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September 25, 2004
Dinnertime Prayer?
God is good.
Let us thank Him
for our food,
the health and safety
of our family and friends.
Amen.
Our family is looking to branch out a bit from our current dinnertime prayer routine. I'm hoping for something a little richer, theologically speaking - something from Christians in the past, perhaps?
Any suggestions?
Posted by Steve | September 25, 2004 in Religion | Permalink
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Comments
This is the one I use:
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit. Amen.
O Lord, thank you for this day and all the blessings you give to us.
Bless this food to our bodies and us to Your love and service.
Keep us mindful of the needs of others.
Amen.
Posted by: Karl Thienes | Sep 27, 2004 11:13:28 AM
Thank you, Mr. Thienes. I like that!
Steve
Posted by: Steve | Sep 27, 2004 1:11:36 PM
My third daughter, as a four-year old, offered this one, which has remained with us, partly because of what one word within it evokes, partly in memory of her presence among us before she entered glory at the ripe old age of nine:
"Dear Lord, thank you for this lovely food. Amen."
Posted by: Brother Quotidian | Sep 29, 2004 9:23:20 AM
Dear Brother Quotidian,
As a father of two much-loved daughters myself, I can understand why that prayer would become a heartfelt tradition for your family.
Thank you for sharing both the prayer and its origin. It moved me.
Blessings to you and yours,
Steve
Posted by: Steve | Sep 29, 2004 10:17:19 AM
Our custom at all meals is to pray the Angelus, followed by "Bless us, O Lord ...", and "May the souls of the faithful departed..."
Posted by: Jeff Culbreath | Sep 29, 2004 5:59:59 PM
Thanks, Jeff!
Take care,
Steve
Posted by: Steve | Sep 30, 2004 7:00:51 AM
As we always have a candle at the dinner table, a ritual that we
use is to say the Phos Hilaron as the candle is being lit.
O Gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everlasting Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
We then join hands and say a variation of one of the prayers
posted above as a grace proper:
Bless this food to our use and us thy service.
We ask this in the name of thy Son our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Posted by: David Romani | Sep 30, 2004 9:26:45 AM
Thank you, Mr. Romani, for taking the time to record the prayer and your explanation as well.
Blessings,
Steve
Posted by: Steve | Sep 30, 2004 10:29:31 AM
Dinnertime prayers, like all other prayers, are always better in Latin :)
http://home.earthlink.net/~thesaurus/thesaurus/Basics/Mensae.html
(Follow the link for English translations).
Benedictio Ante Mensam (Blessings Before Meals)
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
BENEDIC, Domine, nos et haec tua dona quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
(Ante prandium - add before lunch)
Mensae caelestis participes faciat nos, Rex aeternae gloriae. Amen.
(Ante cenam - add before dinner)
Ad cenam vitae aeternae perducat nos, Rex aeternae gloriae. Amen.
Benedictio Post Mensam (Blessings After Meals)
AGIMUS tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
V. Deus det nobis suam pacem.
R. Et vitam aeternam.
Amen
Posted by: Mathew | Sep 30, 2004 11:45:12 AM
We are going to be trying one new prayer a day by picking one out of a hat. Here is the one we usually say: Bless us O Lord for These Thy Gifts which we are about to Recieve, with Thy Bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Posted by: J | Jul 28, 2005 6:35:22 PM
