Midday
Prayers Before and After Meals
“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest thine hands, and fillest every living thing with pleasure.”Psalm 144:15-16 (145:15-16)
Reflection
Christ gave thanks before he broke bread (Luke 24:30), and Christians have always prayed at the table. In the Slavonic prayer book, the prayer before a meal is the Lord's Prayer, or the verses from Psalm 144 above, followed by a short blessing of the food. After the meal comes a short thanksgiving. A Greek prayer book gives a shorter blessing still, which is included here too. Use whichever your household knows, and do not worry about getting it perfect. The point is to remember, before the first bite, that every good thing comes from God, and to remember those who are hungry. On fasting days the prayers are the same; only the table is simpler. The blessing, the thanksgiving, and the Greek blessing are our own translations from the Church Slavonic and Greek. The Lord's Prayer is from Hapgood's Service Book (1906), and the psalm is from Brenton's Septuagint.
A prayer
Before the meal: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Or: The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest thine hands, and fillest every living thing with pleasure. Then: Lord Jesus Christ our God, bless our food and drink, through the prayers of your most pure Mother and of all your saints, for you are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. Or, as a Greek prayer book has it: Christ our God, bless the food and drink of your servants, for you are holy, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. After the meal: We thank you, O Christ our God, that you have satisfied us with your earthly good things. Do not deprive us of your heavenly Kingdom; but as you came among your disciples, O Saviour, and gave them peace, come to us and save us.
Carry this with you
The next time you eat today, pause long enough to say one of these prayers, even silently.