Mealtime prayers are essential conversations with God. Paul tells us to:
“Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a VOICE)
Poverty and starvation are an everyday reality for some, while others of us quench their thirst and put hunger at bay at our leisure. No matter which side of the pendulum we find ourselves on, praying God’s will over our lives and our meals is important.
“… for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18b NLT)
Praying God’s blessing over our meals is a simple way to make a big difference on the daily alignment of our hearts. It helps us remember that our blessings come from our Creator… who deserves credit for all.
Here are 10 prayers that will fit any mealtime situation, from formal family dinners, to meals on the go at the neighborhood drive-thru:
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“Will you please bless the food?”
We’ve all been there…you’re at the dinner table surrounded by friends and family and someone asks you to bless the food. For many of us, any sort of public speaking (even with the ones we love the most) is a little scary! A whirlwind of questions probably go through your head: Do you quote a scripture? Do you pause for a moment of silence? How long should do prayers before meals generally take? What points should you make? And all of those questions, even the ones we didn’t list, are all okay. A prayer before meal is a very sacred and special occurrence.
It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to recite a prayer. The fact that you’re willing to spend this special time with your loved ones and share a meal is very meaningful and will in turn create beautiful memories that everyone will share for a life time.
But having well versed quick prayers, in your back pocket, won’t hurt either. Don’t worry, they’re all super short and direct. Your loved ones will appreciate your sentiment, but also be happy that you weren’t incredibly long winded. Keep these meal prayers close to your heart and you’ll never be caught off-guard again.
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