prayer for food

This page has six simple prayers for giving thanks before meals. The first prayer is appropriate for a time of celebration, such as wedding reception or baptism. The next prayer reminds us that the origins of our food lie in the wonderous creative hand of God, fashioning "so many tastes and textures, colours and aromas". The third prayer is a simple grace to say before eating. There is also a prayer suitable for saying as a blessing before lunchtime, a prayer for before a birthday meal, and a grace for the Thanksgiving day dinner.

Dinner prayer
(a food blessing suitable for a family occassion)

Lord,
Thank you for family and friends
Thank you for times like these
Where we can gather together,
Share in food, drink and relax.

Please bless this meal, and all that it means.
May the food nourish us,
And the fellowship enrich our lives.
Most of all, may we always invite you into our homes,
And into our hearts.

Amen.

what's on this page?

• dinner prayer

• a prayer for food

• grace before meals prayer

• lunch prayer

• bible verses about food

"may we always invite you into our homes, and into our hearts"

Prayer for food

O Lord,

Thank you for the harvest, that you give us our daily bread.
Thank you for the smallest seed which can grow to feed us.
Thank you for creating so many tastes and textures,
colours and aromas.
We wonder at these miracles and give thanks for all these gifts.

Amen.

Creative ways to thank God for food

The apostle Paul encourages the church at Thessalonica to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV). We need not just restrict ourselves to meal times when we give thanks to God. The next time you are queuing at the supermarket check-out, why not quietly give thanks to God for your basket of food!

bible quote on thanks to God with yellow flowers in background

click here to read some inspiring prayers of thanksgiving

Grace Before Meals Prayer

Lord, thank you for this day,
For work and play, family and friendship.
Thank you for this food, may you bless it to our bodies.
In Jesus name,

Amen.

Lunch prayer

Lord Jesus, as we eat, help us to remember your provision and goodness.
May this lunchtime be more than food to us.
Time to share with others
Time to remember those who hunger
Time to dwell upon your sacrifice.
As we eat help us to remember your provision and goodness with thankful hearts.

Amen.

Prayer Before a Birthday Meal

Father, we thank you so much that we can all be together now to celebrate this special day with (name). Thank you for this time of friendship, fun and food. Come be with us Lord as we share this wonderful birthday meal.

Amen.

bible verses about food

Christ gives thanks for the bread and wine

"Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food."

(Genesis 1:29, NIV)

The Apostle Paul's advice on food

Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.”

(Luke 22:19, The Message)

"When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God."

(1 Corinthians 10:31, CEV)

Short grace prayer for Thanksgiving Day

(suitable as a grace prayer before the meal)

Lord, you made a world full of goodness,
Filled with beauty, love and nourishment.
Now as we talk and eat and pray,
We praise you Lord for Thanksgiving day.

further reading

thanksgiving prayers
including a short grace to say before the Thanksgiving Day meal.

birthdays
a selection of birthday prayers & messages for family & loved ones, such as a daughter or son.

the serenity prayer
The full original version of the beautiful 'Serenity Prayer' (includes a printable pdf of this famous prayer).

night prayer
a selection of short and inspiring Christian prayers for bedtime and before sleeping.