Grace/Meal Blessing

[PearlSeeker]

At dinner last night, my daughter’s boyfriends mother asked her to lead a pre-dinner prayer. Upon being put on the spot, she froze, so the mother asked me to lead (fairly certain she’s not aware I’m not a Christian). Since they’re Christian, I knew the expectation was, of course, a Christian prayer. I could have easily gone with the indoctrinated “bless us o Lord for these thy gifts which we are about to receive through thy bounty through Christ our Lord, amen” but I didn’t want to offer something that lacked sincerity. So I deferred to “the man of the house” (my daughter’s boyfriend), who froze as my daughter did. So ultimately, the mother led the prayer.

I saw nothing productive in sharing that I wasn’t Christian over dinner, but I may explain why I declined leading the prayer to the mother in private later today.

Placed in the same situation, how would you have handled being asked to lead such a prayer?

You did well. I don't understand why she asked you to pray. I would only do that if I know someone well enough to know that this person was a Christian too.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Hmmm... You know, what's the point in being thankful to god in providing the food in the first place? The reason I have the food is from the work I did so I could buy it.

Who causes the sun to shine? Who brings the rain to water the seed? Who created the earth rich in nutrients? Who brings life to the seed? Sure we work, but a lot of it is way beyond our control.

 

[SigurdReginson]

Who causes the sun to shine? Who brings the rain to water the seed? Who created the earth rich in nutrients? Who brings life to the seed? Sure we work, but a lot of it is way beyond our control.

Well, nuclear fusion mostly causes the sun to shine. Evaporation, earth rotation, the formation of clouds, and other elements cause the rain to fall. There are many nutrient rich planets in the universe. Life begets life.

As for things that are out of our control, like you say, there are many. I don't need to concern myself too much with them, since they are out of my control. I'm more concerned with things that are within my control, so I can utilize my time in the best way I can.

"God helps those who help themselves" isn't in the bible, but it should be, imo! I think that if gods exists, they'd be more concerned with the way their creation acts rather than the lip service they give them.

 

[pearl]

I would never put anyone on the spot asking them to say Grace.
As I see it, the one offering the 'prayer' does so offering the intentions of all. While we all feel a sense of gratitude, including the atheist, I found the best way in such a mix is taking a moment together and offering a silent 'prayer' of thanksgiving. But one can tell who are the Catholics in the mix, as we end with the sign of the cross.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Well, nuclear fusion mostly causes the sun to shine. Evaporation, earth rotation, the formation of clouds, and other elements cause the rain to fall. There are many nutrient rich planets in the universe. Life begets life.

You are just begging the question. What in turn causes those things.

 

[SigurdReginson]

You are just begging the question. What in turn causes those things.

Many different and unrelated mechanisms that we can see and observe in nature. I'm not a scientist, so I couldn't tell you specifically what those mechanisms are off of the top of my head.

Now, I think what you might want me to refer to is an invisible puppet master behind the scenes pulling the strings. I can't see any strings, or anyone pulling those strings. Maybe you could show me where to look so I could see for myself?

Until that time, everything seems to work in a natural, self perpetuating way. There doesn't seem to need to be any puppet masters, nor are they self evident.