Why do we "say grace"?

I have members of my extended family whom I appreciate for their often pausing for us to “say grace” before a meal, whether it is in the home or out in public, such as at a restaurant. But what is "saying grace”?

I in the first place, “saying grace” seems to be an odd expression on first look for what we are really doing. We are referring of course to the custom that many Christians have of offering a prayer before a meal. Perhaps the “grace” part refers to the fact that this is a gracious thing to do. We are giving thanks to God, who is the ultimate creator, provider, and sustainer of all. By so doing, we are remembering, and reminding ourselves and others, of this fact.

But grace is a word for a favour we grant others. It is something like mercy. What has that got to do with a prayer before a meal?

As to why we do it, some point back in history. I believe the Jews had prayers of Thanksgiving long before there were so – called Christians. However, when we read what some of Jesus Christ's followers wrote about him in their writings that eventually became part of the Bible, we read that they observed that Jesus asked a blessing over food. There is no mention of "saying grace".

Asking a blessing is entirely understandable and appropriate. We can bless those who have prepared the food, even those who have grown the food and brought it to where we obtained it. We typically also say something along the lines of asking that the food provide the blessing of good health. Ultimately, we are blessing again our God who provides everything.

There are many people who would call themselves Christian who are not in the habit of asking a blessing before meals though. Others bow their heads and offer silent prayer, so who knows what they are saying?

I think the fact that Jesus himself, God in the flesh come to earth, saw fit to offer a prayer of thanks and blessing for food is example enough for us to follow. This brings in another element to this subject of "saying grace". By so doing, we are offering a witness. We are testifying, showing, generally. that we are believers, Christian, and that we consider it appropriate to “return thanks”, another expression one often hears, for food before we eat it.

We hear a lot these days about having an “attitude of gratitude” and being thankful for things. We have come to understand that this is good for our mental and emotional health. Taking time every day to think of something to be thankful for, better yet, offering God thanks for it, is a good practice. So let's "say grace” before our meals. In the scheme of things, it is not an undue expectation.