RPM, Volume 14, Number 29, July 15 to July 21, 2012

 

Family Mealtime Prayers

 

Scripture Prayers for All Ages and Occasions

 

By   Dale Cangelosi, Cory Cangelosi, Caleb Cangelosi,
and Preschool prayers by Crystal Bowman  

Herein is a sample of a few of the Prayers available in a new book, entitled, Family Mealtime Prayers: Scripture Prayers for All Ages and Occasions. This is a valuable resource for family worship. A complete copy of this resource may be purchased at:  Family Mealtime Prayers.

 

Endorsements:

"The Scriptures and the church have a long and admirable history of using written prayers for occasions like public worship, special events, and personal devotion. "Family Mealtime Prayers" is a wonderful contribution to this tradition. It gives parents and children fresh ways to express their thankfulness to God, and helps them see his provision against the backdrop of many different biblical truths."

Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr., author of Pray With Your Eyes Open, Designed for Dignity, and He Gave Us Prophets; Founder and President of Third Millennium Ministries.

"Mealtime prayers, for most of us, are rather perfunctory, a ritual to be observed and seldom from the heart. The authors have done us a great service in providing for us a book of Scripture-based prayers for mealtimes that turn our hearts toward God. I heartily recommend this book."

Jerry Bridges, author of The Pursuit of Holiness.

"…I'm grateful for Family Mealtime Prayers—a welcome corrective to halfhearted table routines. The book is relentlessly Godward, with worship and thanksgiving reverberating throughout its pages. I warmly recommend it."

Matt Smethurst, Editor, The Gospel Coalition.

"These prayers speak to the heart of today's children and adults, confronting them with the claims of Christ, and encouraging them with the promises of God's word, and will open wide the door to continued conversation with God."      

Rev. Ed Graham, Pastor-In-Residence, Billy Graham Training Center, Asheville, NC.

Introduction

Have you ever been in a rut? They're not very easy to escape, are they? One rut most of us are in is the rut of the mealtime prayer. We tend to say the same thing to God every time we ask the blessing at a meal with our family or friends. Maybe it's, "Bless this food to our bodies and us to your service," or "God is great, God is good, and we thank him for our food." Whatever your prayer rut might be, this book has been written for you.

These prayers are meant to be used around the breakfast, lunch, or dinner table. They are based upon the Word of God, the Bible. The prayers are full of variety to help you get out of your rut. They are also full of truth that is as nourishing as the food before you. As you sit down with your family each day, you can select one of the prayers offered in this book. After you have finished eating, read and discuss the Scripture passages associated with the prayer. Reflect on God's Word and what it means to you. In the children's sections, the Scripture verses are provided for you. Read them to your children and encourage them to memorize these verses that were selected just for them. 

We pray that God would use these mealtime prayers to renew your prayer life and draw you to a closer relationship with him.

Adult Prayers

Day 1

We are made right with God when we believe in Christ.

We thank you, Father, that you did not spare even your own Son, but gave him up for us all as the sacrifice for our sins. Though he was innocent of sin, he sacrificed his life for us and freed us from the penalty of sin. Thank you for declaring us right with you through faith in Christ alone. Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, and us to your service, through Jesus our Lord. Amen.  (Romans 8:32; Romans 3:24-25)  

Day 2

God is our refuge and strength.

Thank you, Lord, for being our refuge and strength, always ready to help us in times of trouble. We never need to fear if we put our hope in you. You are the source of all our joy. Thank you for pouring out your unfailing love on us each day. We give you glory and praise for all your gifts, including the food before us this day. Help us to eat and drink to your glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. (Psalm 46)  

Day 3

Christ offered himself up for us as a fragrant offering to God.

Thank you, Father, for pouring out on Christ the punishment that we deserved. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much, that you gave yourself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to your Father. Thank you for delivering us from sin and allowing us to be forgiven.  Thank you for the food set before us this day. In Jesus' name. Amen. (Ephesians 5:2)  

Prayers for Children (ages 5-12)

Day 1

Help me to always pray.

