Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Many of us know this prayer from our youth and/or from having prayed it often. And many have gotten out of the habit of reciting it before meals.
Why do we say grace at meals?
- Give thanks to God: The word “grace” comes from the Latin phrase phrasegratiarum actio, which means “act of thanks.”
- Ask for a blessing: Saying grace before meals asks God for a blessing.
- Express gratitude: Saying grace after a meal is a prayer of thanksgiving for the good things God has given and an intercession for those who have helped.
- Remember that food comes from God: Saying grace before meals is a way to remember that it was God who provided the meal.
- Protect food: The prayer blesses the food with a seal of protection.
- Offer an act of faith: Reciting the prayers before and after meals is an act of faith pleasing to God and a sign to others that we are with them and that we believe in God and His blessings.
At the start of Lent, let’s challenge ourselves to say grace before and after meals throughout the season.
