Resources for Unitarian Universalist Parents

Graces

Sharing meals together is so important—it really strengthens family bonds.  By saying grace at meals, you can help create a caring and spiritual environment around mealtimes, by increasing gratitude, sparking awareness of others, and increasing spiritual awareness.  Enjoy the following collection…maybe you will find a grace here that fits your family perfectly! 

This food is the fruit of the labor of many beings and creatures.
We are grateful for it.
May it give us strength, health, joy
And may it increase our love.
   ~ Unitarian Prayer

We’re thankful now for happy hearts
For rain and sunny weather
We’re thankful now for this our food
And that we are together.

We give thanks for our food
And remember those who are hungry
We give thanks for our health
and remember those who are ill.
We give thanks for our family and friends
And remember those who are alone
Blessings on our meal.

Earth, water, air, and fire combined to make this food,
Numberless beings have died and labored that we may eat
May we be nourished that we may nourish life.
   ~ Ojai School

Bread of earth
And Bread of Heaven
Unto us are given.
For these gifts we raise our hearts
In thankfulness and joy.
   ~ John Hunter

Earth who gives to us this food,
Sun that makes it ripe and good;
Dear Earth, Dear Sun, by you we live;
Our love and thanks to you we give.

Blessings on the blossom
Blessings on the fruit
Blessings on the leaf and stem
Blessings on the root
Blessings on the meal
     And peace on earth.

For the hand that feeds us,
The heart that loves us
And the spirit that brings us together
        We give thanks.