Being chosen to say grace at a big family dinner is always an honor. Often, however, no one is chosen, though the prayer is expected and anticipated by all. A Thanksgiving meal prayer makes the occasion special and makes your friends and family feel blessed.
When the question is asked, "Who will say grace?", you can volunteer, even though you may not be the most "religious" person in the family (the one who is will be pleased to have you step forward).
The best prayers are those that come from the heart rather than from a prayer book. A prayer could begin with something as simple as, "For all our family and friends, we thank you, Lord." Or "We pray your blessings on our family and friends, and on those who could not be here today. We thank you for our many blessings and for this opportunity to be together. Bless this food and those who prepared it. Amen."
A few tips: Keep it short so the food doesn't get cold. Keep it simple. Avoid any further philosophizing and don't use it as an opportunity to ask God to correct anyone's faults. Be humble.
If it is a buffet-style dinner, offer the prayer while everyone is ready to go through the line. If it is a sit-down dinner, asking everyone to hold hands is a nice touch.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
