Dinner Prayers - What Mealtime Blessings Bring to the Family Table

Saying dinner prayers is a tradition that has been around for centuries. Christ himself set a good example to follow by giving thanks and blessing the food before eating. Parents want to teach their children that it is important to pray, but finding time to be together as a family can be hard, especially in today's busy culture. So, when we are gathered around the table with those we love, it is a good time to welcome God as part of our meal and to take the time to speak to Him and acknowledge His provision in our lives. Dinner prayers do not have to be fancy or eloquent, they just need to be honest and heartfelt. And, if you are worried about rushing through the blessing so the meal doesn't get cold, then begin a tradition of spending some extra time in prayer after the meal instead of before. For many families, dinner prayers hold special significance, and taking a few minutes to ask a blessing can instill lessons in our children, change our perspectives, and reap many long-term benefits.

1. Family Memories.

   Beginning a habit of praying before a meal is a great way to establish a tradition and build special family memories. Often, prayers are passed down from generation to generation. Whether pre-written or spoken from the heart, many adults can fondly recall prayers that were recited while they were growing up. People can often remember specific blessings their grandfathers used to say before a meal, or a favorite holiday verse that was spoken at family gatherings. Giving children the opportunity to say a dinner prayer teaches them the importance of giving thanks, and they may even say something amusing or emotional that touches your heart, as well as the heart of God.

2. Thankfulness.

   A simple 'thank you' is always appreciated by the people in our lives, and God is no exception. A thankful heart is a cheerful heart, and praying before a meal is a great way to remember the goodness of God and to show our appreciation for His promise of provision. Taking a few minutes to thank Him for each person around our table, to praise Him for their health and safety, and to acknowledge the gift of nutritious food that He has given us, will actually encourage an attitude of thankfulness and help us, as well as our children, realize that we are truly blessed.

3. Family Time that Focuses on God.

   Setting time aside to talk to God helps us focus on Him and reminds us that our provision, our protection, and our strength come from God. Acknowledging God before a meal, when we are gathered as a family, gives Him a place of importance in our busy schedules, and honoring Him as the creator and provider helps us keep things in perspective. We realize the greatness of God, we confess our dependence on Him for everyday things such as our food and safety, and we recognize His blessings in our lives.

4. Family Time that Focuses on the Needs of Others.

   Recognizing how blessed we are also reminds us of all the people in the world who are less fortunate. Using dinnertime prayers to ask God to bless those around the table as well as the hands that prepared the food, and then spending a few minutes praying for those who are hurting, suffering, or do not have enough to eat, helps us to think beyond ourselves and notice the needs of others. Each family member can pray for each other, or we can ask our children if they have a specific request for someone they know who may need prayer.

5. Unity.

   Most of us are familiar with the old adage, “a family that prays together, stays together," so making dinnertime blessings a habit can help us bond with each other and build a relationship with God, who is the center of all strong families. Taking turns saying grace makes everyone feel like they are part of the family tradition which not only builds memories, but encourages unity. And, giving our children an opportunity to pray allows them to express their hearts and possibly mention situations or concerns that they would not tell us otherwise. Mealtime prayers may actually spark family conversations or encourage discussions with questions such as, “What are you thankful for today?” or “How can we help those less fortunate?”

Dinner prayers encourage thankfulness, build family unity, and help us focus on God as well as the needs of the world around us. Making mealtime blessings a habit teaches our children that even a young child can speak to God and He will hear them, which may encourage them to pray at other times as well. So begin a tradition and start building memories today.