Is Giving Thanks for Our Food a Form of Witness?
I’m sure we’re all familiar with scenes in movies where a family comes together for a meal. As people take their places around the table, they survey the food before them, and then someone says, “Let’s give thanks.” With that, they take the hand of the person next to them, and all bow their heads for a few words of prayer.
Scenes like these are designed to give us a warm feeling and make us long for a period when everything was simpler and more wholesome. But do people still give thanks for their food today? Furthermore, should Christians give thanks for their food in public? If so, is this a form of gospel witness?
In 2021, British comedian Rebecca Ryder posted on social media asking if Americans really pray before meals. She then declared that no one in the UK does. This created a flurry of responses, with several stating that saying ‘grace’ before meals is a Christian tradition and practiced worldwide.
As I considered Rebecca’s question, my mind wandered back to my childhood, and I soon realised there never has been a time when, as a family, we didn’t pray before meals. Now, as I look at my own little family, this tradition continues. Every time we sit to eat, we offer thanks to God.
But what about Rebecca’s statement – do people give thanks for their food in the UK? As I thought about what she said, I realised I don’t recall seeing anyone in the UK (apart from my family) ever bow their heads at a restaurant or in public to give thanks for their food. When I visited the US, especially in the South, it wasn’t uncommon to see families pray before eating. It was lovely to see people pause, give thanks to God, and then devour. But I haven’t seen that occur in Britain.
While it may be nice to see people pray for their food, we need to ask if there is a biblical basis to pray before our meals and if Christians should give thanks in public.
It isn’t difficult to answer the first part of my question, as when we read the Bible, we soon see examples of prayers being offered for meals. For instance, Jesus gives thanks before eating in Matthew 14:19-21 and Matthew 15:34-36. Also, in Luke 24:30 and John 6:11, we see the Lord giving thanks. The Apostle Paul continued this example in Acts 27:33-36. Then, in 1 Timothy 4:4-5, Paul states all food should be received with prayer and thanksgiving. We can safely say we have divine and apostolic examples to follow when praying for our food.
But what about the second part of my question – should Christians pray for their food while in public?
Whenever public prayer is mentioned, someone will take Matthew 6:5 out of context and use it against any form of prayer in places where you may be seen. To interpret this verse in such a manner would contradict the examples we see from Jesus and the Apostles. Further, it ignores the context that the Lord addresses. Christ was speaking about the practice of hypocritical religious leaders who would sound a trumpet to draw attention to themselves. Once people were watching, then they would make a show of prayer. This verse could only be applied to prevent giving thanks for our food if the person praying stood on the table in a restaurant and called on everyone to look at him before he prayed.
I’m not suggesting you sound a trumpet and say, “Look at me!” the next time you eat at McDonald’s (or Chick-fil-A if you are blessed to have one near you). But I am suggesting that the next time you sit down for a meal, be it in private or public, you should bow your head and give thanks to the Lord for His provision.
While you aren’t seeking the attention of others, people will see and notice. By praying for your meal, you are testifying to the world around you that God exists and He is the One who provides. As a culture, we have become so wrapped up in ourselves that we’ve forgotten that apart from God, we are nothing. Bowing your head and giving thanks reminds you of your need of God, and it testifies to those who see you that they need Him too. Giving thanks for your food in public is a form of witness, as you are declaring, “God is the source of life. He supplies. He is good and loving.”
As a nation, we’ve forgotten God, so as Christians, by our words and deeds, we need to remind people of the God who is there. Everyone knows God exists (Romans 1:20-25), but people have become so absorbed with the idol of self, that they’ve willingly forgotten Him. Giving thanks before a meal is just one way to remind people of God.
As home educators, I love to look at old schoolbooks; not so long ago, I came across a childhood reader from the early 20th century. This book was designed to be used throughout the British Empire to teach reading and morality. In this little reader, there was a story entitled, “A Child’s Thank You.” As I read the story, it reminded me of how far we’ve moved away from God and forgotten Him.
The story goes:
“Thank you, Mother, for the bread I eat,” says the child. “We must thank the man who brings it,” the mother replies.
“Thank you, Carter, for bringing the bread,” says the child. “We must thank the man who bakes it,” the Carter replies.
“Thank you, Baker, for baking the bread,” says the child. “We must thank the man who makes the flour,” the Baker replies.
“Thank you, Miller, for grinding the flour,” says the child. “We must thank the man who grows the wheat,” the Miller replies.
“Thank you, Farmer, for growing the wheat,” says the child. “We must thank the One who sends the rain to grow the wheat, and gives the sun to ripen it,” the Farmer replies.
“Thank you, God, for sending rain and giving sun to ripen the wheat, that makes the bread I eat. Thank you for the world so sweet, thank you for the food we eat, thank you for the birds that sing, thank you, God, for every-thing.”
When a nation forgets God, the mere act of being thankful becomes a strange practice. But if we regularly pray for our food, both in public and private, then we are witnessing to the truth that God is there and He provides. By simply bowing your head and saying, ‘thank you’, we are making much of Jesus.
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