The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Praying before meals

I'm wondering about people's habits and thoughts about praying before meals. I guess I haven't been in a regular habit of praying before all meals. Mostly because I forget since I'm not in a regular habit (sort of going in a circle there). When I'm with other Christians, I never forget, but when I'm alone or in a group of non-Christians I often don't think about it. Of course, when I'm alone or with non-Christians, my prayer would be a silent prayer instead of a vocal one.

I guess one of my main questions would be that as Christians should we pray before all meals? Or, to say it another way, is not praying before a meal a sin?

I've added a poll to this question. I chose Sometimes.

Thanks,
John

I pray before meals single choice
	Sometimes
	Regulary, but not always
	Always
	Only with other Christians
	Never
	Rarely
Votes accepted starting: Fri Feb 10, 2006 2:00 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

There was not really an exact category for my answer, so I chosed regularly.

I pray probably 99% of the time. I only forget when I'm sidetracked for some reason. When out in public, I will pray out loud with other Christians at the table, but privately if I sense someone's uneasiness sitting at the table with me.

John,

I'd have to say it has become a habit deeply ingrained in me from growing up in a home that practiced that faithfully. I'll have to admit most of my pre-meal prayers are relatively short because the food is already on the table and it will get cold. Often we use the Lord's prayer too.

As I've grown over the years in my prayer life I found that it's good for me to set aside times for prayer and develop a habit of protecting that time to spend with the Lord. It's been helpful for me to set aside time early in the morning for my private devotions and prayer but my wife and I also spend quite a bit of time in a family altar after dinner each evening too. Spontaneous prayer throughout the day helps me to express my reliance on God's involvement in all my activities especially overcoming my flesh.

I think a good barometer of a Christian's spirituality and closeness to the Lord is his/her prayer life. When discussing this openly with some other Christians I was really surprised to learn that some of my brothers and sisters spend so little time in prayer. I found out that for some the prayer with meals is there only prayer during the day. Now that's sad when we have the privilege to bring everything to God in prayer.


Wes

Hi Wes,

Thanks for your thoughts. Growing up, my family's prayer life was off and on in a family setting. I think it's a great blessing though to be in a family in which prayer (as a family) is practiced regularly.

I do set aside some time everyday to pray, although the amount varies depending on various things. When I have those freem moments during the day I sometimes pray then too. I do think my prayer life is not what it should be though. Even when I am praying, I often find my mind wandering. I have the desire to have pray more and commune more with God, but, at the same time, I just don't seem to have the strength to do it oftentimes. I realize this is indication of what's actually in my heart many times, and it's a bit discouraging.

Going back to prayer for meals, one of the biggest problems I have with that is I find myself falling into very formulaic prayers at that time. I'm always reminded of the verse when Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray and he warns them not to use meaningless repititions, i.e., just saying a bunch of words. It seems so easy to rush through them just so we can begin eating. I guess what I'm really struggling with is why I'm not more thankful than I am for all the blessings God has given me such as a filling meal. I think if I was truly filled with thanks as I should be, then prayer (a truly thankful and heartfelt one) before a meal would just naturally flow out.

John

I really understand what you're saying here because I think we all have times when it's hard to pray and other times when it's hard to stop praying. Don't be discouraged, God understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses. However, it's wonderful to know that we can come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need. Oswald Chambers wrote: "Beware of placing the emphasis on what prayer costs us; it cost God everything to make it possible for us to pray."


I understand your concern here too. I don't think we have to be overly concerned about whether we use the same words frequently as much as the genuineness of our faith when we express what's in our hearts. Most of all don't make prayer a legal obligation, it should always be looked at as a priviledge. Moses wrote: "For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?" (Deut. 4:7)


Wes

I always (though I have forgot) pray at meals. I do it because I am thankful to the Lord that I am fortunate enough to have the meal.
Most of the time the prayer is quite short, especially when the food is in front of me. It is pretty hard to pray when my mouth is watering <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

Tom

My husband and I do pray before meals, to thank God for His provision for us, when so many in the world are starving!
My prayers are usually said in my heart/head though as my vocal chords are not strong enough to pray out loud, through a chronic illness.
We are to give thanks in ALL things.
En glish Rose

I pray before all meals. I might forget once in a while, but not often. if I'm with non Christians including family, it depends on who it is and what they want to do. Sometimes we'll pray to ourselves, and sometimes I'll lead in prayer verbally. Is it sin?

"men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer" (1Ti 4:3-5). That definitely tells me that it is biblical and right to pray over meals. But I wouldn't go as far as say it is sin not to, because it is not given as a command...imo

Bret

When I lunch out with friends we always join hands and one of us prays. I have to be careful of my heart attitude as I am so very grateful to be found by the doctrines of grace and to belong to Him and I dont want to pray in public with pride in my heart! I feel no embarrassment at all as it is such a joy to thank Him for having always provided my needs, physically and spiritually! What a wonder!
Now, as someone above said, if I should be with a group of unbelievers I will either ask if they mind if I pray or usually bow my head and pray silently, but always to be certain I thank Him for His greatness and mercy to me.
Very late to this thread but it is certainly meaningful and always timely!

I never pray before meals unless other Christians are present, and then only because it seems to be important to them. I have never understood the custom. I am thankful for a lot of things, and I see no particular reason to single out food. Moreover, it seems to be a superstition for a lot of people (not picking on anyone here), like they think if they don't pray they will die of food poisoning or something. I pray at other times.

I do pray before meals. It is not important to be eloquent or wordy but truly thankful. I don't see it as superstition but rather rightly attributing my provision to my Lord for which I am thankful. I do not take for granted my provision. I pray for it daily and then return thanks to Him who is so faithful. When I have family gatherings, I pray aloud and unless I am with someone who is offended by my praying or when alone, I pray silently. We ought to pray always about everything. There is a wonderful article on prayer by JC Ryle which I would encourage people to read. It has challenged my prayer life in many ways. I still fall short but am learning.
Patrice

I don't see anything wrong with a word of thanks you Lord for the meal, eyes open, head up, and getting ready to eat. But to make a public display as I see people do I have to ask myself "Who is getting the attention?" I can only think of how the Pharasees did and how Christ got on to them about it. that's just my thoughts doug

The problem wasn't that they were joining with several others to thank God for a meal. They were crafting long, drawn out prayers that were meant to make themselves look pious and holier than thou.

Would you be willing to apply your argument to prayer in corporate worship? I think there would be a stronger temptation toward Phariseeism in a prayer meeting than over a plate of food.

You mean so you can be very careful no one knows you pray? Or why is it not proper to bow, give glory to our God who provides for all of our needs and to not care whether others around are noticing or not? Is it acceptable to base our behavior on what others may be thinking and to fall into their mold?
Just a thought! Actually I never notice if anyone is watching or not but just do what is in my heart and allow the onlookers to do the same! The goal always is to glorify God!

I agree. Like my old mentor A W Tozer said "well folks, shall we pray, or just have a quick head-ache"--a touch of sarcasm there of course.