Prayer for Fathers’ Day:

Gracious God,

whom Jesus invites us to think of as our father in Heaven,

We praise you for those fathers

who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children

with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice.

We praise you for those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father,

have worked to become a good father. 

We praise you for 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 praise you for those fathers

who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children. 

We praise you for those fathers who, despite divorce,

have remained in their children’s lives.

We praise you for those fathers whose children are adopted,

and whose love and support has offered healing. 

We praise you for those fathers who, as stepfathers,

freely choose the obligation of fatherhood

and earned their step children’s love and respect.

We praise you for those fathers who have lost a child to death,

and continue to hold the child in their heart. 

We praise you for those men who have no children,

but cherish the next generation as if they were their own. 

We praise you for those men who have “fathered” us

in their role as mentors and guides. 

We praise you for those men who are about to become fathers;

may they openly delight in their children. 

We praise you for those fathers who have died,

but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

Gracious God,

We pray for those whose fathers failed in their responsibilities towards them,

may this day be one in which your care supports them…

we pray for all fathers, and those who ‘father’ others;

that in their care for others, all may reflect your own faithful love and care

towards your creation and humanity…

 in Jesus Name… amen…  

Prayer for Community:

Gracious God,

you call us not only to worship and serve you,

but into community…

as we gather in different places and at different times,

in your presence unite us a community,

mindful of each other as together we offer you

our focus and time…

We pray that you will grant us

what is necessary for our well-being,

especially courage and compassion

during this time of viral infection risk!

We continue to approach you

with awe and familiarity

as Creator and sustainer God, and our Father in heaven,

especially as we pray the words offered by Jesus for us to say:

The Lord’s Prayer 
Our Father in heaven, 
Hallowed be your name, 
Your kingdom come, 
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.  

Give us this day our daily bread. 
Forgive us our sins,  
as we forgive those who sin against us. 
Save us in the time of trial  

And deliver us from evil. 
For the kingdom, 
the power and the glory are yours,  
now and for ever. 
Amen. 

Prayers of the People:

We come, gracious God,

grateful for your Word to us

through the one called to be the Apostle to the Gentiles,

which affirms to us your rock-solid commitment to us

through your reconciling activity in Jesus Christ, our Lord!

We express our praise!

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

Grant us through your Spirit

that conviction within ourselves

that no matter what the list of modern strife and troubles,

nothing removes us out of your love for us in Christ Jesus:

not cancer, not unsolvable neurological deficiencies,

no amount of arthritis in our bodies,

not failing eyesight, nor lack of hearing,

not reduced mobility, no amount of aches and pain,

no threatening virus, nor threatening ecological crisis;

Secure us in all of these, that we remain embraced in your love for us,

especially when we wonder if you are with us…

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

We come, gracious God,

grateful for the many blessings which come our way:

we thank you for the effort people make to stay in contact,

for phone call, letters, notes, cards,

emails, text messages, visits also,

invitations to do something different…

We thank you for the dedicated care

of those responsible for community and personal wellbeing:

For politicians who make unwelcome decisions,

for law enforcement officers of whatever ilk,

who keep us all within the appropriate bounds for health

whilst still enjoying social interaction,

for the health professionals and the unseen supporting workers

who care for those who are ill and even dying…

Grant all courage and strength with discernment

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

We come, God of all nations,

very mindful of how political leaders target ‘the other’

with accusations and language which attacks,

rather than seeks understanding and reconciliation;

so often we get a sense of deja-vu,

as yet again another nation

becomes the new target of disparagement and accusations

which echo old slogans and judgments levelled at others

in previous decades…

Grant us a mindfulness of our brothers and sisters in Christ

in those places, and your strength and courage to them.

Lord hear us LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

In the name of Jesus we pray AMEN