Prayer before meals: request and thanks

Gluttony is the beginning of all vices and the first step of sin leading down. But this does not mean that we must starve ourselves and bring to exhaustion. The ascetic feats are not for laymen, who risk falling through excessive abstinence into a much worse sin - pride. Monks are prescribed strict restrictions, because they are constantly under the supervision of their confessors, and pride can be detected in the early stages. The rest is enough to be moderate and reasonable. Prayer before eating is something with which you need to start attending Orthodox asceticism.

Iron for strengthening

The importance of addressing to God before reinforcing the forces knew for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary that the prayer before eating be read. There is an appeal to God after eating. Believers pray during the meal. I met an interesting Orthodox story about a man who saw more than others. He watched several monks, who hungered for hunger. Those who thought about the worldly during the meal did not benefit. And the monk, who at the time of the meal prayed, grew bodily and spiritually stronger, as if the food produced iron for his body and spirit.

Two options to choose from

What prayer should I read before eating? There are two options. Or the standard "Our Father", which every Christian knows. Or a shorter prayer, written specifically for meals. It says that in the desire to be satisfied, a person relies on God, as he cares for him. Expressed confidence that food is sent to a person exactly when it needs it, at the right time. The Lord is glorified because his hand is generous. It says in it and the belief that the Lord can satisfy all our bodily needs.

Do not curse yourself!

Why do they read the "Our Father" before eating? She was not created originally as a prayer before eating? First, this appeal to the Lord from beginning to end is set out in the Scripture itself. Secondly, in it a man asks God to give bread for every day. And this is the main reason that it is prescribed to read before eating as an alternative to prayer before eating. But it involves much more than just praise God and thanks for the daily bread. Together with the request for food, we are asked to resolve our sins. But we must remember that sins called debt in prayer can be forgiven if you yourself forgive the guilty before you. If you refuse to forgive, then "Our Father" becomes a real curse for you. You condemn yourself for your sins, because you condemn others.

Prayer before meals Orthodox should be supplemented by prayer after eating food, which is forgotten more often. Often a person can not finish a meal in any way, walks and takes food in addition. This is already a form of gluttony. To mentally set the point after eating, read the prayer. Of course, it is not a magical spell and will not make you refrain from eating. But morally it will be easier for you to restrain yourself.