Giving Thanks and Saying Grace

Many households observe the tradition of pausing before a meal to give thanks for the food and other good things in their lives and on their tables. When entertaining, unless your religion has a specific guideline, you can be creative in deciding how grace will be said.

• One person - host, guest, or clergy - can say grace aloud for the group.
• The group can say grace together - you might prepare copies of the prayer for each table in advance.
• The children can say grace for the group.
• Everyone can hold hands seated or standing around the table.
• Each person can be given the opportunity to give thanks for something special.

Whether you are looking for a new prayer or can't remember all the words to a childhood favorite, the following links should provide plenty from which to choose.

Blessing Before Meals - Jewish blessings before meals with bread. Includes blessings in English and Hebrew.

Daily Blessing, Eating Snacks - Jewish blessings before meals without bread. Blessings are in English and Hebrew.

Family Blessing at a Gathering - A Catholic prayer for a family gathering.

Grace Before Meals - Three Catholic prayers for grace before meals.

Grace Before Meals - A collection of blessings from various Christian traditions.

Graces, Blessing Eating in Different Cultural Traditions - Prayers from Native American, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, and Christian traditions.

Meal Verses - Buddhist prayers and meditations for many daily activities. Scroll to lower portion of page for the meal prayers.

Prayers - An eclectic selection of prayers including Buddhist, Native American and African American.

Table Graces - A collection of graces from Carmel United Methodist Church.

Thanksgiving After Meals - Three Catholic prayers for after meals.

If you have any favorite mealtime prayers that have not been covered here, please submit them to your Guide using our User Submission Form and they will be added to this collection.