Our Father who art in heaven
I am a father on earth.
You have given me this gift
and responsibility.
Grant me the wisdom to carry it out.
Let my fatherhood be one of
encouragement and support,
not of expectations and control.
Let me protect my children, but not too
much; advise them but not too little.
Let me respect them as individuals,
not as extensions of myself.
Let me be honest about my feelings
toward them - including my anger,
disappointment, hurt, excitement, joy and love.
Let me be firm without dominating them.
Let me be sensitive to their feelings
without trying to change them.
Let me be there for them when
they need me and get out of their
way when they don't.
Let me offer them the roots of belonging
and the wings of freedom.
Help me, Father in heaven,
to be a father on earth.
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Adapted from a prayer by Adolfo Quezada
Father and Son - Cat Stevens
