TABLE GRACES AT MEALTIME: 
THANKSGIVINGS 
© 2000, 2003 by Orchid Land Publications 

[last updated 20030501]

BLESSING BEFORE THE MIDDAY MEAL

All face the icon on the East wall or in  the East corner.

 If a clergyman is present, he leads the prayers.  In the absence of a clergyman, the Lord's Prayer is said by the host; the rest  respond with the ekphonesis.

Our Father, + Who are in Heaven:  May Your name be reverenced; may Your Kingdom come; may Your will be fulfilled on earth the way it is in Heaven.  Give us our heavenly bread this day; and forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who have sinned against us.  And do not put us to the test, but free us from the evil one.
     For the Kingdom, power, and Glory are Yours--Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit--both now and ever and throughout the ages.  Ameen.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

If a priest is present, he says the Blessing:     

     Christ our God:  Bless + the food and drink of Your servants; for You are holy, both now and ever and throughout the ages.   

Ameen.

If no priest is present, the following is said:

     Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus  + Christ our God, have mercy on us.  Ameen.

THANKSGIVING AFTER THE MIDDAY MEAL

All face the icon in the East corner.

     We thank you, Christ our God, for having filled us with Your earthly goods.  Do not deprive us of Your heavenly Kingdom; but as You came in the midst of Your Disciples, Savior, and gave them peace, come also among us and save us.

The first part of the following is said by a clergyman or, in the  absence of a clergyman, by the host; the rest respond with the second part:    

    Glory to the Father and to the + Son and to the Holy Spirit;
    Both now and ever and throughout the ages.   Ameen.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

If a priest is present, he says:

     Blessed  + is God Who shows mercy and nourishes us from His abundant gifts with His Grace; for He cherishes the human race, both now and ever and throughout the ages.  Ameen.

If no priest is present:

     Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus+ Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.  Ameen.

BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL 

All face the icon on the East wall or in  the East corner.

     The poor will eat and be filled, and those who seek the Lord will praise Him; their hearts will live forever.
     
The first part of the following is said by the clergyman or, in his absence, by the host; the rest respond with the second part:    

    Glory to the Father and to the + Son and to the Holy Spirit;
    Both now and ever and throughout the ages.   Ameen.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

If a priest is present, he says:

     Christ our God:  Bless + the food and drink of Your servants; for You are holy, both now and ever and throughout the ages.   

Ameen.

If no priest is present:

     Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus+ Christ our God, have mercy on us.  Ameen.

AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

All face the icon in the East corner.

     You have gladdened us, Lord, by Your deeds; and the works of Your hands have given us joy.  The light of Your countenance, Lord, has shined on us; You have given gladness to our hearts.  From your bounty we have been filled; in peace we will lie down and take our sleep; for You alone, Lord, have caused us to dwell in hope.

The first part of the following is said by the clergyman or, in his absence, by the host; the rest respond with the second part:    

    Glory to the Father and to the + Son and to the Holy Spirit;
    Both now and ever and throughout the ages.   Ameen.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

If a priest is present, he says:

     God is with us; He shows mercy and nourishes us from His abundant gifts with His Grace and love for humanity; for He cherishes the human race, both now and ever and throughout the ages.

If no priest is present:

     Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus+ Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.  Ameen.

ANOTHER PRAYER BEFORE MEALS

All face the icon on the East wall or in  the East corner.

The eyes of all are raised in hope to You, Lord, and You give their nourishment in due course; You open Your hand and fill every living thing with Your fulness.  [Or at the evening repast:]  The hungry will eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord will praise Him; their hearts will live forever.  

     Holy Lord, Most High God, King of Kings, and Master of the Universe:  Be our honored Guest, and bless + this food.  Receive our thanks for what we are about to partake of; and my the Spirit of love prevail among us.  In our gratitude for Your bounty and such comforts as we enjoy, let us be ever mindful of those who lack the basic necessity and amenities of life, who are beset with poverty, famine, terror, war, catastrophe, or any privation, who are lonely, who are ill, whose lives are deprived of beauty and the incandescence of Your holy Light:  Let us not forget or neglect to help them; for what we do to them is as though done to You.    

Ameen.

AFTER MEALS 

After breakfast:

     Glory to You, + Lord, Glory to You!  Glory to You, holy King, for You have given us food for our enjoyment; fill us also with Your Holy Spirit, that we may be deemed by You acceptable and without reproach.  Ameen.

After the midday meal:

     We thank You, Christ, + our God, that You have satisfied us with Your earthly Blessings.  Grant that we may not be unworthy of Your heavenly Kingdom; but, as You were present in the midst of Your Disciples, Savior, and gave them peace, come also to us and save us.  Ameen.

After the evening repast:  

Blessed + be God, Who is always merciful to us and nourishes us with the plenitude of His gifts, especially Grace and compassion, both now and ever and throughout the ages.   Ameen.