a litany for father's day

On this day when we remember fathers, let us offer our prayers to God, who has adopted us as sons and daughters through the waters of baptism.

O God, you formed your son Adam from the dust of the ground, and breathed your holy breath into his lungs, giving us all the gift of life; breathe again your Life into, us, your children and your Church, that we might be one with you. Lord in your mercy,

Hear our Prayer.

Lord of all, you formed great nations out of great families, and blessed the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that they might be a blessing to all. Bless our nation, and all the nations of the world, with your Fatherly Presence, wisdom, and peace. Lord in your mercy,

Hear our Prayer.

As the children of Israel found themselves slaves, making bricks for Pharaoh, before your heard their cry and brought them to freedom we pray for all in this world who are in trouble of any kind. We pray for the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned, and the victims of war and all who live in terror’s wake. Lord in your mercy,

Hear our Prayer.

Your Son, Jesus, was raised by Joseph the carpenter, who saw him grow year by year in strength and wisdom. We pray for all in our family of faith, and especially those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this week  . . . Lord in your mercy,

Hear our Prayer.

Your Son, Jesus, neither married nor raised children of his own, but he helped countless people come and mature to fullness of life and to Life Everlasting; and so we pray for all who nurture others with love and patience, as spiritual parents. Lord in your mercy,

Hear our Prayer.

Jacob's son, Joseph, to whom he gave the radiant coat, was beaten, betrayed, and sold into a life of hardship before rising to greatness; and so we pray for all who are injured, hurt, sick, lonely, or live in fear, especially. . . (those to be prayed for by name). Lord in your mercy,

Hear our Prayer.

Gracious God, as our Heavenly Father, you gave us the gift of your own Son, and out of our human blindness the crowds called for him to die on a cross; we pray for the dying and the dead. Bring all your children home. Lord in your mercy,

Hear our Prayer.

Our Father, who dwells in Heaven, we pray for all fathers. Strengthen and bless fathers to be faithful, loving and present; and for those fathers who you have brought into your Kingdom ahead of their children, and children ahead of their fathers, enfold them with your Holy Light and enfold us with your comfort. Now and forever, Abba, we pray. Amen.

You may use, or alter, this litany in any way you'd like; and you may reproduce it for liturgical use. I only ask that if you use it that you leave me a quick note below in the comment field, or email me identifying your congregation. No, I'm not going to try and sell you anything - it's just my vain curiosity! Rick+

Update: Rosa Lindahl Mallow, an Episcopal priest from Florida, gave us this wonderful translation of this litany into Spanish:

En este día cuando recordamos nuestros padres, levantamos oraciones a Dios que nos ha adoptado como sus hijas e hijos por las aguas del bautismo. O Dios, has formado a tu hijo Adán del polvo de la tierra y al respirar tu sagrado aliento en sus pulmones, nos has dado a todos el don de vida. Vuelve a respirar tu vida en nosotros, tus hijos, y tu Iglesia, para que todos seamos uno en Ti. Señor en tu misericordia,

Escucha nuestra oración.

Señor de todas las cosas, formaste grandes naciones de grandes familias y diste tu bendición a los hijos de Abraham, Isaac y Jacob para que fueran bendición para los demás. Bendice esta nación y todas las naciones del mundo con tu Presencia Paternal, con sabiduría y con paz. Señor en tu misericordia,

Escucha nuestra oración.

Al igual que los hijos de Israel fueron esclavos, haciendo ladrillos para el Faraón antes de que escucharas su llanto y los llevaras a la libertad, oramos por todas las personas del mundo que enfrentan dificultades. Oramos por los pobres, los que tienen hambre, los prisioners, las víctimas de la guerra y los que viven en la sombra del terror. Señor en tu misericordia,

Escucha nuestra oración.

Tu hijo Jesús fue criado por José el carpintero que año tras año lo vio crecer en fortaleza y sabiduría. Oramos por todos los miembros de nuestra familia de fe y en especial por los que celebran cumpleaños y aniversarios hoy. Señor en tu misericordia,

Escucha nuestra oración

Tu hijo Jesús no conoció el matrimonio ni fue padre de hijos propios pero ayudó a tantas personas a llegar a la madurez y plenitud de Vida Eterna. Hoy oramos por los hombres que han nutrido a otros con amor y paciencia, obrando como padres espirituales. Señor en tu misericordia,

Escucha nuestra oración.

