Prayer accompanies an Orthodox Christian everywhere - when waking up in the morning, before leaving home, on the road, when starting any business. It is that universal means of communion with God that is available to a person anywhere and at any time. There are indications of the need for prayer before meals in the Holy Scriptures. The Apostle Paul mentions the conditions for proper food intake - “if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:4-5).
Food is a gift from God
To give thanks to the Lord, to draw closer to him, to receive an outpouring of grace into the soul, prayer is said anywhere and everywhere - the reason can be any event or action in a person’s life. In addition, the believer reads the sacred texts of thanksgiving on a whim, when such a need arises. As a result, the soul is in a state of grace.
A prayer is offered before eating food, at the end of the meal, in the morning, at lunch, in the evening, during the day, before going to bed, while performing any task. The inability to turn to the Lord (due to forgetfulness or busyness) leads to a gradual dimming of life. Faith weakens, and at the same time, the protection that was previously provided by the Saints or Jesus Christ decreases. As a result, one day a person moves away from the Lord so much that he feels emptiness in his soul, because he has not supported his love for the Almighty with anything.
For this reason they say
food for the body is also food for the soul, because it allows you to constantly connect with the Divine during prayer.
According to the canons of Orthodoxy, reciting sacred texts over food allows you to sanctify it. When a prayer is read before food, the believer asks to bless it. It has already been proven that the prayer word changes the structure of substances. As a result, a short sacred text can have a beneficial effect on the human body when eating food that has undergone a simple rite of consecration. The same thing happens with drinking.
Moreover, it is important to remember that the prayer text is not a spell. When reading it, food, like water, will not become sanctified on its own. Scripture says that prayer gains power when faith is strengthened and love is strengthened. If the person reading the sacred text truly believes while preparing or eating food, then as a result he will not eat ordinary food. Food will become healing, nutrition will bring benefits and health.
Another meaning of food -
it is a sacrifice out of God’s love for us lay people.
When the meal is blessed by the Heavenly Father, let there be no shortage of food. One day Jesus Christ fed many people with two fish and five loaves. And after that there was still much more left. Before the meal, the Son of God then looked up to heaven and prayed to his Father. Thanks to the blessing of the Almighty, there will be no shortage for anyone who believes.
In addition, reading a prayer over food has a beneficial effect on the soul of the reader. When eating such food, a person is protected from the sin of gluttony. The soul does not rush towards temptation, but avoids it. As a result, there is no temptation to eat more of your belly's capacity. This means that prayer (when read over food) enriches the believer’s soul and brings him closer to the Lord every day.
On the need for prayer
Many saints expressed their opinion about the need for such prayer in their writings. Among the most famous are:
- John of Kronstadt,
- Athanasius the Great,
- Tikhon of Zadonsky,
- Alexey Mechev,
- Seraphim Vyritsky.
So Saint Seraphim said that we often get sick because we have stopped praying before eating, and we prepare food with bad thoughts. Alexey Mechev asked to separate a piece of food every time during a meal and give it to those who really need it. John of Kronstadt did not advise sitting down at the table after a quarrel or in an irritated state. This attitude will contribute to the development of diseases. In Orthodoxy, prayer before and after meals has existed since ancient times, only over time, during the hours of struggle against Orthodoxy, it was forgotten. It’s good that now this tradition is being revived again.
Orthodox prayers before meals
There is one God, but different peoples worship him in their own way. For example, Hare Krishnas have a tradition of giving thanks to the Lord (Krishna). At the same time, you need to know how to offer food to God: for this, a plate is placed (new cutlery that is used specifically for the Almighty), food is placed like the rest, and the Lord should be given food first. This is a kind of sacrifice of a person on his own behalf. This is how love for the Almighty is manifested. In Orthodoxy, it is customary to pray at home before meals and give speeches of thanks.
Believers do this
like Jesus at the table before the breaking of bread.
The prayer to be read before meals is the Our Father. Lord's Prayer
This is the main prayer text that needs to be said throughout the day, and not just before eating. They trust in the Most High Father, glorify him, ask for protection, and through repentance approach the Kingdom of Heaven. This prayer contains the sacred meaning of the Christian religion, therefore it is universal. The prayer text is short. Considering that the “Our Father” is read often, it will quickly become memorable.
Our Father who art in heaven!
Hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors;
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
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Audio format of appeal to God
For the blessing of food and drink for the laity - read in Russian with emphasis
This sacred text should be read every time after saying the above main prayer. At the same time, they turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask for the blessing of food and drink.
Lord, Jesus Christ, our God,
bless our food and drink with the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints, as blessed unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
(And cross food and drink)
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Audio clip with prayer before meals
How to pray before eating
Each temple has a refectory. Anyone who has at least once helped in a church, worked in a monastery, has also been to the place where the clergy and clergy (lay employees) dine. When the time comes, everyone gathers in the hall and faces the images. The senior priest (this could be a bishop or rector) reads a prayer. Before meals, it is also customary to sing “Our Father” and holiday troparia. When the confessor blesses the food, everyone sits down and begins to eat.
- Sometimes the priest can make an announcement, read a short sermon, and congratulate those present on a church holiday.
- Laughter and idle talk should be avoided at the table. We must behave as if Christ Himself was sitting nearby.
- Anyone who has attended a monastery meal knows that even modest Lenten food - without oil or seasonings - satisfies very well and does not weigh on the stomach. All this is a consequence of blessing.
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Another pious Orthodox tradition is to listen to the lives of saints while sitting at the table. In this way, the service continues. If lunch is held at home, then everyone gathers in the kitchen. There must be an image of the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as saints and the Mother of God. The head of the family says a prayer, everyone repeats after him out loud or silently, whichever is more convenient. Of course, it is not necessary to read the lives, it is optional.
After eating, a prayer is also said - thanksgiving. At the temple it can be read (sung) together or privately. A person who needs to leave early stands up to the images and says the text to himself and crosses himself. Then he wishes everyone an Angel at the meal, only then leaves. You can start a similar tradition at home. In some families, appeals to the Lord are pronounced in turns.
“We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast filled us with Thy earthly blessings” - this is how the prayer begins, which is read after getting up from the table. A person expresses gratitude to the Savior for sending food. What follows is a request that the Lord not deprive the Kingdom of Heaven, but appear invisibly among those present and send peace in the soul, saving from hellish torment.
Prayer for the blessing of eating food on special occasions
Most often, the prayer texts given above are said before meals. This is enough to sanctify food on any weekday or weekend.
However, in a number of special cases it is necessary to say special prayers,
which will help strengthen fortitude under certain circumstances.
Prayers at the funeral meal
A person needs the blessing of the Lord regardless of circumstances. For the power of love should not become impoverished either in grief or in sorrow. The funeral dinner is preceded by the reading of the sacred text. It is said out loud (by someone present) or everyone pronounces the words of the prayer to themselves, lowering their eyes and bowing their heads. At a wake where the priest is present, a short service is held - a funeral liturgy. After this, the “Our Father” is said and they proceed to the blessing of the meal.
The prayer at the funeral dinner consists of many short texts and chants (if a priest is present). First, they turn to the Lord with a request to have mercy on sinners through the prayers of the Mother of God and all the Saints. Then they pray for forgiveness of sins, turning to the Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Next, the “Our Father” is read, after which they move on to the funeral troparions.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (Thrice with bows.)
Glory, even now. Amen. Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord, have mercy (Thrice).
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From the spirits of the righteous who have passed away the soul of Thy servant (Thy servant), O Savior, give rest, preserving it in a more blessed life, even with You, O Lover of Mankind.
In Thy chamber, Lord, where all Thy saints rest, give rest also to the soul of Thy servant (Thy handmaid), for Thou art the only Lover of mankind.
Glory: You are God, Who descended into hell and loosed the bonds of the bound. Give rest to yourself and the soul of Your servant (Your servant).
And now: One Pure and Immaculate Virgin, who gave birth to God without a seed, pray that his (her) soul may be saved.
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Prayer for the blessing of Easter foods
This text can be read either together with the above ones (“Our Father”) or separately. First they glorify the Heavenly Father, then they give thanks to him. After which the blessing of the entire meal is asked (the products on the table are listed). The hope is also voiced that believers will eat food with gratitude in order to strengthen their spirit and body. Everyone who venerates it will glorify the Almighty.
Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the great sorrow of the Cross and Your suffering, filled everyone with immeasurable joy through the three-day resurrection!
We thank You, for You have now granted us, who have completed the fast, to achieve these holy days and the joy of Your bright resurrection to be partakers.
