Do you pray before eating a Whopper?

Question

I ate at Burger King for lunch today and saw a family pause to pray before digging in.

Growing up, grace before meals was for family dinners eaten at the home. My mother would single out one of us kids, or defer to a guest, to say grace. But if the same people who were at that meal were to eat out the following night, we wouldn't pray before eating - the subject wouldn't even come up.

Do you pray before every meal, or just under certain circumstances? What is the logic behind your decision? What was your religious upbringing?

Answer 1

We always prayed prior to family meals, but were certainly expected to give thanks for the food we were about to consume silently, individually and without show when out and about. I believe it has to do with the concept that the kind of praying you described tends to be more for the benefit of the observers of the event to know how totally "religious" the performers are then to actually give thanks for the food being provided. It's a form of exhibitionism and it is self-serving by nature, not God serving. Praying is considered a good act and there is reference in the Bible to the fact that one should not brag on their good acts lest they diminish their worth in the eyes of God. I have similar regard for the performing of prayers at exact times of day IN PUBLIC, regardless of where the person is at the moment. Prayer is between an individual and God. Not an individual and the public at large. Public prayer at a religious gathering is totally different because individuals have gone there with the primary intention of showing and sharing their common belief in God. At Burger King one has gone there to consume food. Hope that made sense to you!

I noted someone said that the fact that it is being discussed here is a witness to the power of prayer. Fortunately, what it truly is, is a witness and discussion of the actions of a pair of parents who chose to to make a public spectacle of their children and themselves, and a group of people who are discussing how personal spiritual beliefs should be exhibited to the general public. THAT is the power of opinion and communication!

Answer 2

I don't pray at all. But, I think it is totally up to the person. If you are thankful for what you are about to eat, and you personally choose to pray...then pray. There is no right or wrong to this. However, just my personal opinion...I think praying in public is a little gaudy. (pardon my pun) I think that this should be saved for at home where it isn't on display for all to see. Also, if you pray ALL the time at EVERY meal it almost becomes routine...saying it just because that is what you do... (like for example saying I love you every time you get off the phone) It almost takes away the importance of the ritual, and makes it a common place redundant act.

Answer 3

Pray before every meal. It's not a meaningless ritual. Realize how blessed you are to be able to go to Burger King, not get thrown out of the place for your race, can afford to buy it, and that you're there with your family. Very few are as lucky as you. Thank God for that.

Answer 4

I pray before every meal, no matter where I am.
if I am going to eat at a restaurant, where I do not know how the food was prepared, then i am definitely going to pray over it.
I would much rather trust the food that my wife prepares than some strangers.

Answer 5

I know a lot of Buddhists who will pray for the well being of the people involved in preparing the food. It's custom for them. And for that reason I always join if somebody says grace - even if they thank the wrong person for the food.

Answer 6

I pray always and everywhere before eating as do my sons. To do otherwise would be to show shame for my faith and make myself a hypocrit. We do however do so unobtrusively and I see no reason why anyone should see an issue with this. I do not scream my faith but neither do I hide it. I was raised Baptist and am now Catholic but I have seen many of other faiths pray as well.

Answer 7

As a Muslim I pray five times a day in private. Today's schedule for prayer is between 3AM and 5AM, between 1PM and 6:30PM, between 6:30PM and 9PM, between 9PM and 11PM and between 11PM and bed. Washing before prayer is also required. I do this because God has instructed me to in the Qu'ran.

I was raised Agnostic and never went to church until I was 21. I also spent a significant part of my adult life preaching Atheism.

Answer 8

its a great wittness to see that just think that family never knew that grace at Burger King would be talk about on line all over the world prayer is powerful even at Burger King

Answer 9

my mother made us (and still makes us when the kids are home visiting) join hands and pray before every meal....Even in fast food joints, etc. I always hated that because it was SO embarrassing.

Answer 10

I pray before every meal. This was a decision my wife and I made when we were converted.

GOD bless