Anchor Verses for Fathers

We asked a number of Fathers to choose a Scripture that helps ground them in their role as a father. An Anchor verse. Below are some great examples to choose from.

Provberbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Steve – Father of two
“I keep coming back to this verse as the reminder that I don’t have to have it all worked out – if I trust in God, He will lead and guide me”

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Alan – Father of four and grandfather of five
“So many times this verse has proved to be true… through every trial and test in life this verse has been my anchor and assurance..and in good times it is a reminder that our life is not ours to plan but Gods who has a plan and a purpose for each of us.”

Malachi 4:6

And he will turn
The hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse

David – Father of five
“This verse continues to motivate me. Especially when you link it to Luke 1:17”

Colossians 2:6-7

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Alastair – Father of three
“I hold this verse close as a father.”

Luke 11:9-13

‘So I say to you: ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

‘Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

Paul – Father of three
“…’how much more’! I anchor myself in the knowledge that before I am a father, I am a son. It reminds me to ask for the Holy Spirit and to live my life from the position of being a child of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Agoston – Father of two
“This is my verse. Being a father is a primary part of my race, I want to run it well”

1 Samuel 2:30

The Lord declares: “Far be it from me! Those who honour me I will honour.”

Peter – Father of two
“A verse held dear by my Grandpa and shared with me many times over the year”

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Christian – Father of two
“When I think about my role as a father, my first thought is always Deuteronomy 6”

Luke 15:31

“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”

Philm – Father of five and grandfather of one
“Not just an anchor verse in how I father and grandfather, but just consider… we are adopted into the family of God!”

Psalm 78:5-7

He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.

Gareth – Father of three
“‘That they might set their hope in God’ is a phrase I hold very close. The ultimate reason why we raise our children and teach them the things of God.”

2 Timothy 3:10

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness.

Jose – father of two
“My anchor verse as a father… I’ve never thought of that before. But this verse springs to mind.”

John 1:4

In him was life, and the life was the light of men

Jasper – Father of three
“I personalise this and say: In him ‘is’ life, and that life ‘is’ the light of men.”

Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Peter – Father of two
“It’s spoke to me before, maybe because it’s a manly type of verse 😅
But as father’s, leaders, with so many relying on us….it’s a comfort to know we trust in the everlasting God who never fails or is defeated.
It’s also check for us that we don’t rely on our own strength/competencies (our own chariots we’ve crafted ourselves), but that we trust in God alone.”

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.’

Alan – Father of two
“It always comes back to Zep 3:17. … Always!”

Psalm 27:13-14

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Damian – Father of two
“I’ve particularly been drawn to verses 13 and 14 of Psalm 27 – though really the whole Psalm!“

Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

Alistair – Father of two
“Gives me perspective”

How to choose your Anchor Verse as a Father.

Very simply, it’s a verse that reminds you that you are belong to God, and grounds you when you think of your children or grandchildren.
Think: if I’m about to come off the rails as a father, what verse would remind me who I am and point me in the right direction?

It can also be freeing to just think of a seasonal Anchor Verse. For when you: have young children; are a grandfather for the first time; have a busy season at work; are going through difficulties; are putting your children through college, etc.

The verses above are all fantastic options, each suggested by a great father we know.

Write out your Anchor Verse and place it in your wallet
Use it as a platform on which to begin morning prayers
Pop it on as a wallpaper on your phone
Share it with others, including your family and encourage them to have an Anchor Verse for the season of life they are in.