Thursday of Easter 4

The Lutheran Table Prayer

Psalm 147:1–11 (ESV) Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Many of us grew up with "The Common Table Prayer", which is certainly a lovely prayer: "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed" (alternatively, "let Thy gifts to us be blest" or "let these Thy gifts to us be blessed"). And at least at congregational meals, we will tack on Psalm 136:1, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever" (which is technically "returning thanks," intended to be done after the meal, as we do after Holy Communion).

But did you know that "The Common Table Prayer" was first published (in German) in a Moravian hymnal in 1753, more than 200 years after the Lutheran Reformation began? While it is a fine prayer, and one that I use with my own family, it is not the traditional "Lutheran Table Prayer."

I have produced a couple "Catechism Lockdown" videos, and more are to come. For inquiring minds, here is the "Lutheran Table Prayer", straight out of the Small Catechism, which incorporates part of our Psalm from Easter 4 (Psalm 147:9-11):

How the head of the family should teach his household to ask a blessing and return thanks.

Asking a Blessing

The children and the members of the household shall go the table reverently, fold their hands, and say:

The eyes of all look to You, O Lord, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:15-16).

Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer and the following:

Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Returning Thanks

Also, after eating, they shall, in like manner, reverently and with folded hands say:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. He gives food to every creature. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love (Psalm 136:1, 25; 147:9-11).

Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer and the following:

We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

With hungry children at the table, I have been just as minimalist as anyone, usually only doing the Common Table Prayer beforehand with no thanksgiving after the meal. But as the Catechism teaches us, we are always blessed by exercising ourselves in God's Word and prayer. So let us strive to make more frequent use of "The Lutheran Table Prayer"!

Prayer:

Feed Thy children, God most holy;

Comfort sinners poor and lowly.

O Thou Bread of Life from heaven,

Bless the food Thou here hast given!

As these gifts the body nourish,

May our souls in graces flourish

Till with saints in heav’nly splendor

At Thy feast due thanks we render. Amen. (LSB 774)