| A Prayer for our Fathers on Father's Day
by Rabbi Denise L. Eger
It’s Father’s Day. A time to celebrate the strength of our fathers. For their care and concern, their guidance and love we give thanks. For all who are Dads, step-dads, grandfathers, and uncles, mentors and all who step up and in to the role, including foster dads, and those who parent like fathers, we wish you a Happy Father's Day.
For all those who took us by the hand and offered protection and safety we give thanks. For those that coached Little League and soccer, basketball and danced the ballet with us; Who took us to the theatre, and made up bed time stories we are grateful. For the dads who tutored us in math and English and made us breakfast on Sunday mornings, bless them. For the fathers who wrestled with us and taught us to drive we give thanks. For the fathers who worked for hours to provide for his family and missed out on our homeroom presentations, grant them rest and renewal.
For the fathers that didn’t know how to parent and even those who mistreated us, God give us the patience and forbearance to forgive. And help us to grow beyond their limitations and cruelties. And for the fathers who were absent, let us turn our lives into testimonies of presence.
For those that taught us Torah and lived their lives as an example of courage and gentleness we give thanks. For the fathers whose hands were filled with mitzvot and tzedakah, bless them and let us, emulate them.
For those who are remembering their fathers now deceased with fondness may their memories be a blessing.
For those who have struggled with their fathers or were distanced from them, may there come a time of peace and reconciliation with, in life or in memory.
May the patriarchs of our tradition, the fathers of Judaism, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless us. May we live up to the covenant they established with You and may we strive to have the connection to the Holy One of Blessing that they embodied. |