El hijo de Jacob, José, a quien dio un abrigo radiante, fue golpeado, tracionado y vendido a una vida de dificultad antes de ser elevado a la grandeza. Hoy oramos por los que han sido lastimados, están enfermos, solos o asustados, especialmente (aquellos a los que debemos nombrar). Señor en tu misericordia,

Escucha nuestra oración.

Dios de toda gracia, nos diste el don de tu propio Hijo y por la ceguera de nuestra humanidad, las multitudes insistieron que debía morir sobre la cruz. Oramos por los que mueren y los que han muerto. Trae todos tus hijos a casa. Señor en tu misericordia,

Escucha nuestra oración.

Padre nuestro que vives en el cielo, oramos por todos los padres. Otórgales fuerza y bendición para que sean padres fieles, cariñosos y presentes. Oramos también por todos nuestros padres que tu has llevado a tu Reino antes de sus hijos y por los hijos que llegaro a ti antes que sus padres. Envuélvelos en tu Sagrada luz y otórganos a nosotros tu consuelo. Abba, es ésta nuestra oración hoy y por siempre. Amén.

Comments

[(The Rev.) Walter Bishop]

Proposing the use of this material at Hopewell Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC.

[Vicky]

I just may use this at New Hope United Methodist - I really like the prayer. Thanks for sharing! God bless you.

[Brian Fleming]

Thanks for the litany/prayer. It will be used as our special prayer for fathers this coming Sunday. Thank you again.
Rev. Brian Fleming
Colonial Place Christian Church
Richmond, VA

[Wray Sherman]

Thanks for the Litany. Hermitage Presbyterian Church, Waynesboro, VA

[Alynn Beimford]

Loved the prayer. I may use most of it at The Shared Episcopal Ministry of Northern New York - St. Paul's, Brownville and St. John's the Evangelist, Black River. God Bless you.

[Rev. Gibbons]

Considering use as prayer at Owasco Reformed Church, Auburn, NY

[Char]

Thank you! Immanual UCC, Latimer, IA

[Rev Wilson-Garrett]

I am considering it in part during this Sunday Service..Thank you
St Saviour's Anglican Church, Blind River, On Canada

[M. Campton-Steht]

I think I will use this for our Sunday Service at Crown Hill UMC in Seattle, WA. Thank you!

[Rev. Karen Winkel]

Lovely! We'll use this at Hillcrest Congregational UCC in Montrose, CO.

[Becky Pratt]

I will be using this in worship on Sunday at Stanton Reformed Church, Stanton, NJ. Thanks!

[The Rev. Dr. Rhonda Myers]

Thank you for permission to use this litany. We will use it as our special Father's Day prayer this Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, NJ.

[Pastor Linda Hall]

Thank you for the litany. Will be using this litany on Father's Day at Kyle Lutheran Parish, Kyle Saskatchewan, Canada

[Christina Berry]

I'll be adapting this for use this Sunday at 1st Presbyterian, Sterling, IL

[Lib McGregor Simmons]

Adapting for use at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Davidson, NC. Thank you and blessings on your ministry.

[Jan Custer, Huntsdale Church of the Brethren]

This is just what I was looking for. I will use it with thanks to you for Father's Day.
Jan Custer, Huntsdale Church of the Brethren

[Sherry Schacht]

Bless you, Rick! This is lovely! I'm adapting slightly for use at First Congregational UCC, Romeo, MI.

[Kim Krogstad]

Thank you for the loving Scriptural tribute to Fatherly relationships. I'm considering using at Grace Lutheran, Freehold, NJ

[Christy Laborda]

We might use part. Thank you! San Pablo Apóstol Episcopal, Seaside, CA.

[Fr. Rick Morley]

If you end up translating it into Spanish, I'd love to see it! Thanks! Rick+

[Kathy Hull]

Hey Rick, I will probably tweek it a bit and use it at Belspring Pres. and Old Brick Pres. in Radford, VA. Thanks. Blessings, Kathy Hull

[Patricia Martin]

thank you for posting this, I will be using it at Candle Lake Community Church, Candle Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Pat

[Dr. G. Edward Grove]

Thanks for the Work. On Father's Day, We will use the litany at Greensburg and Mt. Wesley United Methodist Churches in Martinsburg, WV.

[Dr. Howard White]

Might use at Wesley UMC, Urbana, IL. Thanks

[Rev Nancy Oehler Love]

I'll be using this at the United Church of Crawfordsville, IA