Mealtime prayers are essential conversations with God. They are an important aspect to spending time together as a family. Saying grace doesn't need to be an elaborate recitation though it may be appropriate for different settings at different tables. If you want to grow closer to God, saying a simple prayer before a meal can be an excellent way to show appreciation for blessings that come from your Creator.
Praying
God’s blessing over our meals is a simple way to make a big difference on the
daily position of our heart attitude. Use dinner time and all other times of
eating to recall God's goodness in your life. Here is a look at some great non
denominational prayers that will fit any family mealtime situation. Recite them
word-for-word or use them as a pattern for developing your own unique mealtime
prayers:
1.
A Prayer for
Dining out: Heavenly Father, bless this establishment and employees as
they prepare and serve our food. Thank You for the opportunity to have our meal
brought to us, and the ability to relax and enjoy this time with one another.
We understand our privilege to be here, and we pray to be a blessing to those
we encounter in this place. Bless our conversation, and may we honor You in all
we do. Amen.
2.
A Prayer for
Family Mealtime: Heavenly Father, we have gathered to share a meal in Your
honor. Thank You for putting us together as family. Thank You for this food.
Bless it to our bodies, Lord. We thank you for all of the gifts you’ve given to
those around this table. Help each member of our family use these gifts to your
glory. Guide our mealtime conversations and steer our hearts to Your purpose
for our lives. Amen.
3.
A Prayer for
Mealtime Fellowship: Heavenly Father, praise You for
friendship and family. Thank You for bringing us together today to share a
meal. The people in our lives bring us such joy, and we are grateful for time
spent in fellowship together. Help us use this time to bond closer as a group,
and learn to love each other more. Bless our appetites, both physical and
spiritual, to honor You in all we do. Amen.
4.
A Prayer for
the Drive-Thru: Heavenly Father, thank You for the drive-thru, that saves
our time on busy days. We pray for those who prepared our food, and we ask that
we would be a blessing to them during our brief encounter today. We remember
that they are Your children, and that they should be treated with kindness and
respect, so that they will be able to see You in our actions. Bless this food
to our bodies and keep us safe on the road today. Amen.
5.
A Prayer for
When Food is Scarce: Heavenly Father, we come to You
hungry, today. It’s hard to understand why we don’t have enough to eat, but we
come to You for strength, knowing that You are our provider. Help us to trust
that You will sustain us through times of abundance and times of scarcity. Bless
us and help us get back up on our feet again. Amen.
6.
A Prayer for
When Someone is Missed at the Table: Heavenly
Father, we are coping with an empty seat at our table. Be with the one we are
without, today, and help us to trust in Your timing, purpose, and great love
for us all. As we miss ____________ today, we pray Your blessing over
him/her/them, and us, and the space in between now and when we see them next.
Until then, may this food bless our bodies, and give us strength to endure the
day ahead. Amen.
7.
A Prayer in
Remembrance of the Hungry: Heavenly
Father, You are mighty and strong to sustain our bodies. Thank You for the meal
we are about to enjoy. Forgive us for forgetting how many pray for food to
relieve their starvation. Bless and relieve the starvation of those who hunger,
and inspire our hearts to seek out ways that we can help from our abundance.
Amen.
8.
A Prayer of
Confession: Heavenly Father, this meal is the work of Your hands. You
have provided for me, again, and I am grateful. I confess my tendency to forget
to ask Your blessing upon my life, through the comforts that You have given me
to enjoy. So many people lack these daily comforts and it is selfish of me to
forget about them in their need. Show me how to make the most of Your blessing in
my life, for everything I have is a gift from You. Amen.
9.
A Prayer That
This Food May Fuel Us to Do Your Work: Heavenly
Father, praise You for the nourishment the You provide. Thank You for meeting
our physical needs of hunger and thirst. Forgive us for taking that simple joy
for granted, and bless this food to fuel our bodies forward into Your will for
our lives. We pray that we will be energized and be able to work for the glory
of Your Kingdom. Amen.
“Bless us, Oh Lord and these thy gifts which, we are about to receive
from thy bounty through Christ, our Lord. Amen.” (Catholic Meal Prayer)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“10 Prayers for Before Meals - Short, Simple,
Beautiful!” By Meg Bucher
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