Father Day 3rd Sun June

----- Forwarded Message ----From: father patrick ...Sent: Wed, 16 June, 2010 14:32:53Subject: A father's Day Prayer

A Father's Day Prayer

Let us praise those fathers

who have striven to balance

the demands of work, marriage, and children

with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice.

Let us praise those fathers

who, lacking a good model for a father,

have worked to become a good father. 

Let us praise 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.

Let us pray for those fathers

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

Let us praise those fathers

who, despite divorce,

have remained in their children's lives.

Let us praise those fathers

whose children are adopted,

and whose love and support has offered healing. 

Let us praise those fathers

who, as stepfathers,

freely choose the obligation of fatherhood

and earned their step children's love and respect.

Let us praise those fathers

who have lost a child to death,

and continue to hold the child in their heart. 

Let us praise those men

who have no children,

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

Let us praise those men

who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides. 

Let us praise those men

who are about to become fathers;

may they openly delight in their children. 

And let us praise those fathers

who have died,

but live on in our memory

and

whose love continues to nurture us. 

by

Kirk Loadman