Give Thanks Before A Meal
OK, many of our meals are rushed; many of them take place while other things also demand our attention. Many times we are with people who might not fully recognise what saying grace signifies.
But taking a moment of quiet around the table or with some simple words of thanks, reminds us – and those we are with – that life is a gift and not a race and that what we eat is often provided by people who have very little compared to us.
Might be silent. Might be from a book of graces. Might be very short.
Making time to give thanks reminds us of all we have forgotten to be thankful for.
If you know of some good resources to help with this – even some collections like the recent one from the Iona Community – add them to the Comments below.
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04 Oct 2005
Easier to do at home, harder when visiting my parents, who aren’t Christian. Also, it becomes easy to forget, for some reason.
04 Oct 2005
Easier to do at home, harder when visiting my parents, who aren’t Christian. Also, it becomes easy to forget, for some reason.
31 Oct 2005
Went on holiday recently with someone who encouraged us to get back into the habit. It’s good to express gratitude, since it reminds us of all we have been given.
Oxford, GB , 03 Nov 2005
I used to know someone that did it silently before every meal (even in the chip shop!) I found it both challenging and profound, yep ill give this a try!
07 Nov 2005
Shane and I say grace at every meal time, whether we or at home or in a resturant. It is nice to be able to bear witness so simple whilst adhearing to our christian needs, in thanking God.
11 Nov 2005
We always give thanks and ask a blessing over our food, in the car with chips, on a picnic, anywhere and everywhere.
14 Nov 2005
We have done this since we have been married. Even though I struggle with faith, I still feel the need to express gratitude for all that we have.
It is easier to do at home. We have a grace dice with 6 graces to use when lacking inspiration or to avoid the awkwardness of spontaneous prayer in front of friends who do not practise any faith. When we have vistors from other faiths, we tend to invite them to say the prayer of thanks. Away from home we do not push the issue, but friends and family now sometimes invite us to say grace when we visit them.
Birmingham, GB , 15 Nov 2005
I’ve been brought up to do this, we always did as a family, but I participated more out of habit than anything else. It was during a trip to Uganda that I really got why – there, we were given some coke and biscuits as a welcome snack after a long journey, and they prayed for the tiny amount of drink and food, that it would sustain us. I initially thought it was quite funny, until I realised that was as much as some of the locals with us would eat that day. Has really brought home the meaning of thanking God for everything he provides for us, even if in this country it doesnt necessarily feel like it came directly from him. Now we try and do it, even if we’re at restaurants, which can be a bit funny, but essentially, God has provided us the means for our ‘daily bread’!
29 Nov 2005
Was really struck by this one – when travelling I met some fantastic people who always make a point of giving thanks before meals – and they werent christians.
I definitely “could do better” at this one
06 Dec 2005
We got hold of the Iona ‘Grace’ book in the SPring and it’s completely brilliant for an easy way into giving a moment of thanks before eating – with your immediate family or with your friends. Anyone can choose one and read one and many of the graces are quite groovy and not too naff.
02 Jan 2006
I learnt recently that is a Buddhist practice to eat ‘mindfully’ – that is, taking time to appreciate each mouthful with gratitude. I thought I would try this practice from a Christian perspective, eating a meal with ‘thankfulness’. I found that it helps me to really appreciate the food, its provision from God and the cook’s efforts; It stops me from chattering through the mealtime (you can’t chatter and concentrate on the goodness of the food!); and it means that I eat more slowly and digest the food better. OK, so it’s not always practical (e.g. when you get invited out to dinner) but you can do it at home.
04 Jan 2006
I’m a huge fan of eating my food very very hot so I always feel impatient when someone launches into a lengthy grace before I can tuck in. So instead of saying grace I’m going to light a candle just before each meal. That gives us all time to think – but not so long the food goes cold!
Leicester, GB , 04 Jan 2006
We have done this as a family since before the children were born- more than 20 years. I never thought of using a book – we took turns to say a short prayer of thanks. We had students staying with us for many years and we told them that we did this and why and they were very gracious. We even held hands. When other family members came for meals they join in too. I thought it might change when the chilren grew up but they still participate. We pray at the beginning of long journeys too. The brief “bedtime”prayers faded as the children went to bed independently but these ones continue. Does anyone else feel uncomfortable about being reminded about the starving millions in a grace? It doesn’t make me more grateful – just guilty.
