Does your family say grace at a restaraunt?

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Yes, either as a group or quietly to ourselves. Our pastor showed me that you can make a small brief sign of the cross. Not that we should be embarrassed, but we don’t want to give others the impression that we are boisterous of our faith. I think there is a happy medium.
 
I know I DO,my non-Catholic family just keeps eating while I thank God for His blessings, in my heart, I also throw in an extra prayer that He will touch their hearts with his love. In His time.
 
Seeing that the word “say” implies the spoken word, I would have to answer no. But I always “think” grace in public. Not from shame or embarassment or anything like that, but because I believe that it’s what I’m called to do by Matthew 6:5-6:

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

That verse speaks to me, and that’s why I don’t “say” grace in public. But that’s me; I don’t hold anything against those who do.
 
My fiance and I most certainly do… sometimes it takes her reminding me, sometimes I am the one who remembers. But while our Sign of the Cross is unmistakable, our prayer itself is often quieter (so as to share it privately and not to impose on anyone else around us.) (And a plug for a quick prayer if you would… our wedding is in 18 days… please say a prayer for our life together if you wouldn’t mind. Thanks!)

Peace,
Michael
 
As a college-aged 20-something, YES!! 🙂 At least, I’m getting better at it anyway.

My family always did it only at home when I was growing up… then I moved out and drifted away from the faith. When I came back a couple of years ago, the large group of Catholic friends that I became a part of all showed no shame in their faith and I quickly followed their lead… This is definitely a private change for me, and when I am with people I know are either non-Catholic or do not usually say grace, I make the Sign of the Cross and say grace to myself – they usually know what I’m doing, but I don’t force the issue or make anyone else do it with me. But, I have noticed that my parents are starting to join me in prayer now when they come to visit me. 😃

Oddly enough, I have no problem praying grace in a public place, like a restaurant – the place where I do still get self-conscious for some reason is the college cafeteria (?!) And this is on a Catholic college campus for pete’s sake!! :o I’m getting better though, forcing myself to “be not afraid” and praying for the grace to say grace! 👍

MikeHalbrook said:
(And a plug for a quick prayer if you would… our wedding is in 18 days… please say a prayer for our life together if you wouldn’t mind. Thanks!)
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Absolutely, and congratulations!

:blessyou:

+veritas+
 
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Timidity:
Seeing that the word “say” implies the spoken word, I would have to answer no. But I always “think” grace in public. Not from shame or embarassment or anything like that, but because I believe that it’s what I’m called to do by Matthew 6:5-6:

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

That verse speaks to me, and that’s why I don’t “say” grace in public. But that’s me; I don’t hold anything against those who do.
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I hear what your saying, but I have to point out that the first part of this Bible quote specifically addresses those who pray in public so that others may see them. In other words, he is addressing the motive, not the practice.

If one’s motive is to give thanks and glory to God for the blessings of his providence, and one can be a sincere witness to Christ at the same time, that person does well.
 
Unfortunately, we have been remiss about saying Grace, either at home or in public. However, after reading all these wonderful posts, I am going to make a more concerted effort to thank the Lord both at home and when out. Thank you all!
 
It’s great to see that all of you say grace even while eating out at restaurants. Our family started doing this about a year ago. Our kids sometimes remind us if we forget-even at McDonalds. 🙂
 
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JaneL:
It’s great to see that all of you say grace even while eating out at restaurants. Our family started doing this about a year ago. Our kids sometimes remind us if we forget-even at McDonalds. 🙂
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YES, US TOO…EVERY MEAL. Cross ourselves and everything.

Of course the manager asked that we stop passing the collection plate, limit the sermon to 15 minutes and no more incense.:dancing:
 
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DeniseTOCarm:
Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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That’s how I always heard it growing up, too. But I changed it as an adult.

It doesn’t seems like a “real” grace to me, probably because we said only that part (and not the after-meal part). It seems to me that a grace should be a prayer of thanksgiving. Stoping before we eat to thank God for the meal that he has given us. As it stands, though, that is a prayer of intercession. Not a “thanks for this food,” but a “please bless me and this food.”

Kind of like if a stranger comes up and gives you $100 for no reason, but instead of thanking him, you ask him for more.

So I changed it for our household to: “Thank You, O Lord, for these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

But that’s just me. My daughter tells me I think about things too much. She’s probably right. 🙂
 
We almost always say Grace or at least make the sign of the cross in restaraunts.
 
We try to say grace quitely when eating. Sometimes it may slip one of our minds, but then we see one of us doing it and remember. I stoped saying grace for awhile during public high school. Now I make sure to say it even if I’m having a snack or drink. I am no longer worried what people will think if they see me praying before my meal.
 
Our family prays at mealtime everywhere! No matter the resturant or location. My husband even prays before meals while in foreign countries, including the Middle East. Iraq, Kuwait…
 
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