a father's prayer

A Father’s Prayer

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know

when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when

he is afraid…

Make him one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat,

and humble and gentle in victory…

Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be;

A son whose wishes will not takethe place of deeds…

a son who will know Thee,and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of

difficulties and challenge…

Here let him learn to stand up in the storm…here let him learn

compassion for those who fail…

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be

high;

…A son who will master himself

before he seeks to master other men…

Let him be one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget

how to weep…

One who will reach into the future,

Yet never forget the past…

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough sense of humor, so that he may always be serious,

yet never take himself too seriously…

Give him humility, so that he may always remember the

simplicity of true greatness…

Give him the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness

of true strength…

Then, I, his father, will dare towhisper, “I have not lived in vain.”

This prayer was written by Gen. Douglas MacArthurin the early days of World War II, as a spiritual legacy to his son,

and made public after the general died in 1964,It was prayed many times during his morning devotion.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur

“It is my earnest hope- indeed the hope of all mankind- That a better

world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past, a world

founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to

the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished

wish for freedom, tolerance and justice.”

Gen Douglas MacArthur

“Duty, Honor, Country…Those three hallowed words reverently

dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, and what you

will be.”


“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom

unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”


“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the

compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by

the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”


a father's prayer

Spiritual