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Father’s Day is a great thing. I wrote this Father’s Day Prayer for me to speak over the Dads involved in our ministry. Note that it is intended for those who have children under 18, but it has relevancy to Father’s of any age. I wanted to bless them and, within the Father’s Day prayer, to reinforce the most important duties of fatherhood.

A Father’s Day Prayer

I pray for you Dad.
As you lead your family with strength and confidence.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
That the eyes of your understanding would be enlightened.
That you would know what is the hope of your calling and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
I pray that you would enjoy today as you spend time with your children.
I pray that you wouldn’t underestimate the importance of your voice in their lives — Your advice, your verbal affirmation and expression of your love for them.
I pray that you wouldn’t underestimate the importance of your touch in their lives — Your hugs, your reassuring hand on the shoulder, your kiss.
I pray that you wouldn’t underestimate the value of your presence — Your time, your questions, your eye contact, your focused attention on what they have to say (however trivial).
I pray that you find all provision needed to not just “survive”, but to Father excellently.
That people would say of you “He loves his kids!”
I pray that you would have the humility to admit when you miss the mark–to apologize and model what true repentance and reconciliation look like.
I pray that you would remember that your children are not yours, but God’s.
I bless you on this day to know the embrace of your Heavenly Father.
In Jesus name.
Amen.

On Father’s Day

I‘ve always liked both Father’s Day and Mother’s Day, even before I became a Father. I know that Father’s Day can be a difficult time for a lot of people because dad wasn’t around, or Dad has passed away, or Dad was/is abusive. If that’s you, my hope is that you can feel the love and embrace of God, your true Father, and that you would resolve not to repeat history with your kids.

Father’s Day is a day that reminds you to do three things for your Dad:

1. Honor your Father — Honoring your Father is very important. It’s clearly commanded by Scripture (See the 5th commandment in Exodus 20). To honor means to regard with great respect. Because you have known him for years, it’s easy to drop the honor, especially if he was absent, or abusive with you as a child. Show honor to your Father both in your actions toward him and your speech to him and about him. Remember, your children are watching how you treat him.
2. Give to your Father — As a Father you give so much to your children. Remember all that your Dad has given to you over the years. Father’s Day is a good time to think about what your Dad’s needs and wants are and give him a gift. Remember, your children are watching how you treat him.
3. Cherish your Father — The word ‘cherish’ is not commonly used in today’s vernacular, but it is a very powerful word. It’s a good word. It’s something that all people should get acquainted with. To ‘cherish’ means to protect and care for (someone) lovingly. You won’t always have your Dad in your life. Those who lost their Father early know this well. If possible, spend time with him, phone him up and ask him how he’s doing, express your thanks to him, encourage your children to spend some time with their grandad. Don’t fall into the trap of taking your Dad for granted. And remember: Your children are watching how you treat him.

Notes about the Father’s Day Prayer

I thought it would be helpful to give some notes about the prayer that I wrote for Fathers.

1. As mentioned, I wrote this Father’s Day Prayer for me to speak over the Dads involved in our ministry to youth. However, if you resonate with this prayer, then use it. It has relevancy to Father’s of any age.
2. I find it valuable to ground prayers in Scripture. You’re essentially praying God’s Word back to Him. The biblical underpinnings for this Father’s Day Prayer come from Ephesians 1:15–18 (Quoted at the bottom). Paul is writing to the believers in Ephesus and he prays this over them.
3. The prayer speaks about some things that Fathers can sometimes underestimate. Specifically, their voice, their touch and their presence. I want to speak to that for a minute. Your voice is important. So many Dad’s do not regularly say “I love you” to their child/children. This is such a simple thing, but they NEED to hear it from you. Your touch is important. A lot of Dads think that Mum should be the one to be physically affectionate beyond the little kid years. That’s not true. Teenage kids and even adults need physical affection from both Mum and Dad. Your presence is vitally improtant. But it’s not just you being in the room. You can be in the room, but not engage with your kids. When your kids are talking to you, practice active listening. Give eye contact, give non-verbal and verbal cues that you are tracking what they are saying. Respond with follow-up questions, speak back to them what they said for clarification if you didn’t quite understand.

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:15–18 KJV