Father's Day Prayer

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, Amen.

The Rev. Marilyn E. Thornton is the Lead Editor for African American Resources at The United Methodist Publishing House, and she pastors the Emery United Methodist Church of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Father's Day Prayer: A 21st Century Africana Worship Resource Copyright 2009 Marilyn E. Thornton. All Rights Reserved. Posted with permission on the Discipleship Ministries Worship website.