“Father, I Adore You” is one of the more enduring praise choruses of the latter part of the twentieth century, partly because it's a humble and simple text and partly because it’s enjoyable to sing as a round. The text expresses praise, subjection, and love to the triune God. Out of the oral tradition in which choruses like this one prevail, the song's trinitarian text has prompted an additional, concluding stanza: “Three-in-One, I adore you.” Some hymnals use the plural form, "Father, we adore you."
Terrye Coelho (b. Camp Roberts, CA, 1952) states that she composed both text and tune for this hymn in 1972 "while driving a car and worshiping God." The song was first performed, published, and recorded at Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, California, in 1972. In 1971 Coelho was converted to Christianity, joined Calvary Chapel, and became a singer for Maranatha! Music. Educated at Arizona State University and at a medical assistant's program in Anaheim, California, Coelho is a songwriter and homemaker. She has written many lyrics, most of which are unpublished.
Liturgical Use:
Offering of gifts; adult baptism; profession of faith; ordination; commissioning; Lord's Supper; many other occasions in Christian worship.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988