Food, Glorious Food!

When your family sits down for a meal together what kind of prayer of thanks do you share?  My family says the traditional, familiar prayer of “Come, Lord, Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed.”   At Bible Camp a common prayer sung out by campers to the tune of “Superman” is “Thank you, for giving us food!” These simple prayers remind my family that Jesus is with us and that God is providing for our physical needs with the food before us.

Food- it is necessary for our physical existence, for nutrition, and for energy to live. We’ve have easy access to nutritional and caloric information these days.  There are diet “apps” downloadable to your smart phone for tracking your caloric intake on an hour by hour and day by day basis.

As a disciple of Christ I view food as a gift from God- a gift by which my Lord provides for my physical needs. There is a psalm that I’ve read and preach over the years.  “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.” –Psalm 145:15

If you and your family prayer together at the table prior to meals, I would encourage you to try out a new prayer- print it out on a card or share it aloud until everyone learns it.  By trying out a new prayer, your awareness of and appreciation for food may deepen and grow richer.

Food- it is glorious. And, it is a gift from God!’’

Joy in the Journey,

Pastor Durk K. Peterson, Alleluia! Lutheran Church. St. Michael.