What do you call it when you pray before a meal? In your mind is it “saying grace”, “giving thanks” or a “blessing”? Is it a spontaneous or a memorized prayer, a song, or simply a time to bow silently and individually before the Lord? In the Christian tradition a grace is explained as “a short prayer or thankful phrase said before or after eating imparting a blessing which sanctifies the meal”. Whether your meals are generally eaten in a family setting or all by yourself, this might be a good season to find ways to enrich those moments with some fresh thoughts and ideas. How about starting a file of some traditional table prayers or using a few verses from the praise Psalms to help you express in new ways your gratefulness and your desires? Would it help you to put the names of friends, missionaries, neighbors in a jar and then draw 1 or 2 of them out at suppertime just to remind you to ask God’s blessing and care for them? What are your own creative and inspired ideas?
From the Moravian tradition: “Be present at this table, Lord. Be here and everywhere adored. These mercies bless and grant that we may feast in fellowship with Thee.”
The Doxology – “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
“WHEN YOU PRAY . . .” – Fall study – beginning September 17 – November 18, 2021
Lessons can be viewed or printed – www.westudytogether.com
