Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing.

Matthew 14:19

My wife’s uncle loved to sing before meals, so my wife’s favorite mealtime prayer is “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.” Before they have snacks, our VBS children often request to sing the Johnny Apple Seed prayer, “Oh, the Lord’s been good to me.” As for me, my favorite is the Common Table Prayer, “Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest.”

Our grandson’s favorite mealtime prayer is a bit unusual as it has only one word, “Grace!” It occurred to me that his one-word prayer reminds us that God, through His grace, does provide for our daily needs. But, as Ephesians 2:8 states, “By grace you have been saved.” Grace is God’s gift that gives us eternal peace, joy, and life.

Stan Tordsen
Stewartville, MN

Dear Jesus, before feeding the 5,000, You took time to say a blessing. Help us to follow Your example. Amen.

Reflect: Share your favorite mealtime prayer with family, friends, and neighbors.

Read: Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 14:17