How should I say Grace?

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Sorry if this question sounds weird, but I’m new for lack of a better word. And I’m really not sure how to say grace before meals.
I am pretty scrupulous so I often say almost everything that comes to mind that I’m thankful for.
But that often takes quite a while. Should it be short? I’m likely overthinking this, but I’d appreciate some (name removed by moderator)ut.

Thanks in advance!
 
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
I pray as my parents taught me:

Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts,
Which we are about to receive
From thy bounty
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Short and sweet.
 
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Is that it? I say that at the end too, after I’m done saying everything I’m thankful for. I often and probably needlessly repeat it until I visualize every word in my head.

Thanks for the reply, God bless.
 
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I say that too, any the end of me saying what I’m thankful for. But like I said, I often And probably needlessly repeat myself until I visualize every word in my head. Maybe I should shorten things up.

Thanks for the reply. God bless.
 
Username7 said:
Maybe I should shorten things up.
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You should, because your meals will get cold if you start reciting everything you’re thankful for before you eat.
I had a great aunt who said very long graces and my grandpa finally told her to knock it off because people wanted to eat the food while it was still hot.
 
That happens to me, so yeah I’ll likely shorten it up. Thanks for the advice!
 
Yes, repetition is unnecessary. Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him,” and I think that goes for your thanks and praise as well. Try shortening things up.

If you are tempted to go on, just finish with a 1-second wordless prayer of love. If you’re not sure how to do that, imagine how a baby, who doesn’t know any words, would communicate when looking into his/her mother’s eyes.

Then enjoy your meal.
 
Username7 said:
Is that it? I say that at the end too, after I’m done saying everything I’m thankful for. I often and probably needlessly repeat it until I visualize every word in my head.

Thanks for the reply, God bless.
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If you want to add extra prayers on special occasions or times you feel extra thankful, that’s great.

However, on most days, you can just stick the traditional blessing.
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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However, if you really feel the need to lengthen your Blessing before Meals, my Baronius Press missal says the following:
Bless us, O Lord, and these
Thy gifts, which we are about to
receive from Thy bounty. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…

In the Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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God Bless
 
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Ah, ok. Sounds good! Thanks for the reply. I never thought of that. I’ll probably continue to mention things I’m grateful for, After saying the ‘bless us o lord.’ but I’ll try to stop with the repetition. Thanks again!
 
Ah, ok. I’ll likely now say the bless us o lord, then say a few things I’m grateful for, then end there. Thanks for the reply! God bless you.
 
Here is my personal prayer:

Lord, I thank You, I praise You, I bless You, I glorify You, I adore You, for in You I live and move and have my being (based on Acts 17:28).

Followed by:

Lord, bless those hands who have labored over this food, to bring it forth from Your creation to my table. In Your mercy, call them ever nearer the Sacred Heart of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

p.s. You can petition the Lord for help with scrupulosity, as it runs counter to the peace which the Lord leaves us, His peace which He gives us.
 
Ok, your prayers sound good too! And I should ask the Lord with help for my scrupulosity more often. Asking these types of questions to my priest had helped a lot. And my medication I’m on has maybe also helped some, as well as talking with a therapist. I’m truly blessed to have access to such amazing people, and resources to help me.

Thanks for your reply. God bless you.
 
For me I usually say " Thank you God All- Mighty for the food I am about to eat today, Now and forever, Amen
 
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? I hope so, as it is the gold standard in treatment for scrupulosity, anxiety and OCD.
 
“Benedictus benedicat” is quite sufficient if you like to use a Latin grace.
 
When I was growing up, my dad who was Lutheran, but not really practicing, always made us say grace, he would say something like “Bless us, O Lord for this thy bounty”, one thing I very much admired about my dad, is that he did know his Reliance on God. I usually say “Bless us O Lord for these thy gifts that we are about to receive”. Or something similar. I have to be honest, I’m just glad you’re saying it.
 
If that’s the one where you’ll write down the thought you had, then write out reasons why you won’t do it/reasons why it won’t happen? I do that sometimes, and it helps.
 
Worth saying perhaps, prayers of Repetition are all good if we say it and mean it, the lord prayer after all is prayer of repetition so reply 1 fine and only takes 25 secs food it’s still warm, but up to you all prayers of blessing are good.
 
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