God,
I thank you today for my father. For his mind, his zealous and relentless pursuit of knowledge, constantly engaging the world outside. For his persistence in teaching me how to think. For his willingness to accept me and be proud of me as I am. For his love of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
I thank you today for the other fathers who have shepherded me. Grandfathers who have spoken dreams into my life. A father-in-law who helped to shape my faith into action. Spiritual fathers who spoke the love of God into my heart. Vocational fathers who mentored me with affirmation and challenge.
I thank you today for the joy of fatherhood. For practical questions about life which I may or may not be able to answer – how to fix the sprinklers or whether to take the new job. For daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren who celebrate their Pop, included me in their families, and for the marvelous joy of knowing that my love for them is reciprocal in every way.
And I thank you, God, for being father of all that is, for creating me in your image, for your desire that I call you Abba, for your nurturing and protecting love, so that no matter what, I know that I am your beloved and that you are supremely proud of me.
In the name of my brother, Jesus, I pray. Amen.