I grew up in the rural South in the 1950's. An expression I used to hear in the "table prayer," and still do

Question

was --- "And bless this food to the nurishment of our bodies."
have always wondered where that expression came from. If the man or woman who first said or wrote that had gotten a "trade mark," or whatever it is called, on that expression and received a royality each time it was used, he would be a multimillionaire! Do you have any idea when and where it was first used?

Answer 1

A lot of folk in Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and other states with a Southern heritage still say the phrase in their prayers, too. Sorry, I don't know when it first got started either but it's been around a long time. It sure sounds good, though!

Answer 2

I am not sure but Jesus said at Matt 6 Give us this day our daily bread. I have read somewhere that this prayer is used by LDS. But they could have gotten it from somewhere else. We as little kids were taught :
God is gracious,
God is good.
Let us thank him,
for our food. amen

One of the kids I knew came up with this one:
In the name of the Father, the Son,and the Holy ghost
whoever eats the fastest,gets the most. Kids , you gotta love em LOL!

Answer 3

Prayer Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord, amen.



Prayer After Meals

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, Who livest and reignest forever. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Answer 4

Yes, that's an original idea and ought to have been registered!

Answer 5

I was raised in California in the '60's around Mormons and they use it all the time at the table.

Oh yeah, sorry to hear about your southern rearing. My prayers are with you.

Answer 6

Jesus doesn't need a million dollars.

As they were eating Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it and broke it....

Mathew 26:26

Answer 7

it is a biblical - jewish and christian- practice