Grace and Table Blessings

The following are four different graces or table blessings that were posted in the middle of a placard on our table at the S&S Cafeteria in Macon, GA.  These include Protestants, Catholics, Jewish and Greek Orthodox table blessings.  Try using a different one for different meals to add a variety of ways to think about how blessed we are to have food before us to eat.

Protestant Table Blessing

Bless O Lord, this food to our used and us to thy service and make us ever mindful of the needs of others.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Catholic Table Blessing

Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty.  Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Jewish Table Blessing

Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth.

Greek Orthodox Table Blessing

Christ, our Lord, bless this food for which we thy servants are humbly grateful.  For Thou art loving and holy, now and forevermore.  Amen.

The Story Behind These Table Blessings

According to J. A. Smith III, President & CEO of Smith & Sons Foods Incorporated, here’s how the blessings came to be placed on the tables at S&S Cafeterias.

“In June 1942, my father was given the idea by a very saintly lady in Macon who led the Sunday School every Sunday morning for the employees at that time in our Cherry Street Cafeteria. Daddy liked the idea and had Mrs. Snow suggest prayers that we actually still use on the tables today. That was 70 years ago and we have not changed one word in any of the prayers since.”