|
|
|
|
Man
is a hungry being. But he is hungry for God. Behind all hunger of our life is
God. All desire is finally a desire for Him. To be sure, man is not the only
hungry being. All that exists lives by “eating.”
The whole creation depends on food. But the unique position of man in the
universe is that he alone is to bless God for the food and the life he receives
from Him. He alone is to respond to God’s
blessing with his blessing.[1]
Fr.
Alexander Schmemann
It's
so easy to "dig in" without pausing to thank God and ask Him to bless
the food. In our rush and haste, it seems that we fall short of expressing the
fullness of what God created us to be, and in so doing, neglect our sacred
calling. This is why it is important for us to say a blessing before we eat.
Prayers
before Meals
In
the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our
Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto
ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. then O
Christ our God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art Holy,
always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. or They
that hunger shall eat and be satisfied, they that seek after the Lord shall
praise Him; their hearts shall live forever. Amen. or Bless
us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts of which we are about to partake, for Thou art
blessed and glorified; now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Prayers
after
Meals
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto
ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. then Blessed
is God, Who is merciful unto us and nourishes us from His bounteous gifts by His
grace and compassion, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. or We
thank Thee, O Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly
gifts, deprive us not of Thy Heavenly Kingdom; but as Thou entered into the
midst of Thy disciples, O Savior, and gave them peace, enter also among us and
save us. Amen. or We
thank thee, O God, the Giver of all good things, for these gifts and all Thy
mercies, and we bless Thy Holy Name, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen. A
Prayer for Thanksgiving Day
Based
on
Fr. Alexander Schmemann's Thanksgiving Prayer[2] Thank
You, O Lord, for accepting our worship of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, and which filled our hearts with joy, peace, and righteousness. Thank
You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself to us and for giving us the foretaste
of Your Kingdom. Thank
You, O Lord, for having united us to one another, in serving You and Your Holy
Church. Thank
You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions,
passions, and temptations and for having restored peace, mutual love and joy in
sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit. Thank
You, O Lord, for the sufferings you have bestowed upon us, for they are
purifying us from selfishness and remind us of the "one thing needed: Your
eternal Kingdom." Thank
You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to worship You. Thank
You, O Lord, for our families, husbands, wives and especially, children, who
teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name with joy. Thank
You, O Lord, for the abundance of food and drink of which we are about to
partake. Thank
You, O Lord, for everyone and everything. Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous
are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate your miracles. Amen. |
