Are YOU a coward?

Is there a scriptural command to ask a blessing on a meal, or is it more of a tradition?

 

How about some examples of a "real blessing"? What do you say? If some folks here would give an example of an actual blessing you would say over your food (at home AND in public), it would help me and I'm sure it would help others here. Thanks.

 

Definition required:
1) quick one____________
2) real blessing____________

Does it have to be loud enough for the "neighbors" to hear?
Does it have to be a certain length to qualify?

I think I understand what you are getting at, but some clarification is needed.

This could very easily become a "Pharisaic" topic, but hopefully not!

 

Well I got the big title in front of my name and everyone knows who I am. I dont want to make a show of prayer, so I pray to the point. It's going to vary from person-to-person.

 

Sometimes.

HankD

 

When eating with other believers, one of us always asks the blessing (in public or private). We say it just loudly enough so those at the tabel can hear -- not too loud, not too soft. This is the just the norm with the Christians I eat with. Someone usually thanks God for the day, the food, and asks Him to bless the food and conversation.

If I am eating with an unbeliever, I tell the person I usually ask a blessing for the food and that I can do this out loud or silently, whatever they prefer. So far, all of them have told me to go ahead and say it out loud.

I really don't care who sees or hears me, but I don't go out of my way to be noticed. Sometimes, the waiter or waitress will be coming to the table and will stop and wait until the blessing is over.

Doing this is from the Bible.

 

I ask the Lord bless the food that the food will strengthen and nourish our bodies. (More or less asking that theres nothing in there that might make us sick (like samonilla(sp?), fingers, glass (my daughter had found some glass in her pizza at Pizza Inn 3 months ago). My husband will mention a short prayer for the troops and emergency workers (EMT's, Police, Fire fighters), and loved one who are sick.

 

Yes, we do always. There's nothing wrong with short if it's meaningful. I've heard many 'long' ones that were repeticious (sp?) when they could have cut out at least half of it.

 

I pray the Lord's prayer followed by:
"Heer zegen deze spijs. Amen.",
before each and every meal.
Have been doing that since I was 3 years old. I've done it surrounded by Jews, Moslims and Roman Catholics and atheïsts.
I've done it in restaurants, I've done it surrounded by over 2 dozen hardline Communists all of whom were fans of Trotsky, who were about to go into battle against the Dutch riot police.

 

We ask the Lord to bless all our meals at home and at restaurants, but if we're with someone who would be embarrassed publicly, we pray to ourselves.

But, praying mealy has it's drawbacks, too. Every so often we have to stop in the middle of the blessing, back up and consciously thank the Lord for what he has given us. Otherwise, our prayers become the same repetative words that could be tape recorded and played back, if we aren't careful.

A true indication that we are slacking off is when someone says, "Did we pray yet?" and we look around at each other until someone remembers whather we did or not. If we can't remember whether we prayed, we take extra time to ask the Lord to forgive us for taking Him for granted.

 

I thank God for the food, even in a restraunt. I don't see why you have to have a long drawn out prayer asking God to bless this and heal this person, and do that. Just thank Him for the provision of food.

 

I always loudly say at some point during my prayer "I thank thee that I am not as these publicans" Just so I don't get labeled a coward. How ridiculous do we want to make this topic. Be thankful for everything, including your daily food, don't make some big pharisaical ritual out of it. I smell some additions to the scriptures in this discussion.

 

Do you beat your chest too?

 

It is my practice to pray over my meals even in public places or restaurants.

Silently if alone or sometimes aloud if accompanied by other believers.

 

As long as its a sit down restaurant, not for fast food, since I am not sure that is from God

Oh, and I reserve the burning of incense and the pyrotechnics when I'm finished for places that give you two forks.

Like Scott J, I pray for my own food silently, and I pray out loud when other believers are enjoying a meal with me, or in some cases when those who know I am a christian have asked me to bless the meal, The bottom line is, I don't make it a big production, it is simply my expression of thankfulness and gratitiude that is important, not how big the ceremony is.

 

BTW, you still have not defined what a "Real" blessing is, perhaps I missed that verse that talks about the proper full prayer required to avoid being struck by lightning when you eat?

 

Yes, we pray before every meal at home and in public places.

Yes, we pray out loud, but one can pray silently anytime and all the time.