Father of Every Family

O God, our heavenly Father, whose goodness loved us into life, and whose mercies never fail: we commend to thee all who have a place in our hearts and sympathies; all who are joined to us by the sacred ties of kindred, ~ friendship and love; keep them outwardly in their bodies and inwardly in their souls. Bless all little children, dear to us and dear to thee; and grant that love may reign in our homes, uniting us together and to thee; in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent prayer) Most gracious Father, sanctify the ties that bind us to friends and kindred; and so fill us with love, gentleness and forbearance that we may live together in peace and joy.

May we love thee supremely and abide in thy love, that we may be comforters and helpers one of another unto the end: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. Grant unto us a revival of the simplicity and purity of home life; may parents bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and children love and reverence their parents: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. Stir up in the young a zeal for whatever things are beautiful and true and good, that they may bravely witness for thee; and keep the hearts of the aged fresh with sweet affection and quiet trust, that at their eventide there may be light: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord.

For the careless and the wayward that they may be delivered from the bonds of iniquity; for all who are beset by passionate temptations that thy mercy may be their salvation; and for all who are lonely and sad in the midst of others’ joy that they may know God as their Friend and Comforter: We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. 554 O thou Father of every family, we lift up to thee the family life of our nation. We thank thee for all Christian homes where each is loved by all and all by each, and each and all in thee; where the lovely things grow and flourish; and where evil tempers wilt and wither and die; where difficulties are solved, and irritation melted in an atmosphere of good will and good humor; where little children laugh and live without fear, and where young people grow into manhood and womanhood in freedom and in joy.

We pray for all broken homes that they may be repaired in spirit as well as in outward appearance. We pray for all little children wounded in their very souls by quarrelsome parents and for all parents who grieve over children who care nothing for the sacred word “home.” Give us today a new ideal of what our homes might be, that putting away all nagging and unkind criticism, all jealousy and suspicion, all desire to dominate and rule another’s life, the family life of our land may be that wholesome basis of the life of a nation which thou canst use.

O God, bless the families of America and of the world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.