Mealtime Prayers Can Be Deep Too: Here Are 2 Secrets

Prayer before meals is often seen as ordinary. Compared with prayers others, we may be able to offer up prayer this one without much thought. “Thank You, Lord, I can eat, amen.” Besides, with an empty stomach and food already served on the table, it is hard to focus. 

But have you ever wondered why prayer before meals feels ordinary, lacking weight? This may well be the answer.

Mealtime Prayer: A Marginalized Prayer

In truth, every prayer is important. If prayer is us speaking to God, then of course prayer has power (James 5:16-18). Also, the Lord surely hears all prayers of ours (Psalm 65:3). Mealtime prayer is no exception. 

What often becomes the problem is the heart. When we pray about something we consider important, our hearts will surely be 100% directed there. If someone is still single, they will certainly pray seriously for a life partner. Or when a family member is sick, of course we will pray earnestly so that person may recover.

So, what about prayer before meals? It may be that one reason why prayer this one gets pushed aside is because our hearts are not truly focused. Indeed, with a hungry stomach and the aroma of delicious food, it is certainly hard to communicate with God. It is far more tempting to enjoy the food right away than to pray, isn't it?

However, prayer is still prayer. Prayer is one way we can communicate with God. Even in prayer as brief as prayer before meals, God hears. So how can we make prayer this simple one more meaningful?

How Can Mealtime Prayer Be Meaningful?

Once again, the problem is a matter of the heart. When our hearts are able to see God's goodness more than the food set before us, of course we can give thanks more deeply. Prayer before meals is no longer a ritual, but a deep expression of thanks. This is our opportunity to remember God's simple yet important gift, namely food.

How? By looking again at the following two things.

God Who Provides

In prayer before meals, we can remember again the Lord who provides everything. As it is said in Genesis 1:29, ”Look, I give you every seed-bearing plant on all the earth and every tree with seed-bearing fruit; that will be your food. 

Again in Genesis 9:3, Everything that moves and lives will be food for you. I have given it all to you, just as I gave the green plants. 

Imagine it, the Lord is the One who gives all our food sources, both from plants and from animals. Indeed, we still work to obtain food. However, it is only because of the Lord's mercy that we still have food, can eat with enjoyment, and are able to enjoy that food.

Can God take all of that away? He can. For example, you may lose your job so that even eating becomes difficult. Or you may fall sick and no longer eat as enjoyably as before. You may also be trapped in war or a natural disaster. 

However, if today we are able to eat well until we are full, it is because of the Lord's blessing and provision. Did you know that being able to enjoy food is also a blessing from God (Ecclesiastes 5:19)? And that is the gratitude we need to express in our prayer before meals. 

Think about the journey of that food until it reached your table. Reflect on how you are still able to enjoy food so easily. Is that not all evidence of God's presence and care?

Have you given thanks through prayer for the food you can still enjoy today?

Making Gratitude a Habit

Our life is a life given by God. Everything we have, including food, also comes from God. If that is so, of course we will easily give thanks.

When we are able to give thanks for everything - both great and small -, surely prayer ours will be deeper. See how good God is in every circumstance, including when blessings are continually present.

As the Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Give thanks in all things, for this is what God wills for you in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul underscores thanksgiving because it is indeed difficult for us to give thanks. Therefore, giving thanks must be practiced and made a habit.

Prayer before meals is one opportunity for us to give thanks. According to FAO data (Food and Agricultural Organization), in 2020 there were 768 million people suffering from hunger. Of these, 418 million lived in Asia. If today we can enjoy eating 3 meals a day, without delay, does that not mean we are far more fortunate than those more than 700 million people?

Especially if our plates are full of food, all the more reason we have to thank the Lord.  If today your plate is full of food, whether at midday or at night, surely you have many reasons to give thanks to the Lord.

Give Thanks, Give Thanks, and Keep Giving Thanks

Prayer before meals, though small, actually holds great meaning. We come to understand the extraordinary power and goodness of God. That to this day we can still enjoy our daily food is a truly marvelous miracle.

Compare that with those who have to struggle just to eat. Look at those who find it hard to eat, whether because of illness or medical conditions. Look at how many people in this world suffer from hunger. How very fortunate we are!

By reflecting on the things above, prayer before meals will no longer feel ordinary. In prayer ours, let us take time to truly give thanks. Not merely a prayer hurried through as routine. Not merely a “to-do list” before eating. Let us give thanks for His provision, His blessings, and even for our ability to enjoy every spoonful and bite of our food. 

Also, besides giving thanks, we can bring our friends who are in need in our prayers. Let us ask the Lord that those who lack may one day have their needs met.

Let us give thanks and keep giving thanks for the Lord's blessings!

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