Litany of Peace for Father's Day

Litany of Peace for Father's Day*

Loving God, we lift this day our gratitude for the loving men
who have brought us the precious heart of your Father Love.
We give thanks to you this day

For those who have shown us kindness,
For those who have shown us courage,
For those who have shown us generosity,
For those who have shown us truth,
For those who have shown us compassion,
For those who have shown us faith,
For those who have shown us love.

Blessed be the name of all sons and brothers and fathers
who reveal a glimpse of your loving presence on earth.

O God, you inspire your people in the ways of kindness
that lift our world from its disgrace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
For every son, brother, father, grandfather,
who has suffered and endured.

We lift a stone from the streambed of Living Waters
to the forehead of the men and boys in our lives,
touching each forehead with the sign of your healing
for every broken heart hidden from view,
for every secret shame buried in darkness,
for every untold story of regret and alienation.

We touch with this stone the brow of every man
who has suffered for those he loved;

We touch with this stone the forehead of our ancestral fathers
who sacrificed their very lives,
inviting you to heal the wars and woes and wickedness within,
inviting your everlasting peace, that the world might know your peace.

Hear our prayer, O God, for this broken world.
We pray for peace this Father's Day.

For wisdom and equity in the hearts and minds of those who lead us.
For justice with mercy that seeks equitable access to the earth's resources.
For passion and power in our churches to influence public policy for good.
For a new day when justice will roll down like waters across this land.
For the revelation of Father Love that never leaves nor forsakes.

And we lift your hope of healing for all sons, brothers, fathers, grandfathers
who live in mystery as your creation,
who are entrusted with the life and struggles of manhood.

May they grow in Father Love to your glory.

Hear our prayer, O God, for this broken world.
We pray for peace this Father's Day.
Amen.

*Editor's note: This prayer appropriately celebrates the role of men in Christian community and exhorts men to be more like God in the ways that they approach fatherhood. Therefore, the use of masculine images for God have been intentionally retained. -- Safiyah Fosua

About the Author: The Rev. Jane Sommers is the pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

"Litany of Peace for Father's Day" Copyright 2009 Jane Sommers. All Rights Reserved. Posted with permission on the Discipleship Ministries website.