A prayer before meals
About 1 minute · say the bold lines out loud if you can
New to praying? Just read it slowly, or stay with one line. That counts.
From the Bible
Luther taught households to say these lines at the table: the psalm first, then a short blessing. Many Lutheran families still do. Children can learn it in a week.
The eyes of all look to you,and you give them their food in due season.You open your hand,satisfying the desire of every living thing.
Psalm 145:15–16 · NRSV · Other translations
Pray
Before the meal, after the psalm:
Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these gifts, which we receive from Your generous hand, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
After the meal:
We thank You, Lord God, Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for all Your blessings. You live and rule forever! Amen!
Luther’s prayers from the Small Catechism, translated by Robert E. Smith and placed in the public domain. All four.