A FATHER'S PRAYER FOR HIS DAUGHTER

Build me a daughter, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when she is weak,
Brave enough to face herself when she is afraid;
One who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat and gentle in victory.

Build me a daughter whose wishes will not take the place of deeds;
A daughter who will know Thee - and that to know herself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Build me a daughter whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high;
A daughter who will master herself before she seeks to master others;
One who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are hers, add, I pray,
Enough of humor so that she may always be serious yet never take herself too seriously.
Give her humility, and simplicity of true greatness,
The open mind of true wisdom and the meekness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper. "I have not lived in vain."