Who says Grace before meals (including at restaurants)?

We always pray before meals whether we are home or out in a restaurant or in another's home or where ever.

We all say it together, the same prayer at every meal, with hands together in "prayer hands" position.

That doesn't make sense to me that my family praying is somehow offensive to the people around us. Give me a break. To each his own. I believe in my Lord and that *should* be my right as a U.S. Citizen [a freedom both my husband and I were willing to fight for in the U.S. Military in fact].

I don't care for the hideously immodest clothing many people wear out to eat myself, but I fully respect their right to wear it [I was willing to fight for them to have that freedom too ]. I certainly expect the same consideration for my right to pray to God.

If someone does not believe in God, then why on Earth would they care if I pray or not? If they don't believe in God, then I'm just wasting my breath, why does that bother them?

Simply being a Christian seems to be offensive in and of itself these days, but they are gonna have to just go on and throw me to the lions on that one because it isn't gonna change and I'm not going to eat without thanking my generous God for the food.

Kelly
Crotchety old Christian Veteran who is sick of watching our freedoms disappear in rapid succession.

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Single Mom to 6 awesome monkey babies, 2 mutt dogs, and hoping for a place where I can raise animals again one day.
http://martianmama.blogspot.com/

Yes, we pray before meals.
Always when at home.

And, at a restarant, when someone remembers.

We pray before every meal at home, or away. As Dad is head of the home, he prays. When he's not here due to work, travel, etc., we take turns.

We try not to draw attention to ourselves, but if it does, oh well. I'm not ashamed of God, and I don't want Him to be ashamed of me.

We pray a "from the heart, sincere" type of prayer. I don't want my kids to repeat the same words to me every day, so I don't do it to Him.

Tammy

We always say grace before our meals, we hold hands and recite a prayer, even when out in town.

At home, we also take turns reading whatever chapter of Proverbs corrolate with what day of the month it is.

Excellent instruction from God for us on a daily basis.

<///><

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"...if only men were granted absolute freedom, and compelled to obey no-one, would they then associate themselves in the common good."

We pray most of the time. I almost always pray befor each meal,even if it is quitly to myself. My husband seams to forget to pray befor meals and has atmited to having trouble praying out loud. He dosen't really like praying in public. But I try to encorage him and our son to pray over their food no matter where they are.

I thank the Lord everyday for providing nourishment and strength for my body.
When dinning out (hardly ever) with friends, we pray out loud and even have biblical discussions. I'm not ashamed of being heard or speaking the Gospel.
It is my way of giving thanks and praise.

Debbie

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Debbie



Yahweh-Raah
The Lord My Shepherd

What I spoke of is not meant that we are "offended" but merely a feeling of awkwardness.

Out of respect I feel as though I am not supposed to be talking, eating etc when I am in close proximity of those in prayer. The looks on the other diners faces when they realize they are talking, joking etc seems to be that they feel the same as the lady above whom accidentally interrupts the prayer to ask "who had the fish?"

Would be like talking during a grace being said at the Thanksgiving table.

To those wanting to make my words into being "offended" you are just playing the victim card.

These are usually the same types who like to espouse "Sunday is the Lords day. It is a day of rest, a day of reflection on the glories the Lord has bestowed on us and to thank Him and praise him and not a day to work, or pursuit of other matters"

My retired preacher grandfather is one of these. He will not hunt,mow grass etc on "the Lords day" and gets all fire and brimstone about those that do

Then he goes out to eat after church and stops at Wal Mart. If he would stay out of those places maybe they could be better people and not sinners for having to work on Sunday.

I feel MOST not ALL people who pray in eating establishments do it as a way of getting attention and to force their religious feelings on others. Watch them closely. When done they will look around to see who all is looking at them when done.

Yes, and when in public we do it quietly.

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"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence"
Robert Frost

We do it before everymeal, everywhere. Not doing it for attention in public. Doing it in public becasuse if we don't, my kids immediately call us on it. So we do it for them, and to express our gratitude to the Lord. If I am out by myself it is a quiet prayer, if my family is with me, we will say it out loud. Thankfully I don't live in the "Bible Belt" - I live in the "Buckle" - so giving thanks in public is certainly not unusal around here...

Interesting topic.

I can't top that.

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Having a deep emotional conversation with my quilted buddy..........

Yes, we do. Restaurants as well.
Dad prays or asks a child too.