Why do we pray before eating meals?

[PeacefulWarrior]

Would you add to, take away, or expand anything in this article?

Question: "Why do we pray before eating meals?"

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Answer: Christians frequently pray before meals, giving thanks to God for the food we are about to eat. Pre-meal prayers can be a simple “thank-you” to God for the meal or lengthier prayers of thanksgiving for all of His provisions in our lives. In praying before meals, we are following the example of the Lord Jesus, whose prayers on several occasions are our model.

In the two instances where Jesus miraculously fed multitudes of people with a few loaves and fish, He “gave thanks” (Matthew 14:19-21; 15:34-36). In the first instance, He fed 5000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish. In the second, He fed over 4000 with seven loaves and a few fish. At the Last Supper, Jesus again set the example of thanksgiving. When He passed the cup and the bread to His disciples, telling them to eat and drink these elements which were symbols of His body and blood, He gave thanks. When He appeared to the two men on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection, He stopped briefly to eat with them, and “took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them” (Luke 24:30).

The apostle Paul continued this example of praying before eating, as recorded in Acts 27. In this instance, Paul was on a ship with 276 other people when a hurricane battered the ship. After fourteen days of not eating, Paul exhorted the sailors and other passengers to eat something in order to survive. He “took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all” (Acts 27:35). Even in spite of the danger and terrible circumstances, Paul paused to give thanks to God before the meal.

When we thank God for providing our daily bread, we are acknowledging that all things come from Him (Ephesians 5:20; Romans 11:36). He is the source of everything we have, and praying before meals as a habit helps to remind us of that truth. Praying before we eat with a thankful heart brings glory to God and centers our minds on His great love for His children and the blessings He bestows on those who belong to Him.
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Source: Why do we pray before eating meals?

Besides following Jesus' example for us (which was also practiced by Paul), prayer prior to meals is an important routine -- even if the routine becomes mundane and seemingly lacking sincerity, God is glorified.

 

[Dino246]

Nothing to add or subtract, but I am reminded of an episode of Happy Days where the Fonz joins the Cunninghams for Thanksgiving dinner (if I recall correctly; it's been about 35 years). When asked to pray before they eat, he looks upward and simply says, "Hey God, thanks!"

Sometimes even Hollywood gets its theology right.

 

[KohenMatt]

Deuteronomy 8:10
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you."

It seems there is also a Biblical precedent for thanking God after we eat as well.
Lesson: Thank God for everything as much as you can.

 

[Galahad]

Would you add to, take away, or expand anything in this article?

Question: "Why do we pray before eating meals?"

​

Answer: Christians frequently pray before meals, giving thanks to God for the food we are about to eat. Pre-meal prayers can be a simple “thank-you” to God for the meal or lengthier prayers of thanksgiving for all of His provisions in our lives. In praying before meals, we are following the example of the Lord Jesus, whose prayers on several occasions are our model.

In the two instances where Jesus miraculously fed multitudes of people with a few loaves and fish, He “gave thanks” (Matthew 14:19-21; 15:34-36). In the first instance, He fed 5000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish. In the second, He fed over 4000 with seven loaves and a few fish. At the Last Supper, Jesus again set the example of thanksgiving. When He passed the cup and the bread to His disciples, telling them to eat and drink these elements which were symbols of His body and blood, He gave thanks. When He appeared to the two men on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection, He stopped briefly to eat with them, and “took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them” (Luke 24:30).

The apostle Paul continued this example of praying before eating, as recorded in Acts 27. In this instance, Paul was on a ship with 276 other people when a hurricane battered the ship. After fourteen days of not eating, Paul exhorted the sailors and other passengers to eat something in order to survive. He “took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all” (Acts 27:35). Even in spite of the danger and terrible circumstances, Paul paused to give thanks to God before the meal.

When we thank God for providing our daily bread, we are acknowledging that all things come from Him (Ephesians 5:20; Romans 11:36). He is the source of everything we have, and praying before meals as a habit helps to remind us of that truth. Praying before we eat with a thankful heart brings glory to God and centers our minds on His great love for His children and the blessings He bestows on those who belong to Him.
​

Source: Why do we pray before eating meals?

Besides following Jesus' example for us (which was also practiced by Paul), prayer prior to meals is an important routine -- even if the routine becomes mundane and seemingly lacking sincerity, God is glorified.

Good question. It is. I've asked it myself.

Food is immediate. It is not like a house. Thank God for my house. Okay, what if burns down. I can live in a tent.

Not like money. It is a means to an end.

But when we our daily bread before us, we have that which our body needs everyday. And we have it abundantly. We have it colorful and even with a focus on presentation (vain at times). Yet, people are starving.

Food is life. In fact, Jesus said "I am the bread of Life."
He also said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Of all the physical blessings, Jesus mentioned bread. "Give us this day, our daily bread."

He ask God for the daily bread. He blesses us with it. We thank Him.

This is not to say it wrong to eat without giving thanks. Not suggesting that.

But when our bodies our hungry and there's a plate of food, so thankful. Taste better after prayer, also.

I love that picture of the old man praying over his bread on the table. It is so calming and a great reminder.