We thank You, for through Your mercy and ineffable condescension towards our weaknesses, You comfort us and with a festive meal to strengthen and delight our weak flesh.
Moreover, we pray to You, bless this Easter bread, thickened milk, eggs and other Easter foods, especially these, from them, in obedience to the Charter of the Church, in the past days of Lent Thy servants abstained,
may those who partake of them with thanksgiving be in good health, in strengthening their bodily strength, in gaiety and joy, and in all contentment, may we abound in good deeds and from the fullness of a grateful heart and glorify You, the Risen One, who nourishes and comforts us, together with By You and Your Beginning Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
Amen.
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A different prayer for the meager Easter meal
The sacred text is read through the heart being filled with joy at the Resurrection of the Lord. Those who pray must necessarily thank the Most High Father for the gifts. Then the blessing of the food on the table is sought. At the same time, it is said that “due to their poverty, these breads have been prepared instead of Easter foods” and “let the poverty of the meal not darken the festive joy of those who believe in You.” The Lord is glorified, his Great Feast, while the Light of the Resurrection will dispel grief and sorrow, and all people will glorify the Son of God.
Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the great sorrow of the Cross and Thy suffering, filled with immeasurable joy through the three-day resurrection!
We thank You, for You have granted us and You, who have completed the fast, to achieve these holy days and to be partakers of the joy of Your bright resurrection.
We pray to You: bless and sanctify these breads, which Your servants, in their poverty, prepared instead of Easter food and brought before Your Holy Face.
May they be a source of sweetness and consolation to those who eat them, and may the meagerness of the meal not darken the festive joy of Your people.
May all sorrows and sorrows be dispelled by the light of the resurrection, and may all the rich and the poor, those in abundance, and those in poverty glorify Thee, the Risen One, and in sorrows give us joy, the One Who Gives, together with You and without Your first Father and the Holy Spirit, forever centuries.
Amen.
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Prayer for the blessing of fast foods on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ
They glorify Jesus and his mother the Virgin Mary. Then gratitude is offered for the opportunity of purification during the Nativity Fast, the achievement of the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ, as well as the singing of Jesus along with the angels of heaven. It is important to thank the Son of God for spiritual food and festive meals. After this, you can ask for blessings from the Lord. And may all who partake of the food put before Our God and rejoice from the fullness of the grateful heart that nourishes and comforts all believers.
Lord Jesus Christ our God, who was willing for our salvation to appear on earth in the flesh and be indescribably born of the Blessed and Most Pure Virgin Mary!
We thank Thee, for Thou hast granted us, having purified ourselves through the feat of fasting, to achieve the great holiday of Thy Nativity and in spiritual joy to sing praises to Thee with the angels, to praise Thee with the shepherds, and with the magicians worship you.
We thank You, for through Your great mercy and immeasurable condescension towards our weaknesses, You now comfort us not only with abundant spiritual food, but also with a festive meal.
Moreover, we pray to You, who opens Your generous hand, fills all living things with Your blessings, and gives everyone food in accordance with the times and rules of the church,
Bless the festive foods prepared for Your faithful people, especially this, from which, in obedience to the Charter of Your Church, in the past days of fasting Your servants abstained, that they may to those who eat them with thanksgiving for health, for strengthening their bodily strength, for joy and joy.
May all of us, who have every contentment, be abundant in good deeds, and from the fullness of a grateful heart glorify Thee, who nourishes and comforts us, and also Thy Beginningless Father and Great One. Holy Spirit forever and ever.
Amen.
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Prayer for the blessing of fast food on the Feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This sacred text is recited instead of the main ones. Glory to the Mother of God ascends. They give thanks for the opportunity to reach the feast of the Holy Virgin in order to be consoled with spiritual food and church triumph. Gratitude is also offered for bodily consolation in the form of food blessed by prayer to the Mother of God. It will give physical strength, mental fortitude and heart joy. All who tasted the dishes on the table will forever glorify the Most Pure Virgin, the Holy Trinity
Oh, Our Most Holy Lady, Virgin Theotokos, and after Your departure from the earth did not leave Orthodox people, but always visited us with Your mercies, aggravating our joys, quenching our sorrows!
We thank You, for even now You have given us the joy of achieving the feast of Your honorable Assumption, to be comforted by the triumph of the Church, to enjoy spiritual food - praises, to the glory of T howl sung.
