The Lord’s Prayer for Father’s Day
“An earthly father expresses love for his children; it is no different with our heavenly Father; The Eternal shows His love for those who revere Him.” — Psalm 103:13
It was the summer before my 9th birthday, and my father and I were walking in Provincetown after watching Yellow Submarine. I was holding his hand as we wove our way through the Fourth of July crowd to get to the park, where my mother and sister were waiting with a picnic before the fireworks. My mind was dancing with images of Pepperland and the Beatles’ lively closing tune, One, two, three, four, can I have a little more? Five, six, seven-eight-nine-ten, I love you! A, B, C, D, Can I bring my friend to tea? E, F, G-H-I-J, I love you!
Then suddenly I heard harsh words, yelling, a rush of panic. Daddy squeezed my hand and pulled me quickly away from the altercation — which I wasn’t tall enough to see — and in seconds we were in a peaceful open space, as if it had never happened.
That’s what God’s love is like. God — Love Itself — is always here for us, like a devoted father, holding us close, keeping us safe from danger.
In the Bible, God is described over and over with fatherly metaphors. God has our back, no matter what. God is our refuge, fortress, tower, and shelter. He’s our rock. God is our shield, savior, keeper, shepherd, and guide. God even gives us piggy-back rides! He sings to us when we’re down, casts a shadow for us when we need a place to hide, and like a mighty bird, He protects us under His expansive wings. With doors always open, God is our home. A compassionate Father, He rescues us when we’re in trouble. We can count on this all-encompassing Love whenever and wherever we go. God also calls us to express this fatherly love when others need it.
So here’s my version of The Lord’s Prayer (Jesus’ words from Matthew 6:9–13), which I’ve written especially for Father’s Day:
Our Father,
Who has it together — in perfect rhythm, harmony, and balance
Your Name is impeccable; You have a stellar reputation
Your authority safeguards us at all times
Your righteousness wins out, reflecting Your good will everywhere.
Day in and day out, You give us what we need.
You forgive us for our wrongdoings, and grant us the courage to forgive those who do wrong against us.
When we follow You, we won’t be tempted
Because You keep us away from evil.
For You’re the One Powerful Ruler and Creator of the whole Universe
Forever and ever.
Amen.
©2019 Janis Hunt Johnson and CS Renewal Ministries. All rights reserved.
Read my 23rd Psalm for Mother’s Day here.
A spiritual author/editor/prayer coach/healer, an interfaith advocate and spiritual activist, my mission is to teach, preach, and heal, following Jesus’ example. If you like this piece, please clap for it, pass it on, follow me and subscribe, too!
In my ongoing Medium series, “Christian Science Redux,” I explore the power of prayer to heal. To learn more about how you can pray to bring healing to your life and the lives of others, read my book Five Smooth Stones: Our Power to Heal Without Medicine Through the Science of Prayer — which won Finalist, Spirituality category, in the 2010 National Indie Excellence Awards. In my upcoming second book — tentatively titled Seven Words to Freedom, Eight Days a Week: The Healing Power of Living Prayer — I take a deep dive into the original Hebrew of the Shema and demonstrate its power to heal.
Travel around the world and learn about the many wonderful ways humans celebrate — with my “Every Day is a Holiday” series. For humor and newstalgia,* read my “60-Something” musings. Connect with me on Goodreads, on Twitter @CSRenewal, on Facebook, on Pinterest @CSRenewalMinistries and across cyberspace. #deconstruction #LivingPrayer #EveryDayIsAHoliday
*newstalgia: My word for loving the past with an eye toward a hope-filled future.
