Read Psalm 68:5-6; Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 4:1, 13:1; Luke 11:11-13

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 Saviour, bring them to that place right now. May this be a day in which we give honour to You, God, for giving us our fathers.

In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Excerpted from The Prayers of Charles R. Swindoll, Volume 2, Copyright 2010 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.