I have two beautiful teenage children. I do my best to guide them and to nurture their growth, but like many parents, I worry they will be disillusioned by the rising anger and division we’re seeing in our country now. Here’s a Father’s Day prayer for my son and daughter, and for kids everywhere, too, in hopes that they may grow and live in an all-inclusive and united America.

I pray that you will stand for what is right, even if you are the only one standing. Resist following others who serve only their self-interests. Remove yourselves from unnecessary drama. Remain calm and be kind in the midst of chaos.

I pray you make careful decisions when you are with others your age. Resist the temptations of peer pressure that may harm your health. Your bodies are your temples, so treat them as such.

I pray you feel empathy and compassion for those who are suffering. Do what you can to help them feel better. Sometimes, all it takes is a kind word or a friendly smile.

I pray you keep your respect for people of authority. Respect your teachers, even those you don’t like. As athletes, know that umpires and game officials are not perfect and will make mistakes just like you will make mistakes. Understand that you will always be winners on the field and on the court as long you remember the words, “I never lose. I either win or I learn.”

I pray you keep the child in you. Laugh like babies. Play games with your hearts as well as your minds. Realize that having childish fun is a lifelong joy. Unleash the little kid inside you and you will never grow old.

I pray you master the art of listening. Listen to what others say and to every point of view. Listening expands your mind to opinions different from your own. Agree to disagree when differences are strong. Be wary of narrow-mindedness. It prevents you from healthy change.

I pray you judge people on their virtues and not on the color of their skin, the ethnicity of their culture, or their sexual preferences. Stand against prejudice and oppression. Treat everyone with fairness.

I pray you follow your heart and not chase the lure of money when you choose a career. Many are miserable making lots of money while others are happy doing what they love. Follow your passion. If you look forward to going to work each day, that will be a reward that money can’t buy.

I pray you persevere when you are faced with difficult problems. Don’t quit when you feel frustrated. Find solutions that work best not only for you, but for others, too.

I pray you are not blindly persuaded by the ways of the world. Utilize computers and phones, but realize these are tools that cannot bring two people closer together. For that, look into their eyes when you speak, and when they look back, your minds and hearts will be in synchrony.

I pray you find joy in each new day. Go outside and experience nature. Feel the wind in your hair, the sun upon your face. Take delight in a summer rainstorm and walk into a winter snowfall. Find comfort in solitude and be grateful that you have been given this life to live.

I pray you’re never ashamed of your emotions. They speak the truth of your being. Cry when you’re sad. Feel disappointment when you fail. Understand what makes you angry and temper it with acceptance of the things you cannot change. Forgive people who hurt you. Ask forgiveness from those you hurt. Don’t let anyone say, “You shouldn’t feel that way” or “I told you not to be upset.” Your feelings define you. Don’t push them away. Feel is real.

I pray you find love someday, the greatest joy of all. Learn when love is true and when it’s false. To love and to be loved are better than anything else the material world can offer you. Don’t look for love; let it find you. Understand that to truly love someone you must first love yourself. Honest love comes from wanting someone rather than needing someone. Love is not just physical. It’s a spiritual energy and struggle can make it stronger. Nothing is impossible to accomplish if you have the power of love in your lives.

I pray you will come to know that love never ends when someone you love dies. Just a thought or a feeling, a place, or a moment in time brings this love right back to you. Compared to the life of the universe, human life is very brief, but love never ends and lives beyond the final heartbeat.

The greatest gift a man can be given is fatherhood, but to be called “father” is merely biological. To be called, “Dad,” is special and is earned through the unconditional love men give to their children.

Someone once said, “A dad is much happier in his children’s happiness than in his own.”

These words ring true for me and for all dedicated dads. Together we need to help build a safe and peaceful America for our children. Their happiness is depending on us. Let’s get past the opinions and the anger that divide us and give them the country they deserve.

Rich Strack can be reached at katehep11@gmail.com.