“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” (G. K. Chesterton)
“Saying grace” refers to the brief prayers of thanksgiving we offer before meals. Jesus himself “blessed” the food (Greek, eulogeō) at the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14.19; Mark 6.41; Luke 9.16). John’s account said he “gave thanks” (John 6.11; Greek, eucharisteō). Christians are simply following Jesus’ example of gratitude for daily bread (Matthew 6.11).
In Scripture, however, prayer is a constant thing, not just a mealtime thing. The apostle Paul said, “Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5.17-18). Daniel prayed three times each day (Daniel 6.10). David brought his concerns before God “evening and morning and at noon” (Psalm 55.17). The anonymous writer of Psalm 119 said, “seven times a day I praise you” (v. 164).
All of which brings us back to Chesterton’s comment. Every aspect of our lives comes under the authority, scrutiny and interest of God. He sees and cares about everything we do. That being the case, it makes sense to be willing and diligent to bring everything before him in prayer and petition, thanksgiving and praise. In this regard, the totality of our lives becomes an ongoing daily conversation with our heavenly Father.
For today say grace. Say it often. Say it about everything. For today, give over every part of your life to God in prayer and petition, in thanksgiving and praise.