Why pray over food?

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by Yid613

All the blessing start with "Blessed are you L-d our G-d, King of the universe, . . . "

Before eating bread we would wash our hands and say ". . . who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the washing of hands." Before actually eating the bread we say, ". . . who brings forth bread from the earth."

Before other food we say:
Wine or grape products - ". . . who creates the fruit of the vine."
Baked or cooked foods - ". . . who creates various kinds of food."
Tree grown fruits - ". . . who creates the fruit of the tree."
Other fruits and vegetables - ". . . who creates the fruit of the earth."
Other foods - ". . . by whose word all things came to be."
More detail at: GUIDE TO BLESSINGS

A waffle would be a baked or cooked food. For a Pop-Tart you would also say the blessing for baked or cooked foods even know the filling may be fruit because the shell would be considered primary. Only for Plain bread would we say the blessings for bread.

After eating bread we Bench, say the Blessing After a Meal (Grace After Meals - Prayers).
They is also a short blessing for other foods after a meal (Blessings After Certain Foods - Prayers).

By doing all this it becomes more than just a meal it becomes a Holy service. Even the food that we eat, that becomes part of us, is given a degree of Holiness. Yes Pop-Tarts can be a Holy object.

[Edit] - Seems Harmonious beat me to it.

Sometimes it happens. It is good to be on the same page.

[cardero]

Why pray over food?

I believe that everyONE should pray and praise everyone, yet they put too much emphasis on ME. I have hardly done many of the things people praise ME for…like sitting down to a meal. Why are you thanking ME for the meal? I didn't cook it. I didn't butcher the cow or pasteurize the milk. Praise the people actually involved with the meal. Say a short prayer for the cook. Take the time to go out to the grocery store and thank the butcher for that fine cut of meat or write a letter to the milk company telling them how much you appreciate its products. What about the entity that created potatoes? How about tipping your hat in their favor for the idea of the potato. There are many entities to pray for. Think about this next time you say grace before a meal.

HELLO IT'S ME: An Interview With GOD
Chapter: The Purpose Of Prayer
Pg: 380, 381

[Mike182]

I don't tend to give thanks for my food most days, but at the seasonal festivals I do a meal appropriate for that festival and give thanks. Though, even then, it's more of a seasonal blessing than a thanks for the food kinda thing.

[Scuba Pete]

I used to follow this practice until I closely studied this verse:

Matthew 6

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. NIV

Many who practice this do so to show their reliance on God and Jesus. It's sort of a soft evangelism. Heck, that's what love is all about. Jesus never said that they will know you are my disciples because you PRAY before every meal. It's a travesty that this is the only evidence of Christianity for some people.

No, you won't catch me praying over my meal. I won't be vetting you out in public for doing so, but I won't be a willing participant.

[cardero]

Originally Posted by Scuba Pete

I used to follow this practice until I closely studied this verse:

Matthew 6

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. NIV

Many who practice this do so to show their reliance on God and Jesus. It's sort of a soft evangelism. Heck, that's what love is all about. Jesus never said that they will know you are my disciples because you PRAY before every meal. It's a travesty that this is the only evidence of Christianity for some people.

No, you won't catch me praying over my meal. I won't be vetting you out in public for doing so, but I won't be a willing participant.

mrscardero would never go for this. She'd be all like:

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Don't go in the other room, I just put dinner on the table!"

"Dinner's getting cold, are you coming out of there?!"

[Scuba Pete]

No, you won't catch me praying over my meal.

[DallasApple]

Originally Posted by Charity

Hannah seriously I couldn't have said it any better.....Only I would pray for Reese Cups. Seriously God would be happy with that prayer, even if you were only having fun, it doesn't take large eloquent words, just an honest, heart......

God is good God is great ..let us thank him for the food we eat..

Amen!

Love

Dallas

[DallasApple]

As to the OP..Its true..

But not only that why do we pray over only food?(as far as daily blessings?)...

Isnt it sort of biased we dont pray over the air conditioning?..Or the fireplace? Or the telephone?..Or the toilet bowl and toilet paper??What about toothpaste and shampoo and warm water before we take a bath?

Love

Dallas