Prayers Before and After Meals

A Simple Grace Before Meals

Lord, thank you for this food and for every pair of hands that brought it to our table: those who grew it, carried it, sold it and cooked it. Bless our meal and our conversation, and make us good company for one another. Let us eat with grateful hearts. Amen.

Scripture reference:
1 Timothy 4:4 — “For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected.”

A Very Short Grace for Children

Thank you, God, for this good food, for the people at this table, and for your love. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Matthew 6:11 — “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Bless Us, O Lord: Catholic Grace Before Meals

This is the traditional Catholic grace before meals, in the form printed in the Baltimore Catechism of 1885. It comes from a Latin blessing recorded as early as the eighth century, versions of which are still said at Oxford and Cambridge colleges. Catholics usually begin and end it with the Sign of the Cross.

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

Scripture reference:
Psalm 145:15 — “The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season.”

Come, Lord Jesus: The Lutheran Table Prayer

The best-known Lutheran table prayer is traced to a German schoolbook printed in 1698. The English here is a new translation from the German made for this page.

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and bless what you have given us. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Revelation 3:20 — “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Orthodox Prayers Before and After Meals

In Orthodox homes the Lord's Prayer is said before eating, followed by this short blessing. After the meal, a prayer thanks Christ for his earthly gifts and asks for the heavenly ones. The English here is a new translation from the Greek made for this page.

Before the meal. Christ our God, bless the food and drink of your servants, for you are holy, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

After the meal. We thank you, Christ our God, for you have filled us with your earthly good things. Do not deprive us also of your heavenly Kingdom. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Acts 2:46 — “With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart.”

Grace for a Holiday or Family Gathering

Lord, look around this table: the people who travelled far, the ones who cooked all day, the children who can hardly wait. Thank you for bringing us together. Bless this food and this celebration. Hold close those who are missing from our table this year, and let the joy we share here spill over into generosity toward others. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Nehemiah 8:10 — “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared.”

Grace When You Eat Alone

Lord, there is only one plate on the table tonight, but I am not eating alone. You are here. Thank you for this food and for the quiet. Bless the people I love who are far away, and everyone else eating by themselves this evening. Keep us all in your care. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Psalm 23:5 — “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Grace That Remembers the Hungry

Generous God, we have enough tonight, and many people do not. As we eat, keep us from taking this meal for granted. Open our eyes to the hungry in our own neighbourhood and far away, and show us what we can share: food, money, time or a place at our table. Let our thanks become generosity. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Proverbs 22:9 — “A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”

Catholic Grace After Meals

The traditional Catholic grace after meals, in the form printed in the Baltimore Catechism of 1885, ends by remembering those who have died.

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest forever, and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Deuteronomy 8:10 — “When you eat and are satisfied, you are to bless the LORD your God for the good land that He has given you.”