Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Praying at Meals

Thoughts (questions really)...How many of you pray at mealtime? Are they short and sweet or do they take a really long time? Do you pray at every meal or is it just at family gatherings like Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Maybe you pray at home but feel too awkward to do so at restaurants. Do you pray over the food or is it a time to include everything and everyone?

When I was growing up, one grandmother called it "asking the blessing" and the other called it "giving thanks" (when asked why she reminded me that Jesus always gave thanks before He broke the bread). Either one can be correct but they follow two different paths...asking the blessing means asking God to bless the food and perhaps also those who are eating and those who prepared it. Giving thanks means just that...taking a moment to say thank you to God for the food.

Whether you choose to bless or give thanks, try to make it a habit. It doesn't have to be a large demonstration, doesn't have to include anyone else and can be done silently with your eyes open. Taking a moment to acknowledge that all gifts (even liver!) come from God is just one more way you can stay in touch with Him during the day.

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