Prayer while in restaurant

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rkberlin

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I was always wondering: how do you say your prayer before your meal while you’re in a restaurant with co-workers who don’t share your faith? Here’s my dilemma: I try and bow my head a little and say a quick prayer, but I don’t feel like I’m really doing a good job, it’s like I’m almost embarrassed that they might notice I say a prayer. One of the girls I went with the other day even made the sign of the cross before she ate, but I don’t dare. Is it stupid to feel that way? I feel guilty like I’m ashamed of my belief in our Saviour, which I SHOULDN’T be or have to be. Any suggestions?
Thanks
 
First of all, my family and I always pray before our meals in a restaurant. When with others, I do what your friend does. I pray silently, make the sign of the cross and eat. Most of my friends know how seriously I take my faith. If they have a problem with it, well, too bad! The sooner you get over the embarrasment, the sooner your faith will grow.
 
SU and I cross ourselves, and I pray out loud (but not ostentatiously), and then we cross ourselves again.

DaveBj
 
I am shy about praying in restaurants because I don’t want to seem “holier than thou” especially if I’m with non-Catholics. But I really do want to pray before I eat. So usually I bow my head but don’t do the sign of the cross. My kids just go all out and do the sign of the cross and pray. And they’re teenagers! 👍
 
Mrs P said:
I am shy about praying in restaurants because I don’t want to seem “holier than thou” especially if I’m with non-Catholics. 👍
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Hi Mrs P :tiphat:

Don’t forget we are called to be holy. To reject holiness is a rejection of Christ, because He is holiness personified.

1 Peter 1 :16 Because it is written: You shall be holy, for I am holy.
Leviticus 20 :26 You shall be holy unto me, because I the Lord am holy, and I have separated you from other people, that you should be mine.

God :blessyou:
 
But we are instructed too not to show off in public with our prayers. I think it is a private decision as to how public your grace should be in public; do what feels right for you. I just bow my head and say a silent 'bless us o lord" grace/prayer to myself when with others.
 
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rkberlin:
I was always wondering: how do you say your prayer before your meal while you’re in a restaurant with co-workers who don’t share your faith? Here’s my dilemma: I try and bow my head a little and say a quick prayer, but I don’t feel like I’m really doing a good job, it’s like I’m almost embarrassed that they might notice I say a prayer. One of the girls I went with the other day even made the sign of the cross before she ate, but I don’t dare. Is it stupid to feel that way? I feel guilty like I’m ashamed of my belief in our Saviour, which I SHOULDN’T be or have to be. Any suggestions?
Thanks
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I felt the same way for a long time. Now, I cross myself and say a silent Bless-us… I think the potential of the Holy Spirit being able to use this to help someone along the road to faith far outweighs the discomfort or embarassment I might feel. :rolleyes:
 
Be not afraid!!! And please, please don’t be embarassed to be an ambassador of Christ.
I once felt this way, but believe me, I wouldn’t think of not doing it anymore. My whole family prays in restaurants, even my 2 year old.
You are not doing anything offensive, just practicing your religious liberty. The days are coming when we won’t be allowed to publicly pray or cross ourselves, so do take advantage of it while we can! Plus, there are indulgences and graces given for reverent practice of the sign of the cross.
If someone gets offended (which is their problem, not yours) remember our Lord words, "“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt.5:10 😉

🙂
 
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Jennifer123:
The days are coming when we won’t be allowed to publicly pray or cross ourselves, so do take advantage of it while we can!
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Why would you think this?
 
We pray all the time when we are in restaurants. No one has ever thrown us out of any of them, and we have never gotten strange stares. I think it is a perfect witnessing of our faith and a practice we are proud to profess. Try it! I guarantee it is catching on.
 
I bow my head and say a silent prayer and trace a small cross on my forehead to bless myself…this way it does not draw any attention.:gopray:
 
Darn tooting I do!

