Prayer for my son: protection, faith, and his future

Heavenly Father, You gave me this son, and You love him even more than I do, which is hard for me to imagine. Today I bring him to You by name: (name). Keep him in Your care.

Protect him in body. Watch over him on the roads he drives, in the places he works or studies, in the games he plays and the risks he takes that I do not know about. Keep him from accidents and from the harm that comes through bad company or his own impulsiveness.

Protect him in soul. The world will offer him a thousand versions of what it means to be a man; let him learn it from Jesus, who was strong enough to be gentle and brave enough to weep. Give him honest friends, a clean heart, and the courage to stand alone when standing alone is right.

Guide his steps. If he is searching for direction, show him his path. If he is far from the faith, draw him back without force, through the people and moments You know will reach him. If he is struggling with something he has not told me, let him tell You, and send someone to help.

Heal whatever is broken between us, Lord. Where I have failed him, forgive me and help me make it right. Where he has hurt me, give me a parent's heart that forgives before it is asked.

Saint Joseph, who raised a Son who was not your own, pray for my boy. Mary, who watched your Son walk toward Jerusalem, teach me to let go and trust. Amen.