Lenten Devotion - Saturday, April 5

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 106:1

My earliest memories include praying before each meal.  The common table prayer has become part of the fabric of my being. It warms my heart now to see my grandchildren also learning the words of this dear prayer.

In some homes and when I was growing up, the children were required to sit at the table until they were excused.  In the evening, especially during Advent and Lent, the meal concluded with our family devotions. As we were excused we would pray Psalm 106:1. We called this event, “Returning thanks!”

How appropriate it is to pray before and after meals! We seek God’s blessing upon our food and thank him for these great gifts.

Martin Luther included this form for our dinner prayers in the Small Catechism:

Asking a Blessing
The children and members of the household shall go to the table reverently, fold their hands, and say:
The eyes of all look to You, [O Lord,] and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. [Ps. 145:15–16]

Then shall be said the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Returning Thanks
Also, after eating, they shall, in like manner, reverently and with folded hands say:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. [He] gives food to every creature. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. [Ps. 136:1, 25; 147:9–11]

Then shall be said the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

It certainly would be a wholesome practice to pray the Lord’s Prayer before and after each of our meals as Luther suggests.

Prayer: We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus

Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.