Dear God, you have given us many things to be thankful for, like our home, our food, and our family. We especially thank you for eternal life through Jesus. No matter how hard life gets, help us to always rejoice in you and talk with you about everything in prayer.  Please bless this food in Jesus' name. Amen. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 ESV ‎Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.

Day 2

Help me to be nice.

Dear God, thank you for loving us even when we disobey you.  Please help our family to be nice to others even when they are mean to us.  And especially help us to be nice to our family and those around this table. Please bless this food you have given to us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:15  NLT  See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.  

Day 3

God made me beautiful.

Thank You, Lord, for making each of us beautiful. We are the works of your hands, and your works are wonderful.  All that you do is good, and you never make mistakes. We thank you for making this food that we are about to eat. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Psalm 139:13-15 NIV84  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.‎ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ‎My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place; When I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Scripture Prayers for Little Ones

Day 1

You made this day.

Dear God, I thank you for making this day just for me. I will be happy today because you love me. Thank you for my food. Please bless me today. Bless Mommy and Daddy too. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalm 118:24 NLT This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  

Day 2 I will obey.

Thank you, Jesus, for Mommy and Daddy. Thank you that they love me and take care of me. Help me to obey them. That is the right thing to do. Please bless my family and bless my food. Amen.  

Ephesians 6:1 ICB Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants. This is the right thing to do.

Day 3 You give me food.

Dear Jesus, I thank you for my food. I thank you for good things to eat and drink. Help me to grow strong and be healthy. Please give food to children who are hungry. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 107:9 NLT For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Holiday Prayers

Good Friday

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ has taken away our sins.

Dear Father, it is because of your Son, Jesus Christ, that we can have a relationship with you. When he sacrificed his life on the cross and shed his blood, he offered forgiveness to all who believe in him. His blood washes away our sins and makes us righteous before you, so that we may come into your presence with clean hearts. Thank you that through Jesus Christ you have taken away the sin of the world. Thank you for your grace and mercy and love. Please bless this food. In Jesus' name we humbly pray. Amen.

Romans 3:25 NLT For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

John 3:16 ESV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that  whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.   

A Prayer for Children

      Thank you, Father, for you Son who gave his life for everyone. Jesus took our sins away, so we can live in heaven someday. He died for me - I know it's true, so I will put my trust in you. Thank you for our food today. Bless us now, dear Lord, I pray. In Jesus name, amen.  

Easter

The resurrection of Christ gives us hope for eternal life.

Dear Father, we rejoice today because of the empty tomb. Death could not contain our Savior! Thank you for raising your Son from the dead so we can have the hope of eternal live. Lord, we have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ, and have been given new life through his resurrection. We give you praise and glory today for this unspeakable gift. Help us to live in newness of life each day and in gratitude for the gift of salvation and hope of eternal life. Please bless our family and this food that we are about to eat. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen.

Acts 2:24 NIV But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on   him.

1 Peter 1:3 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.     

A Prayer for Children

Thank you, Lord, for Easter Day; the angel rolled the stone away. Thank you for the life you gave. Thank you for the empty grave. Hallelujah! Jesus lives! What a special day this is! Lord, we give our praise to you. Bless us, Lord, in all we do. In Jesus' name, amen.  

Mother's Day

A woman who fears God will be praised.

      Thank you, Lord, for mothers. We honor them today and are grateful for what they mean to us. Thank you for mothers who care for little ones, who love and nurture growing children, and who always have a listening ear. Thank you for their unselfish ways and dedication to   their families. Please bless them today and let them know how much they are loved and appreciated. Please help every mother to find her strength and joy in you. Thank you for this food and for our family. We ask your blessing in Jesus' name. Amen.

Proverbs 23:25 NIV May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!  

Proverbs 31:30 NLT Charm is deceptive, and beauty  does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will  be  greatly praised.    

A Prayer for Children

      Lord, thank you for our Mother. Please keep her in your care. Thank you for her special love and for the home we share. Give her peace and happiness; give her health and rest. Thank you for our family, for we are truly blessed. In Jesus name I pray, amen.        

This article is provided as a ministry of Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill). If you have a question about this article, please email our Theological Editor.

 

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