Example: Bless this food and the people who prepared it. Many thanks for the meal and the company.
Example: I’m blessed to be able to spend the holidays here with all of you. Let us appreciate this meal in fellowship and celebration. Example: It’s such a blessing to be able to come together and celebrate the life of Aunt Jan in this wonderful group of people. Many thanks for the meal and the fellowship. Example: It’s such a pleasure to spend a warm summer evening on the porch with all of you and this wonderful food. Let’s all offer thanks for the bounty we’ve received.
Example: I’ve always looked up to Aunt Jan as a personal inspiration and hero for her kind dedication to service and cheerful outlook on life. I’ll always cherish the hours we spent together in her garden. I count myself blessed to have someone in my life as inspiring as her, and to be able to gather here today and celebrate her life with you all. Example: What a blessing to come together today for this wonderful meal at the end of the week. Our thoughts are with Jason as his completes another tough week of school, and with Karen during the first days of a new job, and with all our family who can’t be here tonight. May they be blessed and filled with happiness.
All present take hands, or bow their heads quietly. A quick moment or two of silence before beginning, enough for a centering breath. The blessing or prayer, a few sentences at most. The closing. “Amen,” a Hebrew word meaning “It is so” is a common closing for Christian and personal or secular prayers alike.
Example: Bless this food to our bodies, Lord, and let us hold you in our hearts. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Example: Bless us, oh Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord we pray, Amen.
Before the meal: Bismillahi wa ‘ala baraka-tillah. (In Allah’s name and upon the blessings granted by Allah, we eat. ) After the meal: Alham do lillah hilla-thee At Amana wa saquana waja ‘alana minal Muslimeen. (All praise to Allah who gave us food and drink and who made us Muslims. )
The meal: Baruch Eloheinu she-achalnu mishelo uv’tuvo chayinu. Baruch hu uvaruch sh’mo. (Praised be our God, of whose abundance we have eaten, and by whose goodness we live. Praised be the Eternal God. ) The land: Kakatuv, v’achalta v’savata, uveirachta et Adonai Elohecha al haaretz hatovah asher natan lach. Baruch atah Adonai, al haaretz v’al hamazon. (As it is written: When you have eaten and are satisfied, give praise to your God who has given you this good earth. We praise You, O God, for the earth and for its sustenance. ) Jerusalem: Uv’neih Y’rushalayim ir hakodesh bimheirah v’yameinu. Baruch atah Adonai, boneh v’rachamav Y’rushalayim. Amen. (Let Jerusalem, the holy city, be renewed in our time. We praise You, Adonai, in compassion You rebuild Jerusalem. Amen. ) God: HaRachaman, hu yimloch aleinu l’olam va-ed. HaRachaman, hu yitbarach bashamayim uvaaretz. HaRachaman, hu yishlach b’rachah m’rubah babayit hazeh, v’al shulchan zeh she-achalnu alav. HaRachaman, hu yishlach lanu et Eliyahu HaNavi, zachur latov, vivaser lanu b’sorot tovot, y’shuot v’nechamot. (Merciful One, be our God forever. Merciful One, heaven and earth alike are blessed by Your presence. Merciful One, bless this house, this table at which we have eaten. Merciful One, send us tidings of Elijah, glimpses of good to come, redemption and consolation. )
Brahmārpaṇam brahma havir (Brahman is the oblation) Brahmāgnau brahmanāhutam (Brahman is what constitutes the offerings) Brahmaiva tena gantavyam (by Brahman is the oblation poured into the fire of Brahman) Brahma karma samādhinā. (Brahman verily shall be reached by him who always sees Brahman in all actions. )
Example: Good food, good meat, good God, let’s eat. Example: Lord, we know without a doubt, you’ll bless this food as we pig out. Example: Bless this food before us set, which needs all the help that it can get.
Example: May your glass be ever full, may the roof over your head be always strong, and may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead. Example: When I dream of Heaven, I dream of the past / Surrounded by good friends raising a glass.
For each new morning with its light, / For rest and shelter of the night, / For health and food, for love and friends, / For everything Thy goodness sends, / We offer thanks. Amen.
Japanese: itadakimasu (I am receiving) Latin American: To those who have hunger, give bread. To those who have bread, give hunger for justice. Ghanaian: Earth, when I am about to die I will lean on you. While I am alive, I will depend on you. Southeast Asia: This food is the gift of the whole universe. May we be worthy to receive it. May the energy in this food give us the strength to transform our unwholesome qualities into wholesome qualities.
