I’m a dad five times. Meaning I have five kids. My dad is a dad seven times. His dad was a dad four times. All three of us were or are pastors.
What I’m trying to say is I’ve got (and need) plenty of prayers for dads on Father’s Day (or any day) on lock. My teens would make fun of me for saying “on lock.” Another reason why I need prayer.
Seriously, though, dads need prayer to become more patient, kind, courageous, caring, gentle, strong, humble, and generally better at doing things like washing dishes, listening on bad days, kissing ouchies, folding laundry, attending recitals, coaching sports, and guiding budding relationships.
Whether your dad is loving, absent, faithful, or complicated, prayer is one way we entrust him to God’s care.
Whether your dad is loving, absent, faithful, or complicated, prayer is one way we entrust him to God’s care. So if you’re a dad or have a dad or dad-like figure in your life, I hope you’ll pray the prayers for dads below.
Different Ways to Pray for Dads (Or Anyone)
If prayer is new to you, here’s a simple article about prayer. I’ll share just a few ways from the Bible to pray for dads (or anyone).
Pray by asking for what you need with gratitude for who God is.
Paul, a leader of some of the first Christian churches, wrote about this kind of prayer in a letter to the church in Philippi. If you or a dad you know needs something, you can simply ask God for help. And while you do, thank Him for His character and all He has already done.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Pray by sharing what you’re upset about.
The fancy word for this kind of prayer is lament, and it’s common in the Bible. A lament is when you tell God how sad, painful, and horrible your situation feels. Then, you allow Him to respond with comfort, care, help, hope, direction, or even correction.
These are just a few lines of a prayer of lament from Psalm 22. If you or your dad are going through a hard time, this is the kind of prayer you might want to pray together. An honest prayer that includes both pain and praise. I recommend reading the entire chapter.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest … But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Psalm 22:1-2,19 NIV
Pray wordlessly, trusting God knows, sees, and helps you.
If you haven’t read all of Romans 8 lately, put it on your list. I want to share with you two verses that show us one way we can relate to God as a very good Father who knows what we need, even if we don’t know how to pray for it.
If you’re not sure what to pray for your dad, that’s okay. Sometimes it’s okay to feel, groan, and entrust your prayers to God wordlessly.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 NIV
Every Dad Needs Prayer
Some fathers need encouragement, and some need healing. Most probably need both.
Some fathers need encouragement, and some need healing. Most probably need both. And for many of us, our relationship with our dad is part of why those prayers feel so important in the first place.
You didn’t get to decide what kind of father you would have. If he was incredible, kind, humble, and full of courage, what a wonderful privilege you’ve experienced! If he was inconsistent, unkind, or full of his own pain, I’m sorry. It wasn’t your fault.
Either way, I hope you will take this moment to talk to God. Ask Him to help your dad to keep becoming the kind of person he was created to be.
And while you didn’t get to pick your dad, you can always choose to accept the kind, loving care of our heavenly Father.
4 Example Prayers for Fathers
I bet your dad, or any dad, and especially our Father in heaven, will be really happy to hear whatever words you come up with. But sometimes words are hard, and prayer—especially out-loud prayer—can feel intimidating.
So here are a few example prayers for Father’s Day and every other day.
1. A Prayer for Dads
Heavenly Father, You must understand dads really well. You know my dad even better than I do. He was Your plan, even before he was on his parents’ minds. I am so thankful You made him and love him. I pray that You will give back to him everything and more that he has given me. I pray You will bless him with Your kindness and love. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
2. A Light-Hearted Prayer for Dads
Jesus, You said that even earthly fathers wouldn’t give a snake if a child asked for a fish. Or a stone, if a child asked for bread. And, I know You know my dad, but do You know about all the pranks he’s played on me? In all seriousness, God, I’m so thankful You gave me a dad who follows Your ways and trusts You. You gave me a dad who is far better than I could have ever asked for! I’m thankful. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:9-11 NLT
3. A Father’s Day Prayer
God, I just want to say thank You. Thank You for giving me a father who is full of wisdom, grace, and peace. Thank You for a father who lives what he speaks. Thank You for a father who lives the way of Jesus. I pray You would bless him, protect him, and be present with him this Father’s Day and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
4. A Prayer for a Complicated Relationship With Your Dad
God, You know how hard my relationship with my dad is. And You know all the reasons why. I give my anger, feelings of rejection, and pain to You. Please heal my heart. I give my dad to You. Please heal the things that are broken inside him too. Bring others into his life who will point him to You. Thank You for being a good Father. Thank You for loving me and healing me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Encouragement for You
No dad is perfect. Every dad needs help.
I’m almost 40, and I still ask my dad for help and wisdom. Sometimes I just ask right out. Other times, I tell him about something I’m upset about and wait. And there are even times that I hope he’ll reach out without me saying anything at all.
Sometimes I ask my heavenly Father right out for help. Other times, I tell Him what I’m upset about and wait. And sometimes I hope He’ll just come close without me even needing to ask. Each of these ways of relating to God can be a kind of praying.
So don’t overthink prayer. Just honestly talk to God about your dad. Whether it’s light-hearted, heavy, hopeful, or painful, God wants to hear from you, and He wants to help your dad, too.