It's not as if I'm trying to condemn you by doing it, so, why does it bother you so much...?

You could just stare at something as if you are thinking and begin to pray

I'm going to pray before I eat my meals. I pray silently if I'm alone, but someone prays quietly if there is a group of us about to eat. It has nothing to do with pride or wanting attention for my friends and I. It's about thanking God for our food. There's nothing wrong with this, and we do have religious freedom in this country still. If it offends someone, maybe it's their conscience. Regardless, we'll pray. Nobody is standing up and nobody is getting loud. The only comments I've gotten recently was positive. The last one was a waitress saying that it was refreshing to see someone pray before eating. I really can't remember the last negative comment I've gotten.

I get what you mean about praying in public before a meal, I just bow my head and silently thank God.

If I am at home though and the person is not Christian I do say "I'm going to give thanks", they can respond with Amen or not, if they don't like it, too bad.

When I go out with my wife we softly and briefly say grace. A little softer than normal conversation and you'd have to be listening pretty closely to hear much of it. I doubt people notice or care.

section9+1 said:

When I go out with my wife we softly and briefly say grace. A little softer than normal conversation and you'd have to be listening pretty closely to hear much of it. I doubt people notice or care.

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Same here. If my husband is with me, we quietly bless the food. If I'm alone, I'll pray silently.
For what it's worth, I used to be a waitress back when I was agnostic/atheist. I didn't even take notice of people praying before their meal, though I'm sure some did. I served big church groups every Sunday. If anything, I would've just been curious about it having only ever seen such a thing in old movies and tv shows, but I wouldn't have thought they were condemning or judging me.
If you feel like you actually are condemning them (in your heart), maybe you could try giving thanks that all the people there present have been given such bountiful meals, and/or include a prayer to bless the hands that prepared it.

don't eat out much (just b'days & when away)
do pray when out as we always do before meals

like booth for privacy when out
doubt anyone notices us

Neogaia777 said:

It's not as if I'm trying to condemn you by doing it, so, why does it bother you so much...?

I'm talking about even something like praying over meals in public or in front of others, which is something I struggle with at times, sometimes, and I thought about it, and I knew I was "caring what they were thinking" basically, but are we really not supposed to care at all what they think at all...?

Anyway, I thought about what I might say, and I knew or know that a lot of people with any kind of public display of worship or religion or religious practices, praying in and before, and in front of, the public, ect, that others were feeling condemned by it sometimes, and I swear that I am not trying to do that, or meaning it or that, at all, but, still, some of them still feel that way...

Can anyone tell me why, or why this is, and maybe a solution for it maybe...?

I mean there are some few who do mean it to condemn, and I wonder what Jesus thinks about that, probably tell them they "did not know what Spirit they were of" or something...

But, I just want to be able to like, pray over my meals without making other people feel judged, or guilty, or condemned, or whatever...

And, on a more selfish, self-serving side note, I really don't want them to hate me for it either if at all possible...

God Bless!

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It is hard to believe people would feel condemnation while a Christian thanks the Lord for a meal.
If you keep it simple there is no condemnation in that. I would agree there is a bit of discomfort as most of my family is not Christian however, they are respectful and understand that mom has all their best interest in mind and most of all loves the Lord!
Blessings

Neogaia777 said:

It's not as if I'm trying to condemn you by doing it, so, why does it bother you so much...?

I'm talking about even something like praying over meals in public or in front of others, which is something I struggle with at times, sometimes, and I thought about it, and I knew I was "caring what they were thinking" basically, but are we really not supposed to care at all what they think at all...?

Anyway, I thought about what I might say, and I knew or know that a lot of people with any kind of public display of worship or religion or religious practices, praying in and before, and in front of, the public, ect, that others were feeling condemned by it sometimes, and I swear that I am not trying to do that, or meaning it or that, at all, but, still, some of them still feel that way...

Can anyone tell me why, or why this is, and maybe a solution for it maybe...?

I mean there are some few who do mean it to condemn, and I wonder what Jesus thinks about that, probably tell them they "did not know what Spirit they were of" or something...

But, I just want to be able to like, pray over my meals without making other people feel judged, or guilty, or condemned, or whatever...

And, on a more selfish, self-serving side note, I really don't want them to hate me for it either if at all possible...

God Bless!

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So long as the intent of your praying for the food is thanksgiving unto the Lord then whatsoever those of the world think should not be your concern. You are doing what the Lord commanded to be done. You wouldn't stop feeding those who are hungry or you wouldn't stop donating/giving to the poor because it makes others feel judged guilty or condemned because they do not do the same. So why would you stop praying for your food and giving thanks to the Lord in Christ's name because of what worldly people think? I pray in public for my food as well as read the bible at lunch, I take no thought to what others may think of it and those of the world take no thought to my prayers.

If they hate you for well doing, rejoice brother.

Neogaia777 said:

It's not as if I'm trying to condemn you by doing it, so, why does it bother you so much...?

I'm talking about even something like praying over meals in public or in front of others, which is something I struggle with at times, sometimes, and I thought about it, and I knew I was "caring what they were thinking" basically, but are we really not supposed to care at all what they think at all...?

Anyway, I thought about what I might say, and I knew or know that a lot of people with any kind of public display of worship or religion or religious practices, praying in and before, and in front of, the public, ect, that others were feeling condemned by it sometimes, and I swear that I am not trying to do that, or meaning it or that, at all, but, still, some of them still feel that way...

Can anyone tell me why, or why this is, and maybe a solution for it maybe...?

