God,
We today pray for Fathers near and far.
We pray for Fathers alive and Fathers who are dead.
We pray for Fathers who were present with their children and those who were absent.
We pray for new Fathers and old Fathers.
We pray for those who loved well and those who did not love as well.
We pray for Fathers who play(ed) with their children and those who don’t.
We pray for those who take their fathering seriously and those who don’t.
We pray for biological dads and dads who raised us.
We pray for those who don’t get to be dads at all.
We pray for Fathers who were let down by their dads,
We pray for Fathers who were not loved by their fathers.
We pray for Fathers who missed out on the presence of fathers.
We pray for fathers whose fathers did not play with them.
We pray for Fathers who may be caught up in this recession and lost their jobs.
We pray for Fathers who serve in the military in far away places and lands.
We pray for Fathers who may be trapped by addictions.
We pray for Fathers who are serving in prison away from their children.
We pray for Fathers who are all wrapped up in their work too busy for their children.
We pray for our fathers.
We pray for them to have strength, wisdom and courage.
We pray for them to raise their children in the way that they should go.
We pray for them to love, laugh, play and live.
We pray for forgiveness for our fathers, for their shortcomings, their weaknesses, and their abuses.
And God we pray that we may then be able to pray to you Abba Daddy.
Amen
cross posted at revgalprayerpals and revabi's long and winding road
Amen.
ReplyDeleteoh thank you! just what I was hoping for!
ReplyDeleteYeah, me too. This is just what I was looking for. Thanks RevAbi.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Abi! I'm using this today at prison, where so many who will be at chapel today are struggling with their brokenness from abusive family relationships--those with no father, a bad father, and those who have been the absent or abusive father. Talking about what it means to call God ABBA, so this will fit beautifully. Posting a slightly edited verson to my own blog today.
ReplyDeletePerfect!! Just what I needed this morning.
ReplyDelete