I was just wondering if any Christians say grace or anything before a meal.

If so why do you do this everytime?

Asking for God to bless the food. I forget to pray alot

Grace is different.

I think people pray before eating because it is a celebration of life.

quote:Originally posted by ArgonPlasma2000:

Asking for God to bless the food. I forget to pray alot

you can only do ya best.

I just cant see the need. Is the blessing to make it healthy then? what for if you use fresh veggies etc in the meal?

[This message has been edited by vice (edited 06-30-2005).]

Jews say Grace after meals.

catholics have a before meal prayer and after meal prayer, not that many catholics say them

It's traditional to bless the food before you eat it. It's not just a Christian thing.

I say grace on special occassions, sometimes.

Cheers,

Lost

o00ps ...in my household its usually 'shut the fuck up and eat already!'

My family is pretty much anti-religion.

my family eats religion

I think it has something to do with disease.

Back in the day, food wasn't exactly trustworthy in the "cleanliness" department.

Because of this, many people died from food that wasn't prepared properly (to the right temperature, etc.), food that was kept too long, and food that wasn't meant to be eaten in the first place.

So, people got into the habit of praying over their meals...a little extra help from the Good Lord never hurt nobody !

I also see it as a way to be grateful to God...in some countries, food is a scarce commodity, and having it literally means the difference between life and death.

When you see food that way, as opposed to the average over-indulgent, spoiled American (who takes their Burger King for granted), you are GRATEFUL to the one who provided the sustinence...God.

^^^Yep. Grace (in the Christian tradition) is used to give thanks for the good meal the Lord provided.

QUOTE Originally posted by Digital_Savior:

... food that wasn't prepared properly (to the right temperature, etc.), food that was kept too long, ...

peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold,

peas porridge in the pot, nine days old

yummm

I also see it as a way to be grateful to God

Luke 22:17-19 (King James Version~~ KJV)

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in rememberance of me.



To vice, thank you for the reminder.

To be honest, i need to remember to 'say grace' more often. In the hustle and bustle, it tends to get forgotten.

My prayers at bedtime and morning (morning, being relatively recently) are (just about) everyday.

quote:Originally posted by xtreem5150ahm:

QUOTE Originally posted by Digital_Savior:

... food that wasn't prepared properly (to the right temperature, etc.), food that was kept too long, ...

peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold,

peas porridge in the pot, nine days old

yummm

I also see it as a way to be grateful to God

Luke 22:17-19 (King James Version~~ KJV)

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in rememberance of me.



To vice, thank you for the reminder.

To be honest, i need to remember to 'say grace' more often. In the hustle and bustle, it tends to get forgotten.

My prayers at bedtime and morning (morning, being relatively recently) are (just about) everyday.

Happy I helped. But im still unsure Digi...

quote:So, people got into the habit of praying over their meals...a little extra help from the Good Lord never hurt nobody !

Lol I would not be surprised if they did!

quote:I also see it as a way to be grateful to God...in some countries, food is a scarce commodity, and having it literally means the difference between life and death.

I think this could be another thread starter! "does God make people better of than others?". I personally don't think He does, and that it is to do with that govenment leader.

quote:When you see food that way, as opposed to the average over-indulgent, spoiled American (who takes their Burger King for granted), you are GRATEFUL to the one who provided the sustinence...God.

I really agree with you that people should be more grateful. But then again is not animals and plants self sufficiant? If so then could you not just thank God the once for when He first made the "sustinence"?

I think people should be grateful to the person that provided the food.

quote:Luke 22:17-19 (King James Version~~ KJV)

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:



Glad you found this Xtreem. But I cant find this other verse that says to be thankful for everything or something. Here He gives thanks, but to whom? Maybe just the cook?



[This message has been edited by vice (edited 07-02-2005).]

vice. Just so u know, most of what you responded to was Digital's post.. not your fault but mine.. i didnt use the quote tags properly. Sorry.

[quote]But I cant find this other verse that says to be thankful for everything or something.[/b]

i'm not sure if these are what you mean, but i think they are atleast an indication that we should "call upon His name in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks"...

Psalm 50:15

Matthew 7:7

Psalm 103:1

Psalm 118:1

Also, the 10 lepers in Luke 17 called on Jesus, but only one gave thanks.

Hannah petitioned and thanked God for the gift of a son. 1 Samuel 1 and 2.

And just so you know, i didnt have these memorized, just waiting to respond to someone. I cheated and got them from Luther's Small Catechism. LOL

No it was my fault.

I did not really indicate the change from u to her.

quote:Originally posted by Sephiroth:

Jews say Grace after meals.



Jews are fucked up... for that matter so are Christians.....oh, and Muslims....and most every other mainstream religion.

Thanks for your input hamster!

Anyway...

I found this in the Didache on the net

The Epistle of Barnabbas, written in 130-131 A.D. The Didache is not inspired:

10:3 Thou, Almighty Master, didst create all things for the sake of thy name, and hast given both meat and drink, for men to enjoy, that we might give thanks unto thee, but to us thou hast given spiritual meat and drink, and life everlasting, through thy Son.

Im sure this is it:

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus," (1 Thess. 5:16-18).