09 Jan 2006
Used to do it religiously, fell out of the habit, now trying again
Nashville, Tennessee, US , 25 Jan 2006
In regard to “what we eat is often provided by people who have very little compared to us,” I’ve read that the sufferings of the poor “often cry out to us from our dinner plates.” Saying grace blesses those who labored to bring us our meal AND reminds us to, whenever possible, make conscious choices about the food we buy.
12 Feb 2006
We find that our children remind US to say grace now. We get some funny looks when we eat out but who cares!
Godalming, GB , 15 Feb 2006
A spoken grace needs the aquiescence of those we eat with, in my opinion, otherwise it could be seen as us forcing our ways onto them.
I like the idea of lighting and also of eating mindfully. As the rest of my family aren’t keen on saying grace I shall try to do these instead.
27 Feb 2006
Been trying this for a while, and it seems to be going quite well, although sometimes I would have taken a bite of my food before remembering!
27 Feb 2006
We use mealtimes as an opportunity to thank God for one another (as well as the food). Easily done as each person says thank you for the person on their right and then the last person says ‘and thank you for our food’. I guess this only works with more than two people!
Newport, GB , 15 Mar 2006
We are doing really well at this and one of our 2 year olds is now joining in. He closes his eyes , puts his hands together and says ‘Amen’ loudly at the end. He is also a good reminder because when we sit at the table he repeats over and over again ‘Say Amen, first’ The other little lovely refuses to join in and when we have finished grace he says ‘Jack wouln’t do it!’
01 Apr 2006
Have always done this.Its a great way of encouraging children to pray out loud, especially when they’re teenagers & don’t really do uncool things like that. It also causes great hilarity when adult children come home & Dad prays the grace he always prays. A lot of gentle ribbing takes place.
06 Apr 2006
Not being the remotest bit religious, I would find it hypocritical to say grace but I think a moment of silence and an appreciative look at my family might do the trick.
17 Apr 2006
We have just started doing this, supported by a delightful little book called Common Prayers Collection by Leunig which we picked up in a charity shop. He is an Australian artist and illustrates the book himself. The prayers are simple, to the point, highly relevant and refer to seasons, thanks, nature, our lives evolving as human beings.
01 May 2006
At the Montessori nursery where I work we always say grace before lunch. It is good to give thanks for what we have when so many have so little.
03 May 2006
Being thankful is something I really want to focus on, so Im surprised at how hard Im finding it to remember this. I suppose it involves changing the habits of a lifetime, to remember to take a moment before eating….
13 Jun 2006
Im really struggling with this….anyone have any good tips on reminding yourself?
Hull, GB , 21 Jun 2006
Food is so available for the fortunate in the developed world. We are trying this as a household way of remembering those less lucky.
Plaistow, GB , 04 Jul 2006
We’ve always done this even in restaurants but sometimes forget when we’re in a hurry. We bought a ‘grace cube’ from a Christian bookshop, as the kids’ prayers were always the same, but we don’t use all the prayers on it as one is a bit obscure. So we choose the prayer we feel like praying atthe time.
18 Jul 2006
I don’t see why some this is such a Christian thing.
I guess the problem comes with WHO you give thanks to. As Pagans we give thanks to nature this seems to be pretty well accepted by everyone even Christians. It doesn’t stop them from saying thanks to anyone/anything else.
The idea of a heavy dose of any religion with a meal is unappealing to many. Perhaps they can just take a moment to think about the food and how it got to the table.
Food is not the only thing we need to give thanks for, we need to appreciated everything that nature gives us, from sunny days, to that perfect life partner.
Blessed be
27 Jul 2006
At the school I teach in we’ve traditionally said Grace before and after meals – we have had a ‘family service’ style lunch with staff serving at the end of each table. However we’re about to move to cafeteria style, where the conveyor belt of pupils will put an end to the opportunity to say thanks…. I know this will be on the agenda to address when we get back. Meanwhile at home, its an ongoing process to talk about our food, where it comes from, and how lucky we are with our three year old….
