1.
Loving God, who Jesus called Father, we thank you for your fatherly love. You have made this earth a home for us, and in love you have made your home with us. You have given us life, claimed and embraced us as your children, and provided for us. You have been present for us, and sheltered us in safety and belonging. You have delighted in us, carried us in your arms, walked alongside us, and taught us. You have seen us through our hard times, wept with us in our hurts, believed in us in our challenges, and guided us in our journeys. You have showed us things, and filled us with wonder, with wisdom and courage for this life. In love you have made us one family, all of us siblings, all of us your children. In love you have given your life for us. We thank you. And we pray for all fathers, that they may share in your spirit, act with your love, and know your delight. We pray in the name of Christ, our sibling, and the power of the Holy Spirit, that makes us one family in your love. Amen.
2.
Loving God, on this day we pray for all fathers.
For fathers who have been wise and kind, we thank you;
may they know your delight in their faithfulness.
For those who struggle to be good fathers, we ask your Spirit;
may they draw upon your love to be good fathers.
For those who have failed as fathers, we ask your grace;
may the children they have hurt be healed.
We pray for all who are fathers, that they may love their children
with gentle strength, faithful presence, and calm, patient wisdom.
May all fathers imitate your love, by which you have made us
one family, each of us cherished, fed, and protected.
We pray in the spirit of Christ, our brother. Amen.
3.
Loving God, on Father’s Day we give thanks for fathers,
and pray for your spirit in them.
May they know your delight in them, and delight in their children.
May they receive your forgiveness for all their faults
and with your love forgive their children.
May they show strength, not of force but of presence.
May they provide for their children— not mere money, but safety.
May they draw upon your wisdom and your joy.
For all fathers we give you thanks, and ask your guidance,
in the spirit of Christ, our brother. Amen.
4.
Leader: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy and peace.
All: We thank you for fathers whose love has given us joy and peace.
The fruit of the Spirit is patience, kindness, and generosity.
We ask your forgiveness for fathers who have been unkind, impatient or selfish.
The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We ask your guidance for all fathers, that they may raise their children
with the gentle faithfulness you have shown them.
We praise the work of your Spirit among our fathers.
We thank you for fathers who have raised us with the fruits of your Spirit,
and pray that your Spirit may guide all who are fathers. Amen.