Saying Grace At Mealtime

Matt and I pray before we eat meals.  It was something we both did as children, but then we both dropped the habit as we moved out of our respective homes.  It was only a few years ago that we picked it up again.

Matt's family does a rather traditional German prayer and mine always did a traditional Catholic prayer.  I didn't know that at the time.  It was just something I discovered later and I learned more about prayer and various mealtime and bedtime prayers.

I am not sure what was the specific catalyst to picking it up again.  We're spiritual people.  We're thankful for all the blessings we've been given--and we know we've been given a lot.  So it seems like just the right thing to do.  To take a pause in this crazy world to be grateful is never a bad thing.  Never.  I think taking the time to be grateful just gives you more to be grateful for.

Most meals get a simple "Let this food to us be blessed," with a bowed head.  But, some days call for a special ad lib--like when family is visiting and we are grateful for the time with them and the safety of their travels, or when we're fresh back from the temples of the mountains and filled up with the spirit, and so on.

I let Matt lead grace, though I occasionally do chime in with any special ad libs I'd like included.  I don't know why Matt leads our prayer, but that feels right to me, too.

While we have landed on the prayer we offer before meals I do still like to read little prayer books.  I have an especial weakness for prayers from around the world and prayers of children.  I like to see how much we are all the same despite how much we are all different.  There is so much the same.

So here are a few that I've scribbled down that I thought were really nice little prayers.

It is my greatest hope that everyone can enjoy and give thanks for this wonderful day we've all been given, filled with blessing innumerable.

Madison Campground breakfast at YNP.

O God, Creator of Light: at the rising of your sun this morning, let the greatest of all light, your love, rise like the sun within our hearts. 
             – Armenian Apostolic Church (Lebanon)

Spring fresh asparagus and lentil sloppy joes on fresh rolls.

Thank you for the flowers that bloom by the road;
For the birds that sing in the trees;
For clear waters that gush from the springs;
For the bread we are about to eat.  Amen.
                -France

Mashing potatoes.

Father, who feeds the small sparrows, give us our bread and feed all our brothers.  Amen. 
                -France

Birthday Wacky Cake with coconut milk ice cream.

You who have worked,
Sit down at our table;
You who have labored,
Come, now, and eat
The bread of friendship.  Amen.
                -France

Grilled asparagus with salt and pepper.

Come, God, be our guest;
May our food thus be blessed.  Amen.
                -Germany

A YNP peanut butter and jelly/honey sandwich lunch.

For the beauty of our country paths and roads,
For today and for tomorrow;
For the bread which we eat;
For our good friends, too,
We thank you God.  Amen.
                -France

My very brown birthday dinner of all my favorites--falafel, country fried tofu, mashed potatoes, and a fresh white roll.  

Change my stubborn little heart
Into a happy little garden
Full of fresh flowers,
With snow white lilies, fine grass,
Even a nest of singing birds.  Amen.
                -Belgium