This prayer celebrates Dad. It’s part of a series of prayers for family including: “For the Matriarch,” “For Our Brothers,” “For Our Sisters” and “For the Family Historian.” To listen while you read, click on the triangle in the bar below. The text follows. The photo is me and my dad in Key West, Florida, where I became a father for the first time.
For the Patriarch
For our patriarch,
A song of dignity and honor.
Guardian of mitzvot,
Keeper of truths,
Hand of protection and peace,
We are blessed with your humor and compassion,
Your zest for life
And your zeal for family.
You remind us to open our lives to G-d’s majesty and mystery
G-d’s justice and mercy.
You remind us to seek radiance and splendor,
Awe for creation and compassion for each other,
And choose joy over grief,
Laughter over tears.
G-d of fatherly patience and strength,
Bless our family with love
And our patriarch with vision, endurance and hope.
May his devotion inspire us to righteousness and charity,
Guided by Torah.
Bless our lives with abundance
And our days with vigor,
So that we bring majesty and mystery to our lives
And into the world.
Blessed are You, G-d of our fathers,
Who provides just and righteous men
In every generation.
© 2010 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
Postscript: If you like this prayer, try: “For the Matriarch,” “For Our Brothers,” “For Our Sisters” and “For the Family Historian.”
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Photo Source: Alden Solovy
Tags: bless, celebrating father, fatherhood, hope, life, prayer for dad, spirit