meal prayers?

[RachelKH]

At meals, I take turns with my children in leading in prayer.  Often we just speak from our hearts, thanking God for the food, etc, but we like to use memorized prayers too.  Of course we all know and the "Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord.  Amen" but I like to wake us up with other ones, which the kids all learn quickly.  One I would like to share my Theresa had memorized before she was three years old, but I can't remember the source.  If anyone knows this one and knows the author, please remind me.

O Lord, we thank you for this food,
for every blessing and every good,
for earthly sustenance and love,
bestowed on us from God above,
be present at our table, Lord,
be here and everywhere adored,
Thy children bless,
and grant that we
may feast in paradise with Thee.
Amen.

[Shin]

I usually use the old standby from the Baltimore Catechism, but this one I think I will pick up as well! Deo gratias!

[Patricia]

I like this one too and I will teach it to my children.

[Brigid]

At meals, I take turns with my children in leading in prayer.  Often we just speak from our hearts, thanking God for the food, etc, but we like to use memorized prayers too.  Of course we all know and the "Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord.  Amen" but I like to wake us up with other ones, which the kids all learn quickly.  One I would like to share my Theresa had memorized before she was three years old, but I can't remember the source.  If anyone knows this one and knows the author, please remind me.

O Lord, we thank you for this food,
for every blessing and every good,
for earthly sustenance and love,
bestowed on us from God above,
be present at our table, Lord,
be here and everywhere adored,
Thy children bless,
and grant that we
may feast in paradise with Thee.
Amen.

I'm very impressed that you can teach your little children to memorize such lengthy prayers!

[RachelKH]

well, i've never had a problem with prayer length -- Theresa and Julia both learned to recite the Hail, Holy Queen at an early age as a reward for behaving well during the rosary -- and leading the family in meal prayer was also a reward -- so, when kids see it as a reward or treat or positive activity, rather than a punishment or obligation, then they just naturally work toward it.  It works for my kids anyway.

[Brigid]

Using prayer as a reward. What a good way to do it!

[RachelKH]

others to use:

Great God, Thou Giver of all good,
Accept our praise and bless our food.
Grace, health, and strength to us afford
Through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord.
Amen.

We thank Thee, Heavenly Provider,
for every earthly good:
for life and health and family,
and for our daily food.
Amen.

(Irish Grace)
May this food restore our strength,
giving new energy to tired limbs,
new thoughts to weary minds.
May this drink restore our souls,
giving new vision to dry spirits,
new warmth to cold hearts.
And once refreshed,
may we give new pleasure to You,
who gives us all.
Amen.

(The Selkirk Grace by Robert Burns)
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some would eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.