Should I pray before I eat?

[komeeks18]

I know many families do, but I’ve heard of some people who pray before and after eating. I do know some people who were taught to say “Our Father” before meals. My family doesn’t normally, except on some holidays. Anyway, I know I should pray before I eat, but what should I be saying and are there any prayers just about blessing the food & such?

 

[Catholic4Christ]

the old classic stand-by is:

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

But I’m sure the good Lord won’t mind a simple, ‘Lord, thank you for this meal.’

 

[lssanjose]

Elementary, but important, question. I remember taking in what I’m reading behind the bulletin glass at this Byzantine parish I visited, weeks ago (I, now attend Divine Liturgy as consistently as possible). I came across one of the pamphlets, saying, “Do All in the Name of the Lord.” In this case, eating, Offer thanks before, and after meals (which is said in the pamphlet).

I’ve been using the Orthodox version of grace, lately. But, I’ve been raised to say, "Bless us O’ Lord, for these gifts, which we’re about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen (I may be slightly off). You can also use your own creativity, when thanking God, before/after meals. I hope this helps.

 

[andreashofer]

I usually say:

“Lord, please bless this food which I am now receiving into my stomach. Amen”

When it comes from the heart, the food will not poison you and you will always eat what you need and not what you want.

And I always make the sign of the cross.

 

[Nigel7]

Here’s a page which provides prayers for just about anything you can think of… including your meals.

catholic.org/prayers/

Scroll down the the “pick a prayer” section.

 

[Rejoice_Always]

the old classic stand-by is:

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

It’s amazing how this prayer works before anything, not just meals! In my personal prayer life, I just call it Prayer Before.

I use a slightly amended version for after meals – or just after anything. I’ll put the amended after parts in italics.

Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts which we have received from thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. And remember all souls in Purgatory. Amen.

For non-Catholics, the last petition could be rendered, And remember all departed souls.

 

[fred_conty]

One form of the prayer before meals is:

“Father, we ask that you bless us and this food you have given us, through your son Jeus Christ. Amen”

It’s important not only to say a prayer before meals, but especially to say a prayer before starting the day by offering everything to God. This turns even the simplist acts and thoughts into prayer.

From Benedict XVI Spe Salve encyclical:

“There used to be a form of devotion—perhaps less practised today but quite widespread not long ago—that included the idea of “offering up” the minor daily hardships that continually strike at us like irritating “jabs”, thereby giving them a meaning… What does it mean to offer something up? Those who did so were convinced that they could insert these little annoyances into Christ’s great “com-passion” so that they somehow became part of the treasury of compassion so greatly needed by the human race. In this way, even the small inconveniences of daily life could acquire meaning and contribute to the economy of good and of human love.”

Here is just one form of the morning offering that is used.

“O Jesus, thru the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, and those of the whole world.”

 

[komeeks18]

Thank you for all of your replies! I appreciate them, and I will definitely star praying more! And thanks for the link Nigel7! I will definitely be using that page! Sorry it took me so long to respond–I’ve been pretty busy this week!

 

[AllSeasons]

the old classic stand-by is:

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

But I’m sure the good Lord won’t mind a simple, ‘Lord, thank you for this meal.’

Yea, this is the one that I try to say before a meal, too. But sometimes I forget. I think I need a prayer to remember to say this prayer!

 

[Rejoice_Always]

I think I need a prayer to remember to say this prayer!

Lord,

When I eat, I will pray.
Remind me every day!

Amen.

 

[R_C]

I try to always give thanks for the food I receive, and I also try to remember to give thanks again after I am done eating, because the Lord always did.

The common prayer was mentioned above, but sometimes the place or company may make this act of piety uncomfortable or perhaps not appropriate…after all, we are told for prudence to “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them”, and sometimes this prayer, especially since it ought to begin with the Sign of the Cross, may give this false impression to others, even though the Lord knows that our intentions are pure.

I concluded that the Lord will still read my heart, but I may be tempting others into sins of thought - such as criticizing me or my gesture or who knows what else could go through their mind - so I keep the prayer inside: I trace a small cross with the thumb over the heart, and I pray mentally.

I also give thanks for those who are around me receiving food, for I know that in their heart they are also grateful

 

[bigfootbob]

I try to always give thanks for the food I receive, and I also try to remember to give thanks again after I am done eating, because the Lord always did.

The common prayer was mentioned above, but sometimes the place or company may make this act of piety uncomfortable or perhaps not appropriate…after all, we are told for prudence to “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them”, and sometimes this prayer, especially since it ought to begin with the Sign of the Cross, may give this false impression to others, even though the Lord knows that our intentions are pure.

I concluded that the Lord will still read my heart, but I may be tempting others into sins of thought - such as criticizing me or my gesture or who knows what else could go through their mind - so I keep the prayer inside: I trace a small cross with the thumb over the heart, and I pray mentally.

I also give thanks for those who are around me receiving food, for I know that in their heart they are also grateful

I used to feel uncomfortable about praying before meals in a public places, and I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t like doing it, but I feel that it is a great witness to your faith. If I’m alone I pray silently, but still make the sign of the cross (not a whimpy little one either). If I’m with friends, we always pray out loud too. In our society, we need to witness to our faith, and doing this is not my idea of making people think I’m holy; I do it at home, why not in public?

