The United States celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June each year.  It is an annual salute to fatherhood and one sorely needed as fathers have, in recent years, been denigrated and often seen as unnecessary to a healthy family life.  

I have always taken my role as a father seriously.  Throughout my life, I have read numerous books on being a good dad.  I have watched older men and tried to model myself after those I saw as successful dads.  Even now, as an aging grandfather, I pursue learning how to be a father to adult children and a grandfather to a growing number of delightful grandchildren.  Which is why, when I came across an email recently offering a prayer for the fathers of the world, I was inspired to create a prayer of my own.  A prayer reflecting my heart’s desire.

A Father’s Prayer

Help Me, Lord!

I am a father, a dad to my children, and a Poppy to my grandchildren.  And, on this Father’s Day 2026, I find myself 75 years old and still in need of Your grace.

Thank you, Lord, for the sacred gift of Fatherhood.  It has been the joy of my life.

Forgive me for my past failures to provide a tangible reflection of Your character in my daily actions.

May I continue, even in my senior years, to cherish the sacred honor of fatherhood and humbly embrace this calling to reflect the godly character of my heavenly Father.

Help me, Lord, even now, to model fatherhood to my children.  May I be an example of righteousness, prayerfulness, faithfulness, obedience, strength, forgiveness, with a heart that is slow to anger.

May the joy I exude reflect the peace and joy that only comes from You.

May I be a cheerleader to my children and encourage them to walk in Your ways.

May I seek Your Face with all my heart. I need your guidance and direction.

May the Holy Spirit constantly remind me of Your quiet presence that will never leave me or forsake me.

Help me, Lord, to always trust in You with all my heart, to lean not unto my own understanding but in all ways acknowledge You so that You will direct my path.

In Jesus Name,

A humble dad,

Amen.