Our family always prays before meals. We want to express our gratitude to God for what He has provided. With that very regular routine, however, it’s easy for the meal prayer to become just that–a routine. The children too often blurt out a quick “Thank you, Jesus, for our food” as they are reaching for their fork to gobble down their food. And all too often, my wife and I are hungry and harried and ready to hurry through a quick prayer.
It’s not supposed to be that way. We truly want the meal prayer to be a humble expression of gratitude. When we realize that this simple prayer time is getting hollow and cheap, we try to counter that in one way or another. Sometimes we just remind the child we call on to say grace of several things they could mention in their prayer.
A couple of weeks ago, I realized we needed to something a bit different for a while and jotted down a meal prayer for our family to say together. We’ve not over-used it, but the kids have memorized it now. Prayer time is again a bright spot in our day to help our family to start our meals with a thankful heart. I don’t know about you, but I think a meal just tastes a whole lot better and is more filling when you are grateful. Here’s the prayer we have been praying together for our meals recently:
By new mercies daily blessed
Surrounded by Your faithfulness
Lord, we thank you for our food
Life and happy family too
Loving, kind, forgiving, true
May we always honor You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Do you have a favorite meal prayer, perhaps even one you learned as a child? I would love share it with my family if you would like to share it in the comment section below.
Rez Pastor 
I like the prayer! Meal time prayer often is so routine. Thanks for the reminder to keep it meaningful!
LikeLike