Prayers at mealtime

Don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.

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	Prayers at mealtime

PRAYERS BEFORE BREAKFAST OR THE NOON MEAL

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on us. Amen. [bow]

Our Father, who art in the heavens, hallowed be they 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 as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. [bow]

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

Lord, bless. [bow]

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen. [bow]

PRAYER AFTER BREAKFAST OR THE NOON MEAL

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us Amen. [bow]

It is truly meet to bless thee, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and most blameless and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify. [bow]

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. [bow]

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

Lord, bless. [bow]

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.[bow]

Another prayer after the meal:
We thank Thee, O Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thine earthly gifts; deprive us not of Thy heavenly Kingdom, but as Thou camest among Thy disciples, O Saviour, and gavest them peace, come to us and save us.

[And twelve bows, saying the Jesus Prayer. Then, having thanked those who prepared the meal, say:

God be merciful to me, a sinner. [bow]
Thou hast created me; Lord, have mercy on me. [bow]
I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, have mercy and forgive me a sinner. [bow]

PRAYERS BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen. [bow]

The poor shall eat and be filled, and they that seek the Lord shall praise him; their hearts shall live for ever and ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. [bow]

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

Lord, bless. [bow]

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen. [bow]

PRAYERS AFTER THE EVENING MEAL

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen. [bow]

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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

Lord, bless. [without bows]

Thy womb is become an holy table, bearing Christ the heavenly bread. All that eat from it shall not die, as hath said the Nourisher of all, O Mother of God.

More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify. [bow]

Thou hast gladdened me, O Lord, by Thy deeds, and in the works of Thy hands will I rejoice. The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, hath been signed upon us. Thou hast given gladness to my heart. From the fruit of their wheat, wine and oil are they multiplied. In peace in the same place shall I lay me down and sleep. For Thou alone, O Lord, hast made me to dwell in hope.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. [bow]

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

Lord bless. [bow]

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen. [bow]

And twelve bows, saying the Jesus Prayer. Then, having thanked those who prepared the meal, say:

God be merciful to me, a sinner. [bow]
Thou hast created me; Lord, have mercy on me. [bow]
I have sinned immeasurably; Lord, have mercy and forgive me a sinner. [bow]

A reprint from www.orthodox.net

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