Do you pray--say grace--when you're eating out at a restaurant?

Question

Has anyone ever harassed or scoffed at you? Just curious

I'm a Humanist and don't pray, except when I'm out with my grandchildren. It's their mother's wish that they be reared as Baptists.

IdahoMike: It's not for God that I pray with my grandchildren, it's for them and to honor their mother's choice that her children pray before each meal. They're still young enough that they need an adult to lead them, so I do.

I've never scoffed at anyone praying in public--I've always believed in freedom of conscience--but a couple big-mouths seated near us tried to make a scene at lunch today. I think I handled it well, and it gave me a good opportunity to talk to the kids about how to show respect for other people who might be different from them.

Answer 1

I do not laugh at anyone who is thankful for the food they eat.

Answer 2

i do. sometimes people are watching and it feels kind of funny. and sometimes people who you think are looking are surprised to see someone praying in public. A lot of times I've had people come up and say that they noticed me praying and they were touched. To think in today that some people aren't ashamed of their faith. I think that there are 2 ways to handle the situation do as you have been. or explain to them that you have a different belief but that doesn't mean that you are any better or worse for it.

Answer 3

I'm a 21 y.o person and when I go out to eat I do pray/say grace. I love God, the one who gave that food to have. It does not matter to me if people look at me strangely. I have the right to do so and I only say grace alone to myself if I am out with some friends that do not beleive in God or they just don't do it. There should be no shame in worshipping your own God and giving thanks

Answer 4

I do... usualy silently. If I am with others who do not I will stop at some time before entering and say my prayer then. Prayer should not be made a public intrusion on others... for you to pray as you describe is not apropriate as you clearly do not believe and it is not heard by God anyway... let the young ones do as they have been taught...

Answer 5

No. Now that I've moved out of my parents house, I'm not forced to pray over food anymore. They do in restaurants sometimes, but they quietly whisper is and I don't think anyone's noticed.

Answer 6

Yes, I said grace--just this morning!. No I never get hassled. Usually a few people stare behind my back but several times people say their own grace after I have said mine. I think that's the only way to be sure to ward off foodborne illness.

Answer 7

I honestly think that a restaurant is not the place for that. It takes away from the spirit with having all of the other people eating dinner, making conversation, and other things around your table. If you had a private room or something like that then I could understand.

Answer 8

Yes. We are very open about our faith and pray in restaurants. We don't make a scene but we certainly don't hide either.

Answer 9

Anything i want in life, i pray for. I constantly thank the creator for giving me a lot in life. I am very lucky.

Answer 10

well when I'm out in public I usually say a little prayer in my heart before I eat. But when at home my whole family tries to have a prayer before we all eat and it's said out loud. (If we remember too)

Answer 11

Prayer is from the heart and is silent in its covenant with God. Why make a scene anywhere in prayer?