04 Aug 2006
Inspired by your comments! Thanks to Frangellica and Liz Ford. I’m printing off your comments so that I can stick them on my cooker – just to remind me as I prepare the meal.
22 Aug 2006
Frangellica—that’s the way I see this action. I (at the moment, as you never know what the future holds) don’t adhere to any religion, strictly, but most of my spiritual practices are drawn from Buddhism and Hinduism. I have been trying to eat more mindfully… And going from a rapid-eater, done-in-5-seconds (this comes from my mum), to a mindful eater is a challenge! But I find my favourite part is taking care and focusing while I prepare food in an almost meditative way.
25 Aug 2006
We tend to sing grace.. and try our hardest to just say it when we’re out but the children always insist on holding hands and being as lairy as possible! Bless them!
31 Aug 2006
I do give thanks (usually when I’m not at home)so I aim to give thanks when I’m eating food I prepare (not that my thanks is in any way related to my cooking ability).
wolverhampton, GB , 31 Aug 2006
My 4 year old & 2 year old love saying grace before meals. I have to fight for the right to say it!
To hear my boy thank God for his chips, peas, drink, friends, (..and sometimes it goes onto many other things!) is such a precious moment and an important reminder of all the good things I have been given.
Ilford, GB , 08 Sep 2006
This action has been on my list for ages, but I keep forgetting, I want to take a short silent moment before I eat, any tips on how I can develop this as a habit?
16 Sep 2006
We generally give thanks before a meal, but tend to get carried away, and the meal starts getting cold! Puts everything in perspective though, to say thanks that we have been provided for in some way! Although I like the idea of singing grace, perhaps it wont be so long lol.
18 Sep 2006
I recently bought a grace dice on a youth weekend I was part of andthis has been a great way to introduce thanksgiving at meal times with my kids. To be honest it has been good for me too and pausing to give thanks makes you appreciate what you have so much more.
GB , 26 Sep 2006
I find this helpful particularly when it has been a rush to get the food to the table and hasstle to get everyone together to eat.
Lancaster, GB , 30 Sep 2006
We try and do this at least once a week, often on Sunday (but not exclusively) – just to say thanks for the abundance of food we have, thanks for those who grew it and prepared it…
Keeping it short but mindful I think is the key.
Food prepared and eaten ‘in good grace’ ie with love is supposed to taste better and do you more good – don’t ask me how but it’s worth remembering. I wonder if that’s where the idea of ‘saying grace’ originated from?
13 Oct 2006
My first action! We’ve been doing this for a while in our household anyway and i think it’s brilliant…..i am a real food lover so it’s sometimes easy just to rush straight into eating and finish the meal in 10minutes flat without even a thought! Saying grace before the meal just gives you a moment to appreciate what you’re about to eat and remember who’s blessed you with it!
14 Oct 2006
I chose this action for our kids to do because it was something they could contribute. We have always said grace since my husband and I were kids ourselves, but it’s been much more of a ceremony since our own kids were old enough to join hands around the table. My daughter Danni (3 1/2) says grace beautifully and you can tell how much she likes what she’s about to receive by how short grace is – short means ‘get on with it!’ Our tiny son (16 months) babbles his own grace now too, in which only ‘ankoogod’ and ‘amen’ is recognisable. Often it’s the only time we pray together as a whole family and it adds to the sacredness of shared meals too. Loving it!
15 Nov 2006
If you have a young family member that wants to say thanks before a meal but takes a little while to say it then you can speed it up with a quick ‘1,2,3,4,5, thank you God that I’m alive, 6,7,8,9,10 thank you for this food. Amen’ Especially good if you are hungry!
Rushden, GB , 24 Nov 2006
We have just taught our 2 year old son to say “Thank you Jesus, Amen” and our 6 year old still wants to say her grace too so we have two graces before every meal! Can I sign up twice?!
!!
03 Jan 2007
We do this anyway and have both been brought up to do this but sometimes I feel it’s out of habit rather than genuine thankfulness so we need to be more thoughtful about it.
