Singing the Mealtime Prayer

One of our family’s current favorite ways to pray before meals is to sing our prayer. Usually we sing a slightly modified version of a traditional prayer, “God Is Great and God Is Good,” to the tune Hendon, the music for the hymn “Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know.”

God is great and God is good,
Let us thank him for our food.
By his hand we all are fed,
Thank you, Lord, for daily bread.
Thank you, Lord, for daily bread. Amen.

You can also sing this gender-inclusive version, which makes it clear that God is neither male nor female:

God is great and God is good,
Let us thank God for our food.
By God’s hand we all are fed,
Thank you, Lord, for daily bread.
Thank you, Lord, for daily bread. Amen.

Another good sung mealtime prayer is often called “The Wesley Grace,” although the words are attributed to John Cennick.

Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored;
Thy creatures bless, and grant that we
May feast in paradise with thee. Amen.

This prayer, which reminds us of Jesus’ promise that we are invited to a great heavenly banquet with God, is usually sung to the tune Old 100th, a tune that has been used for the doxology sung in many Protestant worship traditions.

Singing the mealtime prayer is not just reserved for families with children; it is also appropriate for adults of all ages. Dean McIntyre, who works for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, joyfully reminds gatherings of worship leaders that singing our grace reminds us not only of the spiritual dimension of food, but also the joy of sharing a meal with others.