Psalms 27:10: A Father’s Day Prayer For The Fatherless

Psalm 27:10 can enable someone to smile, like this child though they are fatherless. Psalms 27:10 can help someone smile, like this child, though they are fatherless. Photo courtesy of Terricks Noah on Unsplash.

Holding on to Psalms 27:10

My Experience with Fatherlessness

Psalms 27:10 is a scripture that comes to mind every year around this time. The reason is that Father’s Day occurs on the third Sunday in June.

Honestly, this is a bittersweet day for me. On one hand, I get to celebrate the men who make an effort to be present in their child or children’s lives.

At the same time, it’s a difficult day because I do not have a present father in my life.

This difficulty is amplified as someone who does not know or have a relationship with my biological dad. I’ve also been adopted twice and experienced being abandoned by two different men who failed to act like good fathers.

As a child, their abandonment made me question why they didn’t think I was worthy of their presence and love. To this day, I struggle with wondering who I’d be if one of those three men had remained committed to their responsibility.

Thankfully, Psalms 27:10 proves true as I have grandfathers, a stepdad, brothers, uncles, cousins, and mentors who fill this void. They also inspire me to become the good example I wish I had learned from a father.

Unfortunately, not everyone processes fatherlessness from a positive perspective. Knowing this, I’d like to reveal the impact of absent fathers and offer a prayer for the fatherless.

But first, let’s examine Psalms 27:10 in its proper context and highlight the historical significance of Father’s Day.

What did David Mean?

Psalms 27:10 in Its Proper Context

Psalms 27:10 (NRSV) says, “If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.” The New Living Translation simplifies this as David declares that the Lord will hold him close if his parents abandon him.

While there may have been seasons David felt alone, there is no proof his parents ever abandoned him. In fact, he makes this poetic declaration during a time when he protects his parents by sheltering them with King Moab.

Scholars suggest David makes this declaration to express his confidence in God’s ability to deliver him from trouble. They also believe this statement shows that, though his parents love him, the Heavenly Father’s care is greater.

The Historical Significance of Father’s Day

Honor Birthed out of Tragedy

While our Heavenly Father’s care exceeds human compassion, some situations cause us to question his love. This may have been the case for West Virginia residents in December 1907, during the tragic loss of 362 coal miners.

However, God uses the tragedy to prove Psalms 27:10 and Romans 8:28 true, bringing the community closer together to honor the beloved coal miners. A West Virginia Church initiated this unity the following summer by hosting a service in their honor.

The service was a one-time event, but it was the first occasion resembling what we now know as Father’s Day.

Sonarah Smart Dodd and William Smart

Ironically, the establishment of Mother’s Day in 1908 inspired Sonarah Smart Dodd to advocate for a special day dedicated to celebrating Fathers. Dods wanted to honor her Father, William Smart, after attending one of the first Mother’s Day services in Spokane, Washington.

William Smart was a widower and single dad who had 14 children from two marriages. He was also a Civil War Veteran who served for both the Union and Confederate armies at different times during the war.

This happened as a survival tactic after being captured while driving a supply wagon for the Confederate Army.

While unsure about Dodd’s religious beliefs, I’m sure she understood the importance of honoring your parents and praising others. This is because she praises her Father for brilliantly handling his responsibilities.

Her devotion led her to ask her church (which held the first Father’s Day service on June 19, 2010) to participate in celebrating fathers. Dodd’s devotion also motivated her to spend the remainder of her life striving to make Father’s Day an official day.

Sadly, Dodd didn’t experience the full reward of her labor. She died six years before President Richard Nixon declared the third Sunday in June Father’s Day.

Struggling to Trust the Heavenly Father

The Father’s Promises

Dodd’s story reminds Christians that when God gives us a burden, we must faithfully complete the work regardless of the results. We must abound in God’s work, trusting that our labor is not in vain.

Similarly, no matter what circumstances arise in our lives, we must believe God is our good Father who promises to

Save and adopt when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 4:4-7).
Give us good gifts and an inheritance (Matthew 7:11; Ephesians 1:11-14).
Comfort us during trials and tribulations (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
Discipline us for correction and purification (Hebrews 12:6-11).
Dwell among us as we separate ourselves for his use (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).
Fill and seal us with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13).
Grant our prayers according to his will (John 15:7,16).
Guide us as we trust in him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Take care of us (Psalms 27:10; 68:5).

Doubting Psalms 27:10 Due to Abandonment?

But how can I trust God will take care of and never leave me, knowing an earthly father has? Others dealing with abandonment may have the same question since 17.6 million children live without their fathers.

Consequently, they are more likely to

Experience abuse.
Become a teenage parent.
Live in poverty.
Partake in drugs and alcohol.
Drop out of school.
Commit a crime and go to prison.

This is a reality for my Black families since close to 500,000 have criminal records, which affects their ability to work and be providers.

As someone who’s served in youth ministry for nearly a decade, I know the absence of a dad can make it hard for youth to appreciate God as a good father. Furthermore, the consequences of growing up without a father can cause teens to doubt God’s existence and make Father’s Day dreadful.

Let Us Pray

For the Fatherless According to Psalms 27:10

Knowing this, I am compelled to pray for the fatherless.

Lord, you are our Heavenly Father, who cares for us when earthly parents fail, according to Psalms 27:10. You are a father and comforter to the orphan.

But I confess, it’s hard for fatherless children to reverence you this way since our earthly dads failed to be present. I also admit it’s difficult to obey your word by honoring a parent who decides not to be a part of our lives.

Cleanse us of any disrespect, evil thoughts, hatred, or apathy we have toward our absent dads. Forgive us for the times we’ve been tempted to hate our lives due to challenges we’ve had to endure living life without a father’s supervision.

Help us be aware and appreciate your goodness despite our circumstances. Thank you to family members, teachers, and mentors who play father-figure roles. Help us use Father’s Day as a way to celebrate and express gratitude for their impact.

Comfort those grieving the loss of their father. Let this be a weekend where they cherish their memory and find joy in the good times they shared.

Heal them from the pain, rejection, and other traumas that living without a present father may cause. Empower us to be unashamed to attend therapy sessions and talk to others about our feelings so we can receive proper mental and emotional healing.

Interceding for Fathers

Help us to forgive our earthly fathers for what they failed to do because they know they are imperfect. We are also imperfect and realize that forgiving them is key to experiencing your forgiveness.

Lord, we also ask that you forgive absent earthly fathers. Help them realize the mistakes they made and heal from the issues that cause them to abandon us.

Convict them to repent and save their souls so they can come to know you as Lord and Savior. Urge them to be open to restoring their relationships with their children and co-parenting healthily.

By your grace, help them be the men and dads you’ve called them to be. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Does this article help you deal with fatherlessness? Are the other methods or petitions I didn’t include that should be mentioned? I appreciate your comments and feedback!