Prayers are essential to any religion because this is the moment in which believers could have a more personal encounter with their God. For Catholics, praying is also a way of life.
Priests encourage praying as a Catholic’s hotline to God. It is also through prayers that Catholics can thank God for his continuous provision of the nourishment they need for their bodies.
Praying knows no boundaries and limits; people can pray anytime, anywhere and in whatever method they prefer. Devout Catholics usually do not miss the following prayers: morning prayers, grace before meals, and bedtime prayers.
Some Catholic lunch time prayers that you can use are the following:
Prayer #1 – This is the most common lunch time prayer used by millions of Catholics all over the world.
“Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Prayer #2 – You could adapt this prayer during group lunch times because it is broader in scope.
“Lord, we thank you for the food prepared for us this lunch. We thank you for bringing us together in this table to celebrate your unending generosity and blessings. May you bless the hands that prepared this food, may they reap back the blessings of your grace. May you continue showering your blessings to all those who are gathered around this table, and the families they left behind. We also pray for people around the world that they may have the same blessings we have right now. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Prayer #3 – You could use this prayer in small family gatherings during lunch time.
“Let’s bow our heads and thank God for His blessings. Heavenly Father, thank you for the food you have blessed us with today. Thank you for the patient and loving hands, which have prepared this bountiful feast. May you bless each member of this family that through this food we could nourish our body and soul as well. Amen.”
Prayer #4 – This lunch time prayer is intended for meetings.
“Lord, as we gather around the table to partake of your blessings, may you with food nourish both our body and souls. May the strength coming from this nourishment be an instrument for us to fulfill the goals we have set up in this meeting. We ask all this in your mighty name. Amen.”
You can modify these lunch time prayers to suit the occasion. What counts is for you to sincerely thank God for the food provided on your table.