I try to make sure I sit across from the JW as well. 😃
 
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rkberlin:
I was always wondering: how do you say your prayer before your meal while you’re in a restaurant with co-workers who don’t share your faith? Here’s my dilemma: I try and bow my head a little and say a quick prayer, but I don’t feel like I’m really doing a good job, it’s like I’m almost embarrassed that they might notice I say a prayer. One of the girls I went with the other day even made the sign of the cross before she ate, but I don’t dare. Is it stupid to feel that way? I feel guilty like I’m ashamed of my belief in our Saviour, which I SHOULDN’T be or have to be. Any suggestions?
Thanks
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BE BOLD in your faith. Take time to pray, especially in restaurants … it makes a good witness. I cross myself too.

When out family goes out, we stop and pray together, even if there are people who don’t share our faith.
 
When I’m with my family or other Catholics, we bless ourselves with the sign of the cross and pray out loud (but not loudly)…when I’m with people who don’t pray, I bend my head and say a silent prayer. It’s not out of embarrassment or fear, but it’s more out of not wanting them to be uncomfortable and not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to myself among those I’m sitting with, although most know what I’m doing for those few brief moments anyway.

Penitent
 
Only if the food is really bad…😃

seriously, i am not into the plubic displays of prayer or affection… but that’s why i like the mask…👍
 
It all depends on the place you are eating at. That makes a huge differece.

I know Im not alone on this one.
 
I pray it inside as a silent prayer that is between the Lord and me!

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Mt 6:5- 6).
 
Gratias Grace:
I pray it inside as a silent prayer that is between the Lord and me!

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Mt 6:5- 6).
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True, but how about “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden?”
It seems to me that even within your quote, one’s intention has a lot to do with it.
 
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drforjc:
True, but how about “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden?”
It seems to me that even within your quote, one’s intention has a lot to do with it.
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Hi drforjc! 🙂

I think that there are different places for different “things”. If I use a bus or a train I often pray the Rosary. The Rosary is in my pocket. I use the peals with one hand (doing that discrete so nobody notice). The prayers are said inside myself only (no moving of lips). Why?

It’s in public. I like to use that time in prayer, but I don’t have to demonstrate it for everybody else (Mt 6:5- 6).

I would have been looked upon as a nerd if I did it aloud. That, to be seen as a nerd, would not have been a good demonstration of my catholic faith.

In Church, the House of God, I can move my lips and pray in silence, if I want to pray, and not are up to disturbing others that also are there to pray. The Church is a place were prayers are to be done. Other people will take no notice of me, because they are used to praying people in the House of God.

A restaurant is a public place, like the bus and the train. I prefer to make the prayers before and after meal, inside myself in silence. I would have felt like I was on a DEMONSTRATION if I praid aloud.

But I can see your point of view, too. Christians are supposed to pray before meals. Everybody knows that!. In a society where more and more people pick and chose what to believe (and even stop to believe in God), to se a happy family praying before and after meal, may touch someone else, - i.e. be the first step in a long journey home for a lost soul!

With that said, I want to end this post with a reminder: People are different! If a family feel that their prayers said aloud in a restaurant are done in a close realionship to God, than this will be OK for both God and the family.

If another family or other persons don’t feel comfortable at praying aloud at a restaurant, their prayers will not be done in a close relationship to God (at the restaurant) if they are said aloud. The prayers must always be done in thanks and price to God (be related to Him), not done as a mecanical act. When these people pray (inside themselves and unnoticed by others at the resaurant) they are in a relationship with God, and that is what matters!

There are lots of ways to spread the good news about Jesus Christ ❤️ . It doesn’t have to be at the table in a restaurant! :coffee: :coffee:
 
Hi,

As A Family We Always Pray In A Restaurant. We Take Turns Saying Grace And Always Make The Sign Of
The Cross Beofre And After The Prayer.

If I Am In Mixed Company, I Would Still Make The
Sign Of The Cross, Say My Prayer, And Make The
Sign Of The Cross Again. Do Not Be Ashamed Of
Your Faith And Don’t Be Shy Either.

Remember, We Are Called To Be A Light In This Dark
World!

God Bless!
 
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