With God, just our daily bread is much!

 

[Galahad]

Would you add to, take away, or expand anything in this article?

Question: "Why do we pray before eating meals?"

​

Answer: Christians frequently pray before meals, giving thanks to God for the food we are about to eat. Pre-meal prayers can be a simple “thank-you” to God for the meal or lengthier prayers of thanksgiving for all of His provisions in our lives. In praying before meals, we are following the example of the Lord Jesus, whose prayers on several occasions are our model.

In the two instances where Jesus miraculously fed multitudes of people with a few loaves and fish, He “gave thanks” (Matthew 14:19-21; 15:34-36). In the first instance, He fed 5000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves of bread and two fish. In the second, He fed over 4000 with seven loaves and a few fish. At the Last Supper, Jesus again set the example of thanksgiving. When He passed the cup and the bread to His disciples, telling them to eat and drink these elements which were symbols of His body and blood, He gave thanks. When He appeared to the two men on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection, He stopped briefly to eat with them, and “took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them” (Luke 24:30).

The apostle Paul continued this example of praying before eating, as recorded in Acts 27. In this instance, Paul was on a ship with 276 other people when a hurricane battered the ship. After fourteen days of not eating, Paul exhorted the sailors and other passengers to eat something in order to survive. He “took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all” (Acts 27:35). Even in spite of the danger and terrible circumstances, Paul paused to give thanks to God before the meal.

When we thank God for providing our daily bread, we are acknowledging that all things come from Him (Ephesians 5:20; Romans 11:36). He is the source of everything we have, and praying before meals as a habit helps to remind us of that truth. Praying before we eat with a thankful heart brings glory to God and centers our minds on His great love for His children and the blessings He bestows on those who belong to Him.
​

Source: Why do we pray before eating meals?

Besides following Jesus' example for us (which was also practiced by Paul), prayer prior to meals is an important routine -- even if the routine becomes mundane and seemingly lacking sincerity, God is glorified.

Oh, and some poor hungry soul might pray because the cook is lousy. "Dear Lord, help me as I endure this test. Deliver me from what I am about to taste." Or some other poor soul, "Help me, dear Father, as I face these bitter herbs, dry bread, cold soup, and the canned spinach!"

Notice I did not use feminine or masculine pronouns in my scenarios above.
In other words, I did not write: Some husbands (men, male) might pray because their wives (women, females) are lousy cooks (suggest women belong in the kitchen).

I guess you might say my answer is PC.
I don't care either way.
My wife's a great cook. I cook for her, too.

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

Oh, and some poor hungry soul might pray because the cook is lousy. "Dear Lord, help me as I endure this test. Deliver me from what I am about to taste." Or some other poor soul, Help me, dear Father, as I face these bitter herbs, dry bread, cold soup, and the canned spinach!"
Notice I stayed away from genders in my statement.
In other words, I did not write: Some husbands (men, male) might pray because their wives (women, females) are not good cooks (suggest women belong in the kitchen).

I guess you might say my answer is PC. Well, I don't care either way.
My wife's a great cook. I cook for her, too.

You make me smile a lot, as I'm reading your posts, Galahad -- keep it up!

My wife's a great cook as well! I would like to cook for her, more often. (Though she does a great job)

 

[Galahad]

You make me smile a lot, as I'm reading your posts, Galahad -- keep it up!

Well, you just jump over to that yoga homosexual thread, you and I ain't in agreement over there. We'll see you how long you be smiling.

Thanks PW, appreciate it.

 

[Dan58]

I once went 5 days without any food at all.. Afterwards, I was very thankful for that which I always took for granted. Its important to give thanks for our food, health, shelter, jobs, freedom, etc.. We can become complacent and expect these things because we've always had them, but giving thanks to God for our many blessings is a must do priority. . People often pray when they're in need, sick, destitute or hungry, but fail to acknowledging God's goodness when everything is hunky-dorey.. I guess its human nature to focus on what we need and want, rather than take notice of all we have. I suppose that's why fasting is a good thing to do on occasion, it serves to keep us humble by revealing how dependent we are on our God for everything.

 

[20]

You give Lord Thanks for this meal and you sanctified this by the Word of God, and prayer. 1Timothy4;3-5 Forbidding to marry,and comanding to abstain from meats,which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.,For every creature of God is good,and nothing to be refused,if it bereceived with thanksgiving.,For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.,Another reason why we pray before eating meal;without Him we can do nothing.John15;5 I am the vine, you are the branches;He that abideth in Me,and I in Him,the same bringeth forth much fruit;for without Me you can do nothing.

 

[pwrnJC]

Paul tells us to "Pray without ceasing". Why not pray before eating, sleeping, driving our car, going on a vacation, taking up an offering plate..and more? What can it actually hurt? Are you talking about a ritual or tradition only? Praying before a ball game, a huddle, before a conference...it only shows respect to GOD...those who have issues with prayer only show NO respect to GOD.

 

[posthuman]

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.
Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
(Matthew 14:19)

here's Jesus giving thanks before a meal.

 

[KohenMatt]

An alternative or additional way could be to bless God after the meal:

Deuteronomy 8:10
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you."