I have been watching the Chosen recently and I wanted to share some thoughts on praying before a meal. It’s customary in many homes to pray before a meal, typically dinner, and my upbringing was no different. We did the standard “Bless us o Lord, for these they gifts…”, but as I got older, we did more unique prayers and I also started to pray before every meal and tried to remember to pray before snacking. For this week’s post, I was contemplating, “what elements does a solid prayer entail?” I think gratitude, praise, and petition. I also thought of opening with the line from the Chosen, as it is one of praise. What better way to start a prayer? “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe.”
In eating a meal, we are consuming nutrition, the very thing that keeps us alive. That nutrition comes from God and also from hard working people that labor to make the food in our stores and on our tables possible. Further, eating is, and should be I believe, about enjoyment. We should enjoy the food we eat, each to their own palate. Some like salty, while other sweet. There is savory, umami, The flavors dance around in our mind while serotonin and dopamine, 2 crucial neurotransmitters are released. We can enhance this experience when we eat with others whose company we enjoy. Is it any wonder why eating alone can be depressing while eating with friends is uplifting? Or why families that sit around the other dinner table together and share stories seem to be happier? “We thank You for the food we have before us and for those that made this food possible. We ask You to bless them and look favorably on them. We thank You for the family(friends) you have given us to enjoy this food with and ask for strengthening of our bonds.”
Returning to the nutrition, we know that not all food is created equal but that for the most part, food contains vital macro and micronutrients needed for life. The big 3; carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are the macronutrients while vitamin and minerals, polyphenols, and antioxidants are the micronutrients. We need the right balance of these for the optimal life and, in referring to an earlier post, that life can help us serving God in the best capacity. Proper diet can help stave off disease, improve mood and sleep, supplement activity level, and help us life our best life. “God we ask you to grant us continued health and healing with this sustenance. Let this food supply our minds and hearts to better serve you in all walks of life.”
So I invite you to use and share this simple prayer with anyone you encounter when eating. I hope it serves you well.
“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe. We thank You for the food we have before us and for those that made this food possible. We ask You to bless them and look favorably on them. We thank You for the family(friends) you have given us to enjoy this food with and ask for strengthening of our bonds. God we ask you to grant us continued health and healing with this sustenance. Let this food supply our minds and hearts to better serve you in all walks of life. In Jesus name, we give Glory to You. Amen.”
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