The practice of praying over food before eating did start today. It is an agelong practice. It has been in existence before even you were born. Our fathers practised it. Ancient and modern Christians practised it; Both Old and New Testament saints practised it. Praying over meals before eating is generally known in Christendom as “Saying Grace Over Meals.” Do you practise it? I hope you do, but if you don’t, start today with the next meal you are going to eat.
Although not specifically written in black and white, it is assumed that, Adam and Eve, in their pure and perfect state, thanked God for their foods before eating because it is natural to do so – to show appreciation for a gift, especially, food! What about other Old Testament saints? How do we know they practised it?
This is what Deuteronomy 8 verse 10 says, “When thou has eaten and art full, then thou shall bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.”
In Psalm 103 verse 2, the Bible says, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Food is one of the benefits which their souls blessed the Lord for before and after eating.
New Testament saints always gave thanks to God for their food before they ate as seen in Romans 14 verse 6b, which says, “He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks.” In 1 Timothy 4 verses 3and 4 has the following to say:
“3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.” The words “meats” and “creature” used in the two verses refer to the different kinds of food we eat. So, saying the grace before eating is popular among the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Bible Day.
Instances In The Bible Where Prayers Were Made Over Food Before Eating
- Jesus prayed over food before feeding the multitude that gathered to hear Him as seen in John 6 verse 11, “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.”
- The night Jesus was betrayed. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). He also did the same thing over the wine they drank (verse 27).
From those two instances, you could see that, Jesus demonstrated it as an example for His followers to practise, and we are commanded to walk even as He walked (1 Peter 2: 21b) and in 1 John 2 verse 6, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
Why It Is Important To Pray Over Food Before Eating
The following are eight importance of praying over food before eating it:
- It is a way of showing and declaring your appreciation to God for providing you with the food.
- Grateful hearts would always express gratitude to givers of gifts they receive. So, in doing so, you show to God and others who may be with you that you have a grateful heart.
- It shows your obedience and compliance with what the scriptures command.
- The food is sanctified by the prayer thereby purifying it of anything in it that is not good for the body.
- It is a way of bringing Bible tradition into modern times, thereby, making the tradition not to become extinct.
- It shows you recognize God as the Giver of the food you are about to eat which in turn brings glory to God and makes Him to bless you with more.
- It shows self-control over your appetite. Despite the fact that you are hungry and want to eat, you still control yourself from rushing into eating immediately.
- It is one of the ways you show publicly that you are a Christian.
- It is a sign of respect for the food you want to eat.
- It releases God’s Presence over you as you eat.
What To Say When Praying Over Your Food
Some people do not have any clue as to what to say in prayer over their food when they are about to eat. So, they just ahead to eat without saying the grace. If you are in that shoe, never worry, here are some or the things you can say in praying over your delicious meals:
- Thank God for providing the food. Thank Him for the one(s) that cooked and prepared the food. Thank Him for giving you the appetite to eat and providing you with the money to get the food.
- Pray that the food will nourish and strengthen you as you eat.
- Pray that the food will increase your health and act as medicine to your body, especially, if you are sick.
- Ask God to sanctify it with the Blood of Jesus Christ.
Friend, it is good to pray over your food before eating. Start and never stop!
Thank you for reading.
FAIR USE DISCLAIMER
The devotionals and videos on this site are used for spiritual educational and informational purposes only and are used for good intentions and within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. if you are the copyright owner or represent the copyright owner and believe your copyright has been violated or infringed upon, please, contact me by clicking HERE to make your complaints known with proofs of being the original copyright owner or the representative.
