Saying Grace.

Many households observe the tradition of pausing before a meal to give thanks for the food and other good things in their lives and on their tables. When entertaining, unless your religion has a specific guideline, you can be creative in deciding how grace will be said.

* One person - host, guest, or clergy - can say grace aloud for the group.
* The group can say grace together - you might prepare copies of the prayer for each table in advance.
* The children can say grace for the group.
* Everyone can hold hands seated or standing around the table.
* Each person can be given the opportunity to give thanks for something special.

Saying Grace in different religions :

Native American

Creator, Earth Mother,
we thank you for our lives and
this beautiful day. Thank You for the bright sun
and the rain we received last night.
Thank You for this circle of friends
and the opportunity to be together.
We want to thank You especially at this time
for the giveaway of their lives made by the
chickens, beets, carrots, grains and lettuce.
We thank them for giving of their lives
so we may continue our lives through this
great blessing.Please help us honor them
through how we live our lives.

Buddhist

(serving the food)


In this food I see clearly
the presence of the entire universe
supporting my existence.


*
(looking at the plate of food)


All living beings are struggling
for life.May they all have enough food
to eat today.


*
(just before eating)

The plate is filled with food.
I am aware that each morsel
is the fruit
of much hard work
by those who produced it.


*
(beginning to eat)

With the first taste, I promise
to practice loving kindness.
With the second, I promise
to relieve the suffering of others.
With the third,
I promise to see others' joy as my own.
With the fourth,
I promise to learn the way of nonattachment and equanimity.

*

(after the meal)

The plate is empty.
My hunger is satisfied.
I vow to live for the benefit
of all living beings.

Hindu

Affirmation to my Body

I recognize you are the temple
in which my spirit and creative energy
dwell.
I have created you from my need
to have my spirit manifested on earth
so that I may have this time to learn
and grow.
I offer you this food so that you may continue
to sustain my creative energy, my spirit,
my soul.
I offer this food to you with love,
and a sincere desire for you to remain free
from disease and
disharmony.

I accept you as my own creation.

I need you.

I love you.

Islamic

In the name of
the compassionate
and beneficent God

Judaic

Blessed art Thou, O Lord our G-d,
King of the Universe,
Who creates many living
beings and the things they
need.For all that Thou hast
created to sustain
the life of every living
being, blessed be Thou,
the Life of the universe.

Christian (Gaelic)

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking,
God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping,
God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.
God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in my mine ever-lasting soul,
God in mine serenity.