I mean there are some few who do mean it to condemn, and I wonder what Jesus thinks about that, probably tell them they "did not know what Spirit they were of" or something...

But, I just want to be able to like, pray over my meals without making other people feel judged, or guilty, or condemned, or whatever...

And, on a more selfish, self-serving side note, I really don't want them to hate me for it either if at all possible...

God Bless!

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if your focus is to condemn then you've missed the point, if your focus is to give glory to God then this is good; do the latter not the former. We do however need to consider how our actions are interpreted in order to know how well they give glory to God. If the spirit of our action is overwhelming interpreted as being pretentious by those around us (who happen to be our mission) then maybe it's time to change. If all people see is someone who is stuck up then can it still be said this gives glory to God?

Prayer has quite varied values among Christians and people seem to be oddly strict on what prayer needs to look like such as the posture and the words. For example, holding hands, bowing heads, closing eyes with an audible prayer. These things are not required to give thanks to God nor are they instructed of us biblically so we need to question the message they send to others when using them. The form of prayer isolated is not wrong but if it does not communicate the glory of God to others than we alienate others to the gospel and this is something we should try and prevent if possible.

Our focus should be to bring people closer to Christ rather than push them away and we should be free to be somewhat fluid in our approach of prayer with a focus not just to give glory to God with our hearts, which of course is meaningful, but also to show the glory of God to others in our presence.

Giving thanks doesn't need to be so wooden or cookie cutter, why not go around the table have each person say why they are thankful to God like a dialogue rather than a solemn reverent moment? Or perhaps just one person lead everyone in a message of thanksgiving. Prayer can still exist in many creative forms, especially a prayer of thanksgiving, we don't need to be so elaborate with it, nor does it need to start with "Our heavily Father..." or end with "amen", we also don't need to assume such a militant posture in order for prayer to happen.

With the feeding of the 5000, Jesus looks to heaven and simply give thanks, with the Passover he simply took the bread and gave thanks. It's not specified what his words are but scripture doesn't spend much time in this and mentions it very casually and goes on to the next detail. We don't need to bless our conversation or our safe travels to the restaurant, we don't need to pray for those not present or add "thees" and "thous", all we need to do is give thanks and carry on. no need to hide it but there also is no need to illuminate it beyond what it is.

Neogaia777 said:

It's not as if I'm trying to condemn you by doing it, so, why does it bother you so much...?

I'm talking about even something like praying over meals in public or in front of others, which is something I struggle with at times, sometimes, and I thought about it, and I knew I was "caring what they were thinking" basically, but are we really not supposed to care at all what they think at all...?

Anyway, I thought about what I might say, and I knew or know that a lot of people with any kind of public display of worship or religion or religious practices, praying in and before, and in front of, the public, ect, that others were feeling condemned by it sometimes, and I swear that I am not trying to do that, or meaning it or that, at all, but, still, some of them still feel that way...

Can anyone tell me why, or why this is, and maybe a solution for it maybe...?

I mean there are some few who do mean it to condemn, and I wonder what Jesus thinks about that, probably tell them they "did not know what Spirit they were of" or something...

But, I just want to be able to like, pray over my meals without making other people feel judged, or guilty, or condemned, or whatever...

And, on a more selfish, self-serving side note, I really don't want them to hate me for it either if at all possible...

God Bless!

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In public before meals I just give thanks in my heart and mind for the life God has provided. I don't do public displays because I see it as boasting of my goodness. Cheers

Danielwright2311 said:

I say, to be fair, do not pray but in public as Jesus instructed.

Do not deny Jesus, but not praying in public is not the same.

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Somebody should tell this to all those sportsball players

parousia70 said:

Somebody should tell this to all those sportsball players

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LOL, I think that's because he doesn't want to get jinxed in front of all those people.

My wife and I pray before all meals, always, wherever we are. I do not care one little bit what other people think. We do not pray for them ... we pray to give thanks to God. It is God who is our #1 Priority.

Let me share this. One time we prayed at a small restaurant in Brazil. And the manager brought the food to us. She said ... "I was so encouraged to see you offer thanks before you ate. In the old days, everyone did this. Now, no-one does this. Thank you very much!"

So you see ... your faithfulness does inspire others.

Neogaia777 said:

It's not as if I'm trying to condemn you by doing it, so, why does it bother you so much...?

I'm talking about even something like praying over meals in public or in front of others, which is something I struggle with at times, sometimes, and I thought about it, and I knew I was "caring what they were thinking" basically, but are we really not supposed to care at all what they think at all...?

Anyway, I thought about what I might say, and I knew or know that a lot of people with any kind of public display of worship or religion or religious practices, praying in and before, and in front of, the public, ect, that others were feeling condemned by it sometimes, and I swear that I am not trying to do that, or meaning it or that, at all, but, still, some of them still feel that way...

Can anyone tell me why, or why this is, and maybe a solution for it maybe...?

I mean there are some few who do mean it to condemn, and I wonder what Jesus thinks about that, probably tell them they "did not know what Spirit they were of" or something...

But, I just want to be able to like, pray over my meals without making other people feel judged, or guilty, or condemned, or whatever...

And, on a more selfish, self-serving side note, I really don't want them to hate me for it either if at all possible...

God Bless!

Click to expand...

Going to a restaurant, I am always aware that I arrived safely, that God has provided the money to pay for the meal, and provided the actual food that I'm about to eat. It would be impolite to say nothing. When the food arrives I just say"Thank You Lord" in a normal conversational level. I understand the reasons for bowing your head and folding your hands together: it's a sign of respect and God Bless you for that.