Grace (meals): Difference between revisions

A '''grace''' is a short [[prayer]] or thankful phrase said before or after eating.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/80373#eid2623050 | title=grace, n. | work=[[Oxford English Dictionary]] | date=2013 | access-date=29 September 2014 | quotation=11. [....] A short prayer or blessing offered in thanks before or after eating.}}</ref> The term most commonly refers to [[Christianity|Christian]] traditions. Some traditions hold that grace and thanksgiving imparts a blessing which sanctifies the meal. In [[English language|English]], reciting such a prayer is sometimes referred to as "saying grace". The term comes from the [[Ecclesiastical Latin]] phrase ''gratiarum actio'', "act of thanks." [[Christian theology|Theologically]], the act of saying grace is derived from the [[Bible]], in which [[Jesus]] and [[Saint Paul]] pray before meals (cf. {{Bibleverse|Luke|24:30|KJV}}, {{Bibleverse|Acts|27:35|KJV}}).<ref name="Noble2016">{{cite web|url=http://www.interpretermagazine.org/departments/to-be-united-methodist-why-do-we-call-it-grace|title=To Be United Methodist: Why do we call it ‘grace?'|last=Noble|first=Kathy|year=2016|publisher=Interpreter Magazine|language=en|access-date=30 September 2018}}</ref> The practice reflects the belief that humans should thank God who is the origin of everything.<ref name="Noble2016"/>

 

[[File:Thanksgiving grace 1942.jpg|thumb|Saying grace at 1942 [[Thanksgiving (United States)|American Thanksgiving dinner]]]]