Guide them to become good role models and the epitomes of love, hard work, integrity, dedication and honesty to their families. Let them truly know that the greatest they can do for their own children is to honour You and to love their mothers.

Help each one of them become a father role-modelled after You. Let each one of them become a father like You are.

Show them that great fathers love, respect and fiercely protect their own. May they fight for and defend the the vulnerable in the family, community and church.

Give them Your grace and patience to handle life Your loving way.

Today, we ask You to bless our earthly fathers for the many times they reflected the love, strength, generosity, wisdom and mercy that You exemplify in Your relationship with us, Your children.

Bless my own father, today and always.

In Your Holy name, O God, we pray. Amen.