Ten points for the best answer... thanks to all who participate.
2006-10-24 16:15:10 · 43 answers · asked by Mike S 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If you really want to know my opinion on this...I'm really proud of them that their faith is so strong. I wish I had the courage to do that but who knows? Someday I will. Occasionally I see people in a restaurant praying over their meals before they eat, so I silently pray for them thanking God for letting me see this scene. It gives me hope.
Thank God for them.
2006-10-24 16:23:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is fine to do it if it is quiet and sincere. I haven't seen any group that's ever been annoying about it.
But I've seen some folk after "thanking God for their food and blessing the hands that prepare it" later on during the meal get overly nit-picky about the service and the food and discuss should they offer a smaller tip. Remember to show a measure of graciousness...like God has shown you. Waitressing is a tough job and they don't make much. Sometimes a waiter is having a bad day and they aren't as helpful as you like. It is every American's right to be able to complain about a restaurants service if it subpar, but you don't have to exercise it all the time...especially if it is at a cheap restaurant.
Also it give another reason for agnostics to call you hypocrites.
Can i get a witness (that won't make me look bad)?
2006-10-24 20:01:49 · answer #2 · answered by ciaobella 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've thought about this a lot, since I am one of those people.
I try to remember to pray over all my food, since I believe that it's important to show my gratitude to God. Whether or not I'm in public shouldn't determine my amount of gratitude, I think.
I don't think that I should necessarily do it to show people, although I can think of a couple of instances I know where praying in restaurants has given people a better impression of people with faith.
When I am with my friends who share a desire to pray, sometimes we will decide to each say our own silent prayer, and sometimes we will say a quiet prayer that we can hear, but we usually don't try to be heard by the whole restaurant.
If I see someone else praying in a restaurant (which I usually don't) it doesn't bother me.
2006-10-24 17:05:54 · answer #3 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get encouraged when other people pray before a meal at public restaurant's. I like to know who the other believer's are. Because we are one of the last countries to have the freedom to pray in public. And I think it's time we take advantage of it like we are and can now! I think it's a great idea and I love it when people pray in public!
2006-10-24 16:55:09 · answer #4 · answered by jrealitytv 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
With the reports I hear about employees at restaurants, spitting in food and worse..., I would say prayer before a meal might be the thing to do.
Besides - prayer before a meal is a wonderful thing. Be it at home or a public restaurant.
2006-10-24 16:38:28 · answer #5 · answered by Victor ious 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people pray before a meal in a restaurant, or where they are to partake in a meal ,because it is a practice they have grown with from their childhood, I see many people pray, before all meals. where ever they are, and no biggie, I, was raised to do as such weather some was with me ,or not it comes from, my faith in my Lord. and I have never felt ashamed or been asked why. I guess people know it is a right to pray for Your blessed meal. as you ,will never know if you will, have times of hunger, as we do here, in miami ,w/hurricanes, but if it bothers anyone they should just , join in silently. as we never pray out loud, or ,for a long time .
2006-10-24 17:57:44 · answer #6 · answered by lytesdelite 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm agnostic and I probably would pray over my meal as well if it were a public restaurant, you don't know what they do behind that counter. I heard some horror stories about what people do at fast food restaurants. It doesn't bother one bit that someone would pray before they ate.
2006-10-24 16:34:32 · answer #7 · answered by HiddenLee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First,Do you pray in public? I see nothing wrong with this pratice since it has been praticed in my families for as long as my memory can see.When my family goes out 3 children& spouses.+ 15 grandchildren we all do. with the eldest(me usually) then like at their homes , the youngest of each family has to have their turn.Like they do at home. If we teach the young to pray as soon as they can understand to bow and hold their neighbors hands,or their own - - how can you not do it in public,It is usually the children that remind of the prayer when out anyway. I think it is so sweet when the tots are learning to talk and usually one of the first things they say is A----men at the end of grace
2006-10-24 17:59:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are to follow Jesus' example....he thanked God for his meals. Our family is Catholic and we thank God for our meals, beginning and ending with the "sign of the cross." I ask for my food to be blessed whether I am in a restaurant, at home, in the company lunchroom, eating on the run in the car, or even eating TOTALLY ALONE!
I never do it for "show"...what would that gain? I am sincerely grateful for God's blessings. I also pray that my actions will speak to someones heart and remind them to be thankful as well.
According to the words of St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary."
2006-10-24 16:44:45 · answer #9 · answered by Annamaria 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More power to 'em! I pray quietly over the meal in a restaurant, and I'm not embarassed about it.
And given some of the restaurants I've eaten in, prayer may not help the food. . .but it sure couldn't hurt!
2006-10-24 16:18:14 · answer #10 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