Day 2: June 18th 

a Prayer of Praise for Fathers

Fathers play a unique and important role in the lives of their children. As mentor, protector, and provider, a father influences the shape and direction of his child's character by giving love, care, discipline, and guidance. Good fathers commit themselves selflessly to the success and well-being of their children. Raising a child requires significant time, effort, and sacrifice; and it is one of the most hopeful and fulfilling experiences a man can ever know. A father can derive great joy from seeing his child grow from infancy to adulthood. As a child matures into independence and self reliance, the value of a parent's hard work, love, and commitment comes to fruition.

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise those fathers who have strived to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. We praise those fathers who, lacking a good Father model, have worked to become good fathers. 

We praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. We lift up those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children. 

We praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives. We praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing, unconditional love and stability. 

We praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children's love and respect. We praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart. 

We praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own. 

We praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides. 

We praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children and be present for every new accomplishment their child makes from birth to the gift of salvation. 

And Lord, we praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us. 
We ask all this in your sons name, Jesus Christ, Amen