Looking for a mealtime prayer..?

Question

I understand that it should come from the heart, but this is something new to me that I feel I want to do, and I am looking for some advice or the right words that might express how I feel until I get comfortable enough that it will just flow out of me.

Please no pranksters just for the 2 points. We've all heard "Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub" and "Good veggies, good meat....Good God let's eat"

And those two "jokester" type prayers I dont find very respectful. I am looking for something a little more "heart Felt" that I can agree with.

My best guess is that because I am of the Catholic upbringing I am more used to a structured style prayer, but hopefuly through the multiple suggestions I might be reminded on how to pray from the heart, and still keep a touch of (for lack of a better term) respect or eloquence.

P.S. That is definately not a bash at anyone or any style of prayer.

Soooooo many good answers.....please check back as I will for sure put this to vote for those that might care about points. Thank you so much everyone....so far you have all been an inspiration.

Answer 1

In scouts, we liked this one... it's usually sung and called the "Johnny Appleseed Grace"

Oh, the Lord's been good to me
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need
The sun, and the rain, and the apple seed
The Lord's been good to me.
Amen!

Answer 2

Each prayer that I say at mealtime is from the heart, so they are all different. I thank God for the meal and the quiet time alone, or the person that I am sharing with, or something else after thanks for the meal. I might thank God for our comfortable home and then ask for Him to protect our children today/tonight.

Here is a standard part of my meal prayers,

Thank you Lord for this food and this company to share it with today. Bless this food with the strength and energy to carry out your will through this day.

If I am in a restaurant, I like to add,
Let this moment of meditation be an inspiration to someone in this room and bring them closer to you.

These words are cleansing and gracious. I feel closer to Him and I feel as though I have prayed for more than just myself.

Peace to you always

Answer 3

your right that it should come from your heart. I try to stay away from recited prayers. They sometimes become a habit instead of truly speaking you heart. I have a hard time praying too. I know kind of what i would like to say but the words just wont come out. God knows your heart and what you would like to say. So just don't sweat it. Go with the flow. It doesn't have to be long or using big words. The Lords prayer in Matt. 6:9-13 is a good guideline.

the model prayer: first Honer him, second Thank him, third forgive me, fourth guide me.

Father God, How awesome you have been to me. Thank you for your grace and mercy. thank you for whatever it is He has done for you. Bless this food and nourish my body. Forgive me for the stupid things I have done today. Guide me Father and help me overcome the trials that lay in my path. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Answer 4

When Jesus prayed over his food at the Last Supper, and at other times in the New Testament, it says He gave thanks and broke bread.
That simplicity aside, I am sure that you have heard or read the Model prayer, The Lords Prayer. Take time to study that. Read each line and see what it means.
Our Father who art in Heaven. That is an opening, a praise to our God. You are saying, God you are high on your throne exalted lifted up. I thank you that you are seated in heaven. That you are above all things.

Prayer will come easy for you in time. Don't look for formal prayers that are recited. That not what Jesus wants. He wants to hear from your heart.

Lord, I thank you today. I love you today. Your word says that you will provide for me. I have the freedom to sit at a table and say your name.

Read the book of the Gospel of John. esp. chapter 17 where Jesus prays for us. It is an awesome chapter.

Be blessed, I know the Lord will be filled with Joy and you start talking and growing in Him.

Learning to pray is not slapping the "Supreme Being?" in the face. Don't be silent. Jesus says in the teaching of the model prayer, "say" that means speak. God knows that you are learning. You can little steps, it's okay. If you can only say. thank you Lord for the meal that I am eating. Bless it to my body, and make it for you glory and honor. in Jesus Name. Amen.
That will do, you get comfortable. God knows your heart.

Answer 5

A mealtime prayer or saying Grace is simply a prayer of thanksgiving.
It doesn't have to be a long, holier than thou art sounding prayer,just talk to GOD like you would say to your best friend but without being able to see them!
THERE ARE NO RIGHT OR WRONG WORDS WHEN THEY COME FROM YOUR HEART.
Start off with short one or two sentence Prayers,as you start to feel more and more comfortable SPEAKING OUT ALOUD They will start to flow.
For example:
Dear LORD GOD Almighty
I praise and thank you for this food and all the blessings you pour out on me daily. I love you LORD and i praise your holy name thank you for every thing In Jesus mighty name AMEN

Answer 6

Well.... my dad always said "Good bread, good meat, good God, let's EAT!"

but then again.. he was not a very religious man...

Basically, you should thank Heavenly Father for the food that you have and ask that it might nourish your body. You do not need a long drawn out prayer talking about the state of the world and how can you stop global warming... etc... save that for your evening prayers...

you might ask for help in food preparation so that your next meal might taste better than the food that your 6 yr old son brought to your bed on your birthday too! (JUST KIDDING!!! *GriN*)

Answer 7

Have you ever heard of Conversational prayer. It's where you just talk to God like he is there with you. We usually Thank God in our own words(you don't have to use any special lingo) for the blessing of the day,Thanking Him for a guest is nice, or something that happened or was prevented and then you can add a request for help at the end Like God bless and protect Grandma during her surgery tomorrow or something. Or please bring peace in the Middle east or anything.

Nothing is too small or too big to speak to Him about!!

Oh Fyi did you ever see National Velvet the one with Audrey Hepburn? I am always struck because the family in the movie gave thanks AFTER the meal. I checked and the bible does say that we should give thanks for meals. Not when. It sort of makes sense to thank for the meal when you are done if you think about it. We pray first but Hey as long as you are grateful........

Answer 8

Aside from all the cutesy kid prayers (God is gracious, God is good, Let us thank Him for our food, etc.), you could try simply thanking Him for each thing you're going to eat. You can also thank Him for the people who worked to provide it (farmers, factory workers, etc.). You can ask Him to bless the people in the world who don't have much to eat, also. It may sound simple, but if you're genuinely grateful, that is all that matters. God listens to the simple words just as much as he listens to the elegant prayers on Sunday mornings. Good for you that you want to start praying. I need to work on that, myself. Maybe I'll take my own advice. :)

Answer 9

I think any prayer is good to bless a meal. Do you think everyone who is eating is thinking about the food? I don't. Stick with it and just speak the words that are on your heart. They will come.

Answer 10

How about "Thank you fine farmers for growing this food and bringing it to our table. Thank you cook for taking the time to make this food. I am so grateful I am not starving and am able to eat a meal every day. Thank you associates at the store for keeping this food fresh and edible and lacking mold." That sounds good.