Thanksgiving prayers
Giving thanks is the oldest Christian prayer: the word “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. For the Thanksgiving table, or any day, here are the psalm of praise and the Church’s own grace before and after meals.
Psalm 100 (99)
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name:
For the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, and his truth to generation and generation.
Source: Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), Psalm 99:2-5
Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace After Meals
We give thee thanks, almighty God, for all thy benefits, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.