Father's Day prayer

Lord, today we thank you for fathers.

For those who worked in silence so that nothing would be lacking. For those who taught by example more than by words. For those who made mistakes and apologized. For grandfathers, stepfathers, uncles and mentors who were fathers to those who needed one.

Thank you for showing us, through them, a little of who you are: a Father who has compassion on his children, who corrects without destroying, who waits on the road for the son who came back.

Bless fathers today. Give them health to keep going, wisdom to guide and humility to listen. Take from them the weight of having to be perfect. Bring back those who have drifted from their children and heal what was wounded.

Remember those who grew up without a father, those who lost their father and those who have a father who is hard to love. You are the Father of the fatherless. Fill what was missing.

A righteous man walks in integrity, and blessed are his children after him. Thank you, Lord, for fathers. Amen.