Biblical Teaching · Christian Family · Gratitude · Home and Family · Christian Life

Why should we pray over our food?

4 min read, approximately

“And there came a man from Baal-shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus saith Jehovah, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of Jehovah.” (2 Kings 4:42-44)

Eating, eating, and more eating!

Come on, who doesn’t like to eat? Colombian, Mexican, Peruvian, Cuban food (Cuban-style potatoes 😅), and so on. Eating is certainly one of the wonderful things God has allowed us to enjoy!

But why should we pray over our food?
Habit? Tradition? Going along with everyone else?

3 points to consider

How about looking today at just 3 reasons to do so, in the light of God’s Word?

We pray over our food to bless it

Have we ever eaten something that made us feel ill? Well, it has probably happened to us at some point… A good beginning and a bad ending 😔. But take heart: God’s Word tells us that praying over food helps cleanse it and make it fit to eat in case there is something wrong with it.

“forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:3-5)

We pray over our food for multiplication and satisfaction

Let us pay attention and learn from what Jesus did in the following biblical passage:

“And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida. But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured. And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each. And they did so, and made them all sit down. And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.” (Luke 9:10-17)

That benefits us, doesn’t it? What do you think?

We pray over our food out of gratitude

Yes, I know we have heard it many times, but it really is true that not everyone has access to breakfast, lunch, and dinner…We overlook the countless things that can happen (and do happen) before food reaches our tables. God expects us not to take these things for granted, to give thanks not only for food but for everything and at all times!

“forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:3-5)

Conclusion

Dear reader, every food takes time to produce. Vegetables, for example, need to be planted, watered, maintained, cared for, allowed to mature, processed, and transported to the place where we finally find them ready to eat. How about thanking God for our farmers as well as praying over our food?

May God continue to bless you
and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to stop by the Songbook