Grace Before Meals–Doxology needed?

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Grace Before Meals–Doxology needed?

December 6, 2007 by Katerina Ivanovna

We always say grace before meals no matter where we are, but Michael and I have been wondering if there should be a doxology to the traditional prayer that will include all those who do not have the “grace” that we have been given to enjoy a meal. I know that one of our close friends adds a prayer at the end , but I forgot her exact words. Michael and I want to add a doxology that would include all those who are hungry, but I can’t come up with words as of yet. I probably haven’t given it enough thought. Do you say grace before meals? And if you do, do you just pray the traditional words or do you add some words at the end of the prayer?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Prayer, Solidarity, Spiritual Practices | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on December 6, 2007 at 9:51 pm | Reply Andrew

Hey, not a doxology and maybe not what you are looking for but an attractive grace that incorporates a rememberance of the hungry is the Selkirk Grace popular in Scotland.

Scots: “Some hae meat, and canna eat,
And some wad meat that want it,
But we have meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.”

English: “Some have meat and cannot eat,
Some cannot eat that want it;
But we have meat and we can eat,
So let the Lord be thankit.”

I don’t always say grace before meals, mostly I initiate grace when eating with friends, giving thanks for the fellowship. I like this because it does put the need of others before our own and highlights the blessing not to be taken for granted.

Mostly I use a very simple grace I learnt from a Fransican monk, “Lord you give all that we need, we ask only one thing, thankful hearts.”
on December 6, 2007 at 10:02 pm | Reply Katerina Ivanovna

That’s beautiful, thank you!
on December 7, 2007 at 2:57 pm | Reply Jeff S.

We pray before all meals but extemporaneously. Use your own words and the leading of the Holy Spirit for those things that have been laid on your heart. But perhaps you are wanting to pray in unison?
on December 7, 2007 at 3:12 pm | Reply michael

I like to ask for God to Grace and sustain all those without food first then to bless our waitress(er) ,cooks all in the restaurant , I thank God for the company I share ask Him to bless our conversation, giving thanks for Him providing the means to eat, then for the Lord to sit with us as we eat.. I’ve found the best for me to invite Jesus to my table. It makes it such a blessing to me

Sometimes other things pop in my mind that I need to pray so I add those too, but this is the usual……

Sometimes I say a prayer of thanksgiving after the meal but too often I forget, but I’m working on it

In the Two Hearts
Michael
on December 7, 2007 at 4:05 pm | Reply Alexandra

“Lord, give all people the food they need, so that they may join us in giving you thanks.”

I saw this over at Catholicculture.org .
on December 9, 2007 at 5:23 am | Reply Apolonio

I usually say the traditional “blessed are we…” if not, say “thank you, Jesus”. You don’t want the food to get cold. I think it’s a bit of an offense to Him to make up a long prayer, not enthusiastically getting right into the pizza, no? I also don’t see why prayer stops just because one is eating. Enjoying the food can be an encounter of Christ and one does not cease in one’s attentiveness to Christ just because one is eating. Yes, even in a turkey sandwich Christ is there.
on December 9, 2007 at 9:37 am | Reply mrs jackie parkes

The chil;dren say their own one at school..’ Bless us O Lord as we sit together, bless the hands that made the food, bless us o Lord Amen. ‘

they do an after meals prayer..i’m embarrassed to say i don’t know it..will find it..
on May 14, 2008 at 6:11 pm | Reply Cathy

At my inlaws they said the before and after Grace together in the beginninging of the meal. Here is how it went.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace After Meals

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
on September 7, 2009 at 6:03 pm | Reply Belteshazzar Mouse

This was posted a long time ago, however, I know the Doxology to the common Catholic grace and did not see it here. The prayer before meals prays for the living and the prayer after prays for the body of Christ departed.

Bless us oh Lord and these Your gifts, which we are about to receive, from Your bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

May the Lord provide for the needs of others and always be our heavenly food, Amen.

After Meals:

We give You thanks, for all Your benefits, which we have received through Christ our Lord, Amen.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.

I am always surprised more people do not know the ending for the prayer before meals.

I hope you find this so long after the original post!

God Bless.