Should We “Say Grace” before Meals?

It is customary for many Christians to “say grace” before meals. However, is this a biblical practice?

The expression “say grace” simply means to give thanks. The Bible does not say that Christians must “say grace” before meals. Nonetheless, thanksgiving is certainly an important Christian trait (Eph. 5:20; Phil. 4:6; Col. 3:15, 17; 1 Thess. 5:18).

Jesus himself “said grace” before meals. Indeed, in the gospel accounts, it is recorded that Jesus “gave thanks” before meals (Matt. 15:36; Luke 22:19; John 6:11). In parallel accounts of these events, it is written instead that Jesus “blessed” before the meal (Matt. 14:19; 26:26). Of course, Jesus was not blessing the meal, since the meal did not need any blessing. Rather, he was blessing God. This means that Jesus’ thanksgiving prayer to God included a recognition that God is blessed.