Comments on: Should we pray for food in a public setting?

By: Theodore Russell Moore

Theodore Russell Moore — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 08:20:00 +0000

In reply to Lee. I agree that we can pray as we are driving down the highway, with eyes open. We can be full of earnest prayer as we deal with a delicate situation. In church it is easy, as I can do all that I might like to do. At a restaurant I like to silently close my eyes and commune in thought, but if I am offending someone, I do not Need to have my eyes closed, it is merely a custom which I enjoy. More than 99 % of the importance of prayer is the prayer . . . the other 1% I am willing to forgo if it would cause me to become a stumbling block to someone else. My experience is that most will be silent and back me up in my silent prayer. Most of the people I am lucky enough to associate with will allow me my brief moments.

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 00:01:00 +0000

I believe there is a scripture that basically says if we pray in private God will reward us openly. Too often I wonder if praying in public (not church) is just a way to draw attention to ourselves. Also, it is not always necessary to bow our heads to pray. We can pray driving down the highway or in a store.

By: Anthony Stortz

Anthony Stortz — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 19:25:00 +0000

In our family we pray openly in public. My wife and I have taught our children to lead by example. As such, public prayer should never be an embarrassment. We are excising and demonstrating our faith. We have never had anyone disrespect us during prayer. Well, there was that one server that started pouring drinks while we prayed. But typically, our servers stand and wait for us to finish and the tables around us respectful quiet down of become silent.

By: Johnnie Lewis

Johnnie Lewis — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 06:10:00 +0000

Just for thought, Matthew 6:5 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocritesare: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues andin the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”

By: Shasta Jones

Shasta Jones — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 03:57:00 +0000

I was told that you do not bless food in public because you will open yourself up to ridicule. You can take a moment to look at the food when it is served and perhaps say a short prayer in your heart..

By: Liz Perrott

Liz Perrott — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 06:32:00 +0000

What’s wrong in just saying softly ‘ Thank you God or Jesus or saying a fuller blessing in your head. That is what I , as a former Catholic always did and continue to do. I wouldn’t eat without some sort of blessing. If someone notices, then good. There are more ways of bringing the belief in God to the awareness of others than we realise. In the catholic church, the last thing the priest usually says at the end is ‘ Go and Glorify the Lord by your lives’ now who can find fault in that?

By: G-Pa

G-Pa — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 17:52:00 +0000

A restaurant in the Southern US has a policy if a person blesses their food, prior to eating, they will give them a 15% discount. I think that is a great thing for the restaurant to do.

By: Sharee

Sharee — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 01:44:00 +0000

I bless all the food I will eat for the day in my morning prayers. That solves the problem of calling attention to myself in public. I learned that from one of the presenters at BYU Education Week once many years ago. Apparently the tip originally came from Pres. Howard W. Hunter.

By: Wax

Wax — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 17:05:00 +0000

When Athletes take the knee in the in-zone, or strike some one out, get a hit or whatever, are they doing it to show boat or are they sincere. If its sincere, then I suppose it’s a good thing. However when I see these people express their love for God after a great play, then the next day they are busted for some crime, it only makes you wonder. Now i need to be careful not to judge a man’s heart.