Grace (prayer)
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♠Grace is a name for any of a number of short prayers said before a meal, thanking God for it and asking for His blessing on it, in folk practices of Christianity and other religions. Reciting a prayer before eating is normally referred to as "saying grace".
This probably originated with the Jewish mealtime prayer Birkat Hamazon.
In American Christianity the head of the household often ad libs a special grace on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter while the others observe a moment of silence.
If one is not religious and the rest of the table is saying grace, it is considered to be polite to quietly observe or just bow one's head.
[edit] Typical Christian grace prayers
- Ecumenical. God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.
- Catholic. Bless us, O Lord, and these, Your gifts, which we are about to receive from Your bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
- Catholic (Latin). Benedic Domine, nos et hæc tua dona quæ de tua largitate sumus sumpturi. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
- Eastern Orthodox. O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for holy art Thou, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
- Australian (any denomination). Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest and let this food unto us be blest. Amen.
[edit] Other pre-meal sayings
In Japan it is customary to put one's hands together and say "Itadakimasu" ('receive' humble) before a meal. Muslims say Bismillah ar-Rahman, ar-Raheem.
[edit] External links
- Mealtime Prayers from The Prayer Guide
- Catholic Encyclopedia article
