Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. - Martin Luther


Thursday, February 11, 2010

Table Graces and Mealtime Prayers


A week or more ago, I was asked by a member of CtK to suggest some new (or new-to-him) prayers to be said before meals. Evidently his family is stuck in a rut of,
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest,
and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen
As the question was posed in the middle of things on a Sunday morning, I deferred. Well, here's the beginning of an answer:
At our house, we still pray the old-favorite grace, but with a second stanza added:

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest,
and let these gifts to us be blessed.
Blessed be God, who is our bread.
May all the world be clothed and fed. Amen

And here are some more:

God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food.
By God's hands we all are fed. Give us Lord our daily bread. Amen

Be present at our table, Lord.
Be here and everywhere adored.
These mercies bless and grant that we
May strengthened for thy service be. Amen

We give you thanks, O Lord,
For all things bright and good,
The beauty of your world,
The bounty of your food. Amen

Good food.
Good meat.
Good God, let's eat!

For food and drink and happy days
Accept our gratitude and praise.
In serving others, Lord may we,
Express our deepest thanks to thee. Amen

(Sung to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me")
Come, Lord Jesus be our guest,
Let this food to us be blest.
With your daily bread impart
Love and peace to every heart.
Come, Lord be with us.
Come, Lord be with us.
Come, Lord be with us.
Come, Lord be with us. Amen.

(Sung to the tune of "Edelweiss")
Bless our friends, Bless our food,
Come, O Lord, and sit with us.
May our talk glow with peace.
May your love surround us.
Friendship and love, may it
Bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever.
Bless our friends, Bless our food,
Come, O Lord, and sit with us.
Amen

Of course this list is by no means exhaustive. Do you have a favorite mealtime prayer to share? Post it in the comments!

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