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Dad's Prayer for April 17th

A short, Scripture-shaped dads prayer for an ordinary moment of Christian faith.

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The prayer

A prayer to pray now

Lord, Abel's blood cried out for justice. Yours speaks mercy. When I want to demand justice from people who have wronged me, remind me of whose blood covers me. Mercy speaks louder over me than my old grievances. Let it speak that way over them, too. The colleague who shorted me on credit. The friend whose silence still stings. The relative I have not really forgiven. Help me extend the same mercy You gave me, and work in their hearts as only You can. My job is not to demand justice. My job is to live consistently with the mercy I have already received. Amen.

How to pray it

  1. Read it slowly. Move through this prayer one line at a time, out loud if you can, letting each phrase land before the next.
  2. Make it personal. Pause where a line meets your day and name the person, fear, or hope it touches before God.
  3. Carry it with you. Keep one sentence with you — on your phone or in your pocket — and return to it when the day gets loud.

Verses to pray

Pray these slowly, one line at a time. Scripture quoted from a public-domain translation.

  1. to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,12:24 Jeremiah 31:31 and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.
    Hebrews 12:24
  2. and through him to reconcile all things to himself by him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
    Colossians 1:20

Questions about this prayer

When should I pray dad's prayer for april 17th?

Pray it whenever the words fit your moment — at the start of the day, in a hard stretch, or when you simply want to turn toward God.

Which Bible verses anchor this prayer?

This prayer is anchored in Hebrews 12:24, Colossians 1:20. The "Verses to pray" section above quotes them in full.

Can I save or share this prayer?

Yes. Use the Copy prayer button to copy the words, or open the Chosen Portion app to keep a daily prayer, devotional, and Scripture with you.