Cambridge, GB , 08 Feb 2007
John and I have been doing this since before we were married, but now we have children they have started squabbling over who gets to say it. We generally get a rather gabbled “Thank you God for all of our food.”
23 Feb 2007
I will now do this.
GB , 08 Mar 2007
I used to do this more than I do now, particularly living on my own… but I like the idea of making it a holy moment, even if a short one, remembering who it is that sustains me.
Liverpool, GB , 14 Apr 2007
For some reason it’s easy to do this when eating with other Christian friends, but hard to remember when on my own at home. I’ve said before I’ll try to do it regularly & failed – hoping signing up here will be the prompt I need!
13 May 2007
Realised we’re finding the ‘planetary’ actions much easier than the ‘faithful’ ones. Like others we think to say grace much more easily when other Christians have come for dinner rather than when it’s just us. We recently stayed a few days with friends who had established the habit of praying a simple prayer of thanks for the day with their toddler each bedtime, and after joining in with them, we are now doing so each night with our little boy, and finding it a special time. Are going to seek to remember to thank God for his goodness at other times too, like before meals.
Huddersfield, GB , 28 Aug 2007
We say grace at every meal we spend together (normally evening meal). There is no guarantee that life will always be this easy so we thank God that we are fortunate enough to eat from the four corners of the earth….
Its also good to eat as a family so both parents and children know how to socialise over a meal and see it as more than just getting food down your throat.
We unroll the days events and its a good way of noticing if something is unsetting or disturbing the children in the soical/school lives.
Oxford, GB , 12 Oct 2007
My 23 month old learned the word pray this week. Now when ever we sit down for a meal, she said ‘pray’. It’s great. She chooses who prays, which is sometimes her.
27 Oct 2007
Since we have been trying to give thanks, it amazing how often we forget until we are well into our meal! I think we are starting to gain a new appreciation for where our food has come from and who has prepared it.
19 Nov 2007
Our two children are good at reminding us if we forget to say grace. We are now putting together a “grace pot” – full of pieces of paper with graces old and new on them. At mealtimes we take it in turns to pick a grace and say it – unless someone wants to be spontaneous that is !
17 Dec 2007
I am very uncomfortable with ‘religion’, but I do try and remember to take a minute to appreciate the food that I am about to eat, and silently thank the power of nature that enabled my food to grow and the people that grew it. I hope to take this a step further soon and give Reiki to my food before eating.
17 Dec 2007
Was very humbled in Zambia when I was offered a glass of water by a fellow pastor. He said a prayer of thanks for it before we drank.
30 Dec 2007
We have always done this at Sunday lunch but at no ther time, crazy really. So will try and buold it back into our lives, not just from the christian aspect
Port Hadlock, WA, US , 09 Mar 2008
We’re not Christian, but practice a nature based faith. I have been collecting prayers and blessings from various traditions in a little leather journal I found at the thrift store, including meal blessings, and encouraging my family to join me in blessing and giving thanks for our meals. I need to be more diligent about doing this regularly.
Port Hadlock, WA, US , 09 Mar 2008
We’re not Christian, but practice a nature based faith. I have been collecting prayers and blessings from various traditions in a little leather journal I found at the thrift store, including meal blessings, and encouraging my family to join me in blessing and giving thanks for our meals. I need to be more diligent about doing this regularly.
Edinburgh, GB , 04 May 2008
I don’t follow any faith, but before/during a shared meal, my flatmates and me all join hands and say ‘blessings on the meal’. This felt weird at first, but I find it’s a really nice thing to do and is suitably generic (you’re thanking whoever you personally wish, whether it’s a higher power or simply the chef). A new addition (mainly for the kids) is to rub our hands together and say ‘rub-a-dub dub, thanks for the grub’
Haywards Heath, GB , 27 May 2008
i get the kids to think about where their meal came from and thank those that provided it – the farmer, the land, the guy that got it from the farmer to where we bought it etc (hopefully this year i’ll be getting most of the thanks re the veg!) the girls especially make a point of thanking the chickens whenever we take their eggs. it feels only right to say thanks to all those that provided