A Prayer for Fathers

Psalm 68:5–6

A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.


(Psalm 68:5–6)

Lord, You are good to give us fathers. Far too often it’s a difficult role and thankless job. Therefore, we pray that You would encourage all the men in that place today. Guard their hearts. Strengthen their resolve. Help them embrace the joy that comes with the rearing of their children.

We thank You for our own fathers. For those of us who had supportive, loving, and faithful fathers, we give You thanks. There is nothing like a good father—one who leads his family with love and grace—presenting a life of self-sacrificial love consistently to his children.

Father, we also pray today for those who haven’t a father nearby or didn’t have one like they would have wanted. We pray You would make them trusting people, to see that You are the Father of the fatherless. You’re able to take their deepest hurts and heal them. We pray You would use Your Word and Your people to help relieve some of that pain. For those who have not yet bowed their knee to the Savior, bring them to that place right now. May this be a day in which we give honor to You, God, for giving us our fathers.

In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

See also Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 4:1; 13:1; Luke 11:11-13.

Excerpted from The Prayers of Charles R. Swindoll, Volume 2, Copyright © 2012 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

Posted in Men, Parenting and tagged .

Accuracy, clarity, and practicality all describe the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. Chuck is the chairman of the board at Insight for Living and the chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary. Chuck also serves as the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, where he is able to do what he loves most—teach the Bible to willing hearts. His focus on practical Bible application has been heard on the Insight for Living radio broadcast since 1979.