We believe, Lady, that for the sake of Your intercession we have been given bodily consolation—a festive meal.
Pray, O Most Pure One, to Your Son and our God, the Giver of all blessings, that He may bless the holiday foods, especially this one, from them, obeying the Charter of the Holy Church, Orthodox people abstained during the past days of fasting,
may those who partake of them with thanksgiving be in good health, in strengthening their bodily strength, in joy and gladness, and may we all, all our bodily possessions, abound in good deeds,
and from the fullness of a grateful heart, glorify Your Divine Son, Christ our God, who nourishes and not because of our sins, who has mercy on us, together with His Beginning Father and the Holy Spirit, and You, to our Mother of Grace, Representative, Helper and Comforter, together with the holy apostles, offering prayers and thanksgiving call out:
Most Holy Theotokos, help us always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
(If the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary happens on Wednesday or Friday, this prayer is read before the meal the next day).
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Prayer for the blessing of modest foods (on the feast of the supreme apostles Peter and Paul)
We offer thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to achieve the feast of the disciples of Jesus Christ. They praise God for the food on the table and ask for His blessing. Those who abstained from modest (animal) food during Lent will partake of the gifts of God with thanksgiving during the coming holiday. This food will strengthen the spirit, body, health, and give joy and joy. Believers will praise the Lord from the fullness of a grateful heart.
Lord Jesus Christ our God! We thank You, for You have granted us, in the field of fasting of the holy apostles who have passed on, to achieve the feast of the glorious High Leaders Peter and Paul.
We pray to You, who opens Your generous hand, fills all living things with Your blessings, gives everyone food in accordance with the times and rules of the church,
Bless the festive foods prepared for Your faithful people, especially this, from which, obeying the Charter of Your Church, in the past days of Lent Your servants abstained, so that they may giving them with thanksgiving for health, strengthening of bodily strength, joy and joy.
Yes, we all have every contentment, we will abound in good deeds, and from the fullness of a grateful heart we will glorify You, who nourishes and comforts us, and also Your Beginning Father and the Most Holy ago of the Spirit forever and ever.
Amen.
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The meaning of meals in Christianity
Food has always been perceived by believers as a gift from God. This is precisely what the tradition of reading prayers of gratitude after meals testifies to. In the Athos monasteries, for example, there is a special custom. When the brethren finish dinner, the abbot performs a special rite of consecration - it is carried out in order to bless the surplus (if there is a surplus that remains). Food is never thrown away: everything that is not eaten is served by the monks on the table the next day.
Taking care of food and products is especially important now, when there is an economic crisis around us. Old people cannot afford a normal meal, eating only the cheapest things that can be found on store shelves. Today one can observe neglect of food in many wealthy families. They won't even think about sharing with those in need, and that's very sad. But there are charities that feed homeless, hungry children.
- Funeral services for 9 days after death - rules of conduct;
- See here the morning prayer rule;
- Prayer for the 40th day after death: https://bogolub.info/pominalnye-molitvy/.
Children's prayer before meals - read online or download for free
Children should be introduced to the prayer book from an early age. Moreover, they need to develop a desire to turn to God. The most effective in this case is the parents’ own example. If the father and mother visit the temple, constantly turn to the Lord through prayer, show the child the relationship between things from the point of view of Theology, then the son/daughter will behave the same way.
The habit of consciously praying will help in the future to turn to the Heavenly Father before various tasks and activities: during meals, study, etc. If it is not possible to attract the child to this tradition, the wife should talk with her husband, and if necessary, turn to the priest for advice.
Our Father, Lord Most High and Almighty!
You live in heaven.
Let your name be holy for everyone, and you will reign over everything on earth, and only your will will be in everything.
Give us our daily bread today and forgive us our sins, so we will forgive our enemies.
Don't let us sin and don't let us give in to temptation. Amen.
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Text of the prayer after eating in Russian with emphasis – read online, download for free
This is a short text. Read quickly - after finishing the meal. The prayer is written in Church Slavonic, but its meaning boils down to thanking the Lord. The reader asks God to appear among those praying just as he did among his beloved disciples at the beginning of the Christian era.
We thank You, Christ our God, for You have filled us with Your earthly blessings;
Do not deprive us of Your Heavenly Kingdom, but as You came in the midst of Your disciples, Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us.
