Prayer Before Meals

The everyday grace. Often searched as “meal prayer” or “prayer before you eat”.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Thank You, Lord, for the food in front of us and the hands that made it. Thank You for the farmers and drivers and grocery clerks, the whole chain of people we’ll never meet. Let this meal feed our bodies, and this time together feed our hearts. Make us mindful of those who are hungry tonight. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Three one-line graces. Often searched as “simple prayer before meals” or “short prayer before meal”.

Thank You, Lord, for this food. Amen. Father, bless this meal and everyone at this table. Amen. For food, for friends, for all Your gifts, we thank You, Lord. Amen.

For blessing the food itself. Often searched as “prayer for food” or “prayer over food”.

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

Father, You give us our daily bread, and here it is. Bless this food. Let it give strength to our bodies and joy to our table. We don’t take it for granted. Some weeks it was harder to put on the table, and You provided anyway. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When everyone is finally at the table. Often searched as “prayer before dinner” or “christian dinner prayer”.

Lord, thank You for bringing us back to this table tonight. Some of us had good days and some didn’t. Bless this food, and bless the conversation. Help us put the phones down and really listen to each other. Let this be the best part of the day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The children’s grace many of us learned first. A traditional rhyme; teach it to your kids.

God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed; give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen.

The traditional Catholic grace before meals.

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

For a break in the middle of the day, at your desk or in the car.

Thank You, God, for this lunch, and for a break in the middle of the day. Bless this food, and bless the work waiting for me when I’m done. Let me eat slowly, breathe, and remember You’re with me here too. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Grace for the end of the meal. Often searched as “after meal prayer” or “prayer after lunch”.

You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless Yahweh your God for the good land which he has given you. Deuteronomy 8:10

Lord, we’ve eaten and we’re full. Thank You. Don’t let us forget who gave it, now that we’re satisfied. Bless the hands that will wash the dishes. And let us share what we have with someone who has less. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you’ve been asked to pray before the meal. Say the couple’s names in place of “this couple”.

Lord, thank You for bringing us together to celebrate. Thank You for this couple and the love that brought us all here. Bless this meal and the hands that prepared it. Bless every table, every toast, and every dance. And bless this marriage, today and on all the ordinary days to come. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For the biggest meal of the year. Often searched as “prayer before christmas dinner”.

Lord Jesus, we gather on the day we celebrate Your birth. Thank You for coming to us. Thank You for this table, this family, and the people missing from it this year. Bless this food. Let our home be full of the peace the angels sang about. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Before the day gets going.

Lord, before this day gets going, thank You for breakfast. For coffee and toast and a few quiet minutes. Bless this food, and give us energy for what’s ahead. Go with each of us when we walk out the door. In Jesus’ name, amen.