Prayers before and after eating

The rule “Not by bread alone…” is often forgotten, especially when it comes to prayer before eating. But most religions of the world include the need to say prayers before and after meals. Thus, respect for the higher powers for the grace sent down is emphasized and gluttony is denied.

Why bless food before eating?

The Church teaches that a parishioner who considers himself to be a true believer is obliged to sit down at the refectory table and get up from behind him, having prayed twice. The words of thanksgiving before and after the consumption of foods are helpful in correctly accepting the sacrifice of angelic love that food symbolizes. In order to emphasize the sacredness of the moment and fill it with religious meaning, a prayer is read before meals.

Appeal to higher powers during the meal is divided into:

• Prayer before meals - “Our Father” is read out, you can also read “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice ...”;
• Prayer for the blessing of the products on the table;
• Prayer said at the end of the meal.

As you know, food is the source of life, but it is fraught with a number of dangers. It is easiest to succumb to the sin of gluttony. If you perceive food only as a means of obtaining pleasure, it will not bring maximum benefit.. Spoiled or unhealthy foods also harm the body and depress the spirit. That is why it is important to pray before eating, asking the Almighty for the food to be beneficial, restoring not only the mortal shell, but also the spiritual content.

If a person is truly grateful for the sent food, he says a prayer with zeal and does not perceive it as a duty. Sanctified food is better digested and richer in taste for those who consider it a gift from God.

When you make the sign of the cross on food, you are signaling to heaven that you need a blessing. You need to be baptized on yourself, from left to right. Falling should be done on the top and bottom of the table, as well as on the left and right sides.

Some believers pray additionally before cooking. A short prayer, such as:

“Creator and Creator of all kinds of God, the works of our hands, begun to Your glory, hastily correct Your blessing, and deliver us from all evil, as the One is Almighty and Lover of mankind.”

If during the cooking process you want to protect yourself from intemperance, say the following prayer:

“Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son of the Beginningless Father! Thou hast spoken with thy most pure lips, as without me you cannot do anything. For this sake, falling down to Your goodness, we ask and pray to You by Your servant (name) and to all who are here standing and praying to You, help in all their good deeds, their beginnings and their intentions. As Your power, kingdom and strength, we accept all help from You, we trust in You and send glory to You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen!"

The Christian religion teaches that turning to God before a meal is not just a given, but a kind of educational element that helps instill faith in children. If a child from an early age watches how his mother and father praise the Lord for the sent food, they develop a completely different attitude towards food and parental work, thanks to which food appeared on the table.

Proper prayer before eating includes the following aspects:

• People who have gathered to eat together stand in front of the icon or remain seated at the table and say a prayer aloud. This can be done by the eldest member of the family while the rest are in reverent silence;
• The text of the appeal should contain gratitude to the Almighty, as well as a request to bless the meal;
• After the end of the prayer, cross yourself and start eating;
• After finishing your meal, do not forget to thank the Creator for it;
• If you eat in a public place (café, canteen, restaurant), cross yourself before and after eating, and read the prayer in your thoughts;
• The church allows the utterance of prayer during snacks.

We have listed the basic rules. There are also unwritten statutes, the observance of which is welcome:

• During the refectory prayer, it is desirable that all family members be at the table;
• The rule for reading prayer words is given to its head or the most respected relative;
• Hands can be folded in a prayer gesture - a boat or fingers crossed. Bring them to your forehead and turn into your thoughts;
• Holding hands with others is optional, but not frowned upon;
• When a prayer is read, those present should fall into silence and turn aloud, conversations are not allowed;
• At the end of the prayer, you need to cross your plate. It must not be empty.

Remember that for a true believer, food serves as energy for the mind and body. It should not be taken as a pleasure. Orthodox prayer is read before meals in order to strengthen willpower and eat food in due humility. Having expressed gratitude to heaven, start eating.

Please note that if outsiders have gathered at the table, it is better to postpone the reading of the prayer, as guests may adhere to other religious views or profess a different faith. Ask for their opinion and act according to the situation. You should also behave if you are visiting.

The text of the Orthodox prayer before meals

Hunger, the need to replenish strength, the thirst for saturation - all this should not become a key moment during the meal. In order not to fall into temptation, prayer is needed before eating food. It's pretty simple:

“Bless this meal for our bodies, Lord, and let us keep You in our hearts. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen."

The following text is also allowed:

“Thank you, Lord, for daily bread and food for a bright good. Forgive me the sin of gluttony and do not send hunger as atonement. May it be so now, and forever, and forever and ever. Amen".

It is believed that food that has received a blessing as a result of prayer maintains vitality and gives the body health. If the words of gratitude were sincere, you will gain enlightenment and begin to appreciate the gifts of being more, setting its priorities correctly.

How to pray after eating?