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Question-answer section
Preparing food for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a party is not enough. Companions should be invited to say a prayer. If someone reads the wrong text, it's scary, but next time you need to be prepared. You can find out what the prayer is called from a clergyman; there is an opportunity on the website.
Why are foodstuffs blessed at Easter?
Expert opinion
Father Innocent
“This is a godly tradition. When believers come to the temple after the night service on Easter Day. After this, the ceremony of consecration of the brought gifts is carried out. Traditionally these are eggs, Easter cottage cheese, meat. Then some of the gifts are left in the temple, so those in need can receive them. This is a sacrifice to God."
How to baptize food correctly and why?
Expert opinion
Father Innocent
“You can baptize food before every meal. To do this, you need to know how to properly make the sign of the cross over food. A person is supposed to cross himself from right to left. If a clergyman raises the sign of the cross over a believer, then he first raises his hand over the person’s right side. It turns out that in relation to himself he crosses from left to right. It’s the same with objects and food.”
How to read a prayer correctly and why?
Expert opinion
Father Innocent
“A believer needs to remember the basic conditions for reading sacred texts: trust in the Lord, gratitude, asking for blessings, accepting the Divine will, agreeing to sacrifice. At the same time, the less the aspiration towards the Almighty, the weaker the love and faith.”
What happens to food during prayer?
Expert opinion
Father Innocent
“Prayer words have a very strong effect on the body, as well as on food and everything that exists. Research into these processes has already been carried out. The results were compared after pronouncing the sacred words. At the same time, the structure of substances changes. And if the cells and blood of the human body respond to prayer, then food even more so. It becomes useful, the desire to succumb to the sin of gluttony disappears.”
How to pray before eating if there are people nearby?
Expert opinion
Father Innocent
“When there are people nearby who are capable of harsh condemnation or mockery, it is better not to provoke them. In this case, it is recommended to make small sacrifices - read a prayer to yourself.”
How to properly turn to God before eating
An icon should be present in the room where family members gather to have a meal. The holy image is hung above the table so that it is in the field of view of those dining/dining. The prayer should be read out loud in a narrow family circle.
Any family member can pronounce it:
- the oldest in age;
- Jr;
- take turns;
- home owner.
In the presence of guests, you need to ask how they will react to the family tradition. If people are adherents of another religious denomination, atheists, then they should pray silently. You need to behave the same way when visiting: find out how the hosts and other invitees will react to prayer requests at the table. If for some reason a believer begins a meal, forgetting to pray, then he should interrupt the meal, perform the ritual, and then continue with breakfast/lunch/dinner.
Breakfast begins with words of repentance before God, since, according to the church charter, it is not allowed and is considered the sin of gluttony. The words of repentance are repeated three times, followed by a thank you address to the Lord or the Mother of God. At the end of the prayer, those present say “Amen” in chorus. Lunch is the main meal for Orthodox Christians, during which full saturation is allowed. The first words of the prayer are repentance before the Lord (three times), then the address “Our Father.”
At dinner, the ritual is repeated in the same order as at breakfast and lunch. A hearty dinner is allowed for the poor and wretched; other believers are entitled to lean food, which strengthens their strength but does not give them satiety.
The church allows you to pray before eating, standing or sitting, with your hands on the table. Those who see the icon should have their eyes fixed on the holy image during prayer. Others present during the ceremony should have them half-covered to help them concentrate on prayer. Before the beginning and at the end of the prayer calls, one must cross oneself and bless the food with the sign of the cross. Before eating, the food on the table is crossed in the following sequence: top to bottom, bottom to left, left to right.
At the end of the meal, one of the family members, as is customary according to family tradition, reads a prayer of thanks, after which everyone is baptized. You should not leave the table immediately. You need to wait two to three minutes in silence. Snacks (drinking tea, coffee, fast food) without prayer will be considered sinful. In such cases, one should turn to God with the prayer of the Optina elders for the forgiveness of sins.
In public institutions (at work, in a cafe, restaurant) they pray silently if they have an icon of the Savior with them, without crossing themselves or blessing food. The Church allows such deviations from the ritual so as not to confuse people of non-believers and other religions. Relationships with God should not be shown off. This is a deeply personal, spiritual communication. Prayers cannot be read mechanically, by rote; they must be imbued with feeling.