 

[R_C]

I used to feel uncomfortable about praying before meals in a public places, and I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t like doing it, but I feel that it is a great witness to your faith. If I’m alone I pray silently, but still make the sign of the cross (not a whimpy little one either). If I’m with friends, we always pray out loud too. In our society, we need to witness to our faith, and doing this is not my idea of making people think I’m holy; I do it at home, why not in public?

Forgive me, for I understand that the intention is to praise God…but if you are uncomfortable and yet you do it so that others may see you, isn’t this “to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them”? There are other ways to give witness to Christ without tempting others while doing so.

 

[Seeker1961]

One form of the prayer before meals is:

“Father, we ask that you bless us and this food you have given us, through your son Jeus Christ. Amen”

It’s important not only to say a prayer before meals, but especially to say a prayer before starting the day by offering everything to God. This turns even the simplist acts and thoughts into prayer.

From Benedict XVI Spe Salve encyclical:
N
“There used to be a form of devotion—perhaps less practised today but quite widespread not long ago—that included the idea of “offering up” the minor daily hardships that continually strike at us like irritating “jabs”, thereby giving them a meaning… What does it mean to offer something up? Those who did so were convinced that they could insert these little annoyances into Christ’s great “com-passion” so that they somehow became part of the treasury of compassion so greatly needed by the human race. In this way, even the small inconveniences of daily life could acquire meaning and contribute to the economy of good and of human love.”

Here is just one form of the morning offering that is used.

“O Jesus, thru the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, and those of the whole world.”

oh…thank you. You took me right back to Catholic school mornings. Those are the prayers I want to bring back into my life.

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

One form of the prayer before meals is:

“Father, we ask that you bless us and this food you have given us, through your son Jeus Christ. Amen”

It’s important not only to say a prayer before meals, but especially to say a prayer before starting the day by offering everything to God. This turns even the simplist acts and thoughts into prayer.

From Benedict XVI Spe Salve encyclical:

“There used to be a form of devotion—perhaps less practised today but quite widespread not long ago—that included the idea of “offering up” the minor daily hardships that continually strike at us like irritating “jabs”, thereby giving them a meaning… What does it mean to offer something up? Those who did so were convinced that they could insert these little annoyances into Christ’s great “com-passion” so that they somehow became part of the treasury of compassion so greatly needed by the human race. In this way, even the small inconveniences of daily life could acquire meaning and contribute to the economy of good and of human love.”

Here is just one form of the morning offering that is used.

“O Jesus, thru the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your sacred Heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, and those of the whole world.”

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” — Gilbert Keith Chesterton

 

[bigfootbob]

Forgive me, for I understand that the intention is to praise God…but if you are uncomfortable and yet you do it so that others may see you, isn’t this “to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them”? There are other ways to give witness to Christ without tempting others while doing so.

I do the same thing when no one is watching, so there is no reason why I shouldn’t. I don’t do it to be noticed, I do it because that’s what I do. In my not-so-humble opinion, most people (perhaps not in your case- no offense intended) don’t do it because they’re afraid of what others might think of them, but I’m not going to let that stop me, as I personally let that kind of thing affect too many areas of my life.

There is a big difference between praying to show off and praying just because that’s what you do. It is my hope that when people see me praying they do not think I’m righteous, but that they recognize that I’m trying to live out my faith and are encouraged to do the same. It’s similar to wearing a cross around your neck.

 

[komeeks18]

I do the same thing when no one is watching, so there is no reason why I shouldn’t. I don’t do it to be noticed, I do it because that’s what I do. In my not-so-humble opinion, most people (perhaps not in your case- no offense intended) don’t do it because they’re afraid of what others might think of them, but I’m not going to let that stop me, as I personally let that kind of thing affect too many areas of my life.

There is a big difference between praying to show off and praying just because that’s what you do. It is my hope that when people see me praying they do not think I’m righteous, but that they recognize that I’m trying to live out my faith and are encouraged to do the same. It’s similar to wearing a cross around your neck.

I completely agree with you! We shouldn’t pray just for others to notice us…I don’t even understand why someone would do that. But we shouldn’t be ashamed either. I think prayer is something that is absolutely needed in a Christian’s life, and we should pray whenever we want or need to.

 

[Rejoice_Always]

+JMJ+

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” — Gilbert Keith Chesterton

That’s so awesome! Leave it to GKC to express something so perfectly.

 

[R_C]

Thank you for your kind reply. I was struck by your comparison to wearing a cross or crucifix - which I do. I always thought that wearing a cross or crucifix would at least give people the chance of seeing the Lord and thinking of Him for an instant…though we should try to reflect Christ in our lives, the little symbol is of great help, in this sense.

It is not mistaken or bad to think that people don’t do it because of their fear of what others may think of them: indeed I told you that when I don’t give thanks visibly, I do it so that others may not be tempted to pass a poor or bad judgment on me…if I criticize someone, I count it as a venial sin, so I try to avoid being occasion of such. But I am most probably making a mistake in this (though sometimes prudence is really a must).

So thank you for your kind teaching, I will ask my confessor what he considers more appropriate in my situation and act accordingly.