Meal Prayers

Prayers for the Main Meal

Before the meal, we say this:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and forever, and unto ages of ages, amen.

Lord, be merciful and bless this food for us!

Priest:
Christ, our God, bless this food and drink of your servants, for you are holy now and forever, and unto ages of ages.

And we answer:
Amen.

After eating, we say the following:
We give you thanks, Christ, God, for your earthly gifts! Do not deprive us of your heavenly kingdom, but as you came among your disciples, O saviour, giving them your peace, come also among us and save us.

Glory: Both now: Lord, be merciful and bless this food for us!

Priest:
Bless'd be our God for dealing mercifully with us and for nourishing us with his abundant gifts, in his grace and love for mankind: now and forever, and unto ages of ages.

And we respond:
Amen.

Prayers for the Secondary Meal

Before the meal, we all say:
May the poor eat and be filled and may they who seek the Lord exult in him, and may their hearts live forever!

Glory: Both now: Lord, be merciful and bless this food for us!

Priest:
Christ, our God, bless this food and drink of your servants, for you are holy now and forever, and unto ages of ages.

And we respond:
Amen.

After the meal, the superior:
Your womb became a sacred table, O Theotokos, for it held the bread of heaven, Christ, our God, the nourisher of all, who said that anyone who eats of him shall live forever!

And we answer:
You are more honorable than the cherubim, beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim! In virginity, you gave birth to God, the word: O you who are truly Theotokos, we extol you!

Priest:
May God be with us through his grace and love for mankind: now and forever, and unto ages of ages.

And we:
Amen.