How many Pray in restaraunts?

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We usually pray at restaurants. Our 3 year old likes to say “Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. Thank you for this food. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.” It’s very sweet.

Usually the other kids will ask to pray too. What a joy to be so free.
 
Our family usually does, quietly, together. If I forget my children will initiate it.

We do say it quietly, and not out loud for all to hear. I usually make a minimized sign of the cross, although the little ones go full bore. It isn’t that we are embarassed, but we do respect other people who might be put off for various reasons and I believe it is in line with Paul’s teachings not to use our freedom in a way that offends others who are weaker in faith.

Jesus did say not to pray out in public so everyone can see, so I doubt he wants us to pray together in public in a loud voice so everyone can marvel at how devout we are. We don’t exactly hide it either, so I figure people who are looking at us anyway have effectively consented to knowing what we’re doing.

Alan
 
Oh, yeah. Normally we say “Bless us O Lord…” but once in a long while (every few years) I use one that our pastor said at a mother-and-son breakfast about 35 years ago:

“Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Fastest eater gets the most.”

Alan
 
Great thread! I was thinking about actually posting this same question.

We pray at restaurants, and if my husband or I forget, our children remind us. (ages, 12, 11, 7)

I have never witnessed anyone else praying in restaurants though.
 
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conniejean:
I have never witnessed anyone else praying in restaurants though.
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I’ve never either.

We started just recently to pray before meals at home and I’m afraid of freaking my wife out if I suggest praying when we’re eating out too. I think that she’s already been brave by saying grace when my brother was over…

Thank God He is patient and merciful.
 
We always say our prayers in restaurants. All together, but silently. Not out loud like at home. However, one day at a fast food restaurant with my 2 youngest, I was busy getting a high chair for the baby and drinks while my 4 year old was at the table. A lady passed by me on the way and told me that she saw my son saying his prayers before he started eating. She was impressed. I thought that it was pretty sad that something like a child saying his prayers before eating was so rare that someone was surprised to see it. But I did tell her I was proud of him for remembering! :)…and a little child shall lead them?
 
We always pray. Sign of the cross and all.

I was leading a group of Singles on a cross country trip (from Chicago to New Jersey and Back). There were 18 of us. We would pray at every meal. At one stop, the waitress moved the tables so we could all sit together (like a big banquet table). With one on each end and 8 along each side I had to raise my voice a little to pray over the meal. As I started praying, I noticed other people in the restaraunt bow their heads too.

You never know who you are going to effect.
 
I pray before all meals, whether in public or private, and bless myself. I do make the distinction of saying the prayer in a less audible voice when in public.

I also bless myself when passing all Catholic, Orthodox, and Assyrian Churches since these Churches have apostolic succesion and reserve the Eucharist.

Anastasios
 
I pray before meals in public (although sometimes I forget). It’s a good form of evangelization. Do not be afraid nor be ashamed to make the sign of the cross. We glorify Jesus each time, we should not be ashamed of Him.
 
I go out to restaurants with my brother (who is a priest), so there is not escaping the fact if I forget to say grace before the meal.

I use the time also to show my Catholic faith and not hide it in public. I feel like a radical for Christ in this matter.

go with God!
Edwin
 
We always pray at restaurants. We make the sign of the cross, too.

We don’t do it to be holier than the others, but to remind ourselves and any one who might notice, that we are grateful God’s bounty in our lives.

You may be the one to help a struggling, doubting soul that prayer is still helpful.

My other thought that I teach my kids when they are little that one never knows if they were the only reason a person smiled that day.

It is a real gift to help someone smile. We call if face lift therapy.
 
I used to be very discreet when I prayed in a restaurant, but in the last year I openly bless my self as do most of my adult children and their families now do, before and after our quiet prayer. One reason we pray is to ask God to protect us from the food we eat as we have heard our share of horror stories, but also to bless all those who help to bring it to our table, from the farmer to the waitress, we then ask Our Lord to provide for those who have nothing to eat.
 
we pray in restaurants with pride. when we’re with friends, we encourage everyone to pray. maybe we’ll turn to the oldest child and say, “would you like to say grace?” it’s funny how many people in my predominantly catholic country get embarrassed by praying in public. we like to set an example to our children and other people.
 
I do.

I love reading all the posts about kids/family meals on this thread!!

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I always made the sing of the cross and I prayed in silence with my head bowed. It used to freak out my kids when they were teenagers. But I had the attitude; if they wanted to eat they had to run the risk one of their acquaintances observing us. As always, the belly prevailed.😃
 
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seeker63:
I’ve been in some restaurants that were so bad you pray after you eat.

[With apologies to Rodney Dangerfield for stealing his material.]
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:rotfl: :rotfl::rotfl:
Good one even if you stoled it. I pray quietly to myself.
 
We pray in restaurants & when we go thru a drive-thru.
We make the sign of the cross & pray “bless us o Lord…”
I don’t think I’ve ever noticed anyone else praying in restaurants though.
I know my parents never had us pray in restaurants or in the car, but come to think of it, we never ate at reataurants or in the car!

wyam
 
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EricCKS:
Our family prays at all meals at home. However, we do not make that transition to restaraunts. Perhaps fear of what people think etc.
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I’d been tracking this thread with interest, because we don’t pray in restaurants, only at home.

Well, yesterday my son was talking about it in his RE class and was surprised that his teacher suggested saying Grace at school. He said that we ourselves didn’t pray in restaurants…

I was ashamed of my bad example. Although I despise the efforts to remove religion from public places, in a way, I was teaching that by example.

I need to do something about it and my wife will probably freak out. Please, pray for us.

God bless.
 
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