Sunday Nov. 22, 2015 Week 4
The Scripture
Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God. Romans 14:6
The Spiritual Focus ~ “You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”
~ attributed to G. K. Chesterton
The Devotion
Saying grace is a spiritual practice that is defined as giving thanks to God who has given humanity dominion over all the earth for food and providence. Many faith traditions have this practice. In the Lutheran tradition there is a grace before the meal and one after. Before the meal the grace is, “come Lord Jesus be our guest, may these gifts to us be blessed.” After the meal the grace is, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: For His mercy endureth forever” which is from Psalm 136:1.
This coming week, across the land people will bow their heads and give thanks, either spoken or quietly in their hearts. We will give thanks for food, for family and for God’s providence.
We invite God’s Presence to be with us, to be our guest in all circumstances. Inviting God’s presence happens at the table and on our mats. Inviting God to be our guest is a practice that we are empowered with before any event or experience in life that acknowledges God as creator and provider of all that is good.
Breath Prayer
Inhale ~ BE my
Exhale ~ Guest
