Why not both? I’m talking about our mealtime prayers. Our cultural traditions lead us to thank God before we eat. After all, Jesus blessed God before He broke the bread during the last supper.
Many of our Jewish friends, however, bless God at the end of the meal. Taking from the text:
“And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.” Deuteronomy 8:10
Their thanksgiving, or blessing, is out of obedience to the text.
Are we remembering to give God credit? Give Him his due? It’s a worthy discipline to thank God, acknowledging that all comes from Him. It blesses God and also gives us a needed reminder.
Among many things, we can thank Him for the nourishing food, the land that grew it, our health to partake of it, the people we are enjoying it with and the ability to share it.
One observation – we bless God for the food. There isn’t a Biblical example of blessing the food. The food is a gift given by God and it is God that we bless for it.
We are instructed to pray without ceasing. Maybe it will help in that endeavor to recognize God both before and after we taste His goodness.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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