Dinner Grace

mwashbur4

I need some help coming up with a dinner grace, some parts of our families are quite religous although we are not. I am trying to find a grace that acknowledges god but doesn't say god 15 times throughout any help would be really appreciated!

tidetravel

Do you need to do a public grace?  Can't your super-religious guests simply say a prayer to themselves before they eat?

ootmother2

The pretty traditional one said in schools long ago was
"
"We thank thee for this food dear Lord, which thou did kindly give, help us to show our thanks to thee, by how we talk and live" amen

lauralaur

Could you ask a family member to say grace? Someone who understands your views and would keep it low key? I've never heard a grace read before, whoever is saying it just says whatever they feel is appropriate in my family/circle.

eastunder1

Do you have a pastor that is coming to the reception?  I would just ask him to say a few words before dinner.  He'll most likely say something about blessing the food and/or the new marriage.  Easy peasy.  If no pastor, ask a family member who enjoys that sort of thing.  I think scripting something out before hand is unnecessary and takes away from what you're trying to do in that moment.   

I wouldn't worry about saying God too many times in the prayer.  Its a prayer.  People expect it.  I'm decidedly non religious and am not offended or bothered in the slightest by mealtime prayer.  I just sit quietly while it is occurring.  Anyone with an ounce of manners will do the same. 

Kristin&eric

Good Food got meat good God lets Eat!!!! See short and simple and then you dont have to wonder when its gonna be over so you can eat!!!

squirrly

I vote for skipping grace.  If you can't skip it, hopefully your pastor isn't wordy when praying and can take care of it for you.  If they're not attending the reception just ask someone who is attending and is succinct. 

smokyhills

The traditional one that my maternal grandfather always said was
"We thank thee, oh lord, for this food and all our many blessings. Be with us here and with our family as they travel (and usually at this point anyone who's sick, or in trouble, or whatever) In Jesus' name, amen."

I also feel the need to share my (very non religious) paternal family's prayer, which I do intend to use at my wedding.

"Grace be here
and grace be there
and grace be o'er the table
ill to ain*
pick up a spain
and sup as fast as you're able"

(Ill to ain basically means ill wishes towards no one present)

september's bride

Here's the one we used. I don't know if it's too religious for you, but here you go. Sorry if the formatting goes wonky.

Heavenly Father,

we ask you to bless this food and those who prepared it and those who will serve it.

We also ask your blessing on Kelly and Jonathan who have come to you this day

to unite themselves with you in love and sacrament.

Bless them and those they love, all the days of their lives.

 

 In Jesus' name.

 Amen.

Kristin789

We had a retired minister do a blessing of the newly-married couple, and at the end, he added something like:  "And bless the people who have gathered here to witness this wedding and serve as marriage mentors, and bless this meal and fellowship time we are about to enjoy together.  Amen."

mwhitson14

Kristin's wording is like ours was. The pastor that did our ceremony, blessed us and the food and the hands that prepared it, and presented us. That way, there was not stopping the reception for a meal prayer.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

Our grace is very simple and we say it at all our really large, family meals.

"Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest,
And let this food to us be blessed.
Amen"

Short, sweet, to the point.

thesuninherhead

I understand family pressure, but if you yourselves aren't religious, it seems a little bizarre that you'll be saying grace at your reception.

felkels

I am having my childhood pastor perform communion at our ceremony (different from the pastor actually doing the cremony), and I have asked him to say grace at the meal to get him more involved.  good luck!  Oh, here is my favorite short and sweet one... "Gods neat, Lets eat!"  lol  sorry, that probably didn't help.

SheTeaches

We just discussed this very issue yesterday.  The pastor who is performing the ceremony cannot attend the reception, so the other mother and I worked it out so that her husband (Father of Bride) will welcome everyone and my husband will ask the blessing.  Her husband is quite shy about speaking in public, but mine is experienced and comfortable.  We'll have the DJ introduce the parents and wedding party, then the two fathers, and then the servers will start bringing out the salads.  All the people on all sides of our families are religious but from varying Christian traditions.  We look forward to being unified in our joy and prayers for the happy couple. 

Fortunately, all of us get along really well, too, and are enjoying every moment of the wedding planning.  I couldn't be a happier MOG! 

PreppySailor

I asked my Grandfather to say a SHORT grace for us, he did an excellent job, I think it was something like:

"Lord, we ask your blessing for this food that was so lovingly prepared, and we ask your blessing at this wonderful celebration, and your presence in the marriage of bride and groom"

CLSchramm

Is there anyone close to you, say a grandfather or uncle, who you've heard pray and like their style? I think if you know someone says lenghty "thank you God, thanks you Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit" prayers, obviously don't ask that person, but if you ask someone to 'please say a short grace', I'm sure they'll feel honored and do a beautiful job.

I Want Cake

I'd skip it, but I'm one of those heathen atheists who's not allowing the word "god" anywhere in our wedding or any events surrounding it.  Here's hoping nobody takes it upon themselves to do it for us.

If you're not comfortable with a grace, then just don't do it.  If people feel the need to pray, they can do it silently to themselves.

superjules916

I am asking our officiant (and dear friend) to say grace at our reception. Neither of our families are perticularly "religious" (A word I hate due to it's impersonal nature) but we have a strong relationship with Christ. It's your wedding, did you consider your families' religious preference in your ceremony or did you do what felt right to you? Your grace should be about your religious preference as well. The people at yuor wedding should be the ones who love and support you and that means being respectful during grace whether it is or isn't generally their custom. Plus, although many people believe that spirituality is a personal thing, the people closest to you should already know and respect your religious preference.