Orthodox Christians say the Lord’s Prayer before meals, along with a short blessing asking Christ to bless the food and drink. That’s the basic answer.
The full traditional prayer goes like this: Make the sign of the cross and say “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Then pray the Our Father. Follow with “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.” Say “Lord, have mercy” three times. Then finish with “O Christ our God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.”
That’s the full version. It takes maybe ninety seconds.
But here’s what actually happens in most Orthodox homes: people shorten it. If you’ve got a toddler melting down or you’re grabbing lunch between shifts at the refinery, you can just say the Our Father and the final blessing. Or even just the blessing itself. The Church isn’t legalistic about this. We’re sanctifying our meals, not performing magic that requires exact words.
Why We Do This
When you pray before eating, you’re doing something the Apostles did. You’re acknowledging that food isn’t just fuel you earned with your paycheck. It’s a gift. Every tomato, every piece of bread, every glass of sweet tea comes from God’s provision. The prayer reminds us we’re dependent creatures, not self-made.
And there’s something else happening. We’re asking Christ to bless the food. Not just to make it safe to eat (though that’s part of it). We’re inviting God into this ordinary moment. Orthodoxy doesn’t divide life into sacred and secular. When you bless your lunch, you’re treating it as a holy act. You’re connecting your kitchen table to the altar.
The Lord’s Prayer fits perfectly here because it includes “Give us this day our daily bread.” We’re literally asking for what’s about to happen. That line isn’t abstract. It means the chicken and rice in front of you.
What This Looks Like Practically
If you’re new to this, start simple. Just pray the Our Father before dinner. Get that habit established. Your family will adjust faster than you think.
One person can lead the prayer while everyone stands. Some families hold hands. Some don’t. In Southeast Texas you’ll find Orthodox families who hold hands because that’s what they grew up doing at Grandma’s Baptist table, and that’s fine. The important part is that you stop, acknowledge God, and pray together before you eat.
Kids can learn this young. A three-year-old can cross themselves and say “Our Father” along with you, even if they’re just making sounds for half of it. My goddaughter used to shout “AMEN” at the end like she was calling hogs. God doesn’t mind.
If you’re eating alone at your desk or grabbing drive-through on the way to work, you can still pray. Make the sign of the cross. Say the blessing quietly. It takes ten seconds. Nobody needs to know what you’re doing, but you’re still sanctifying that moment.
After Meals
We also have a prayer for after eating, though honestly most people forget this one. It starts with “Glory to the Father…” and includes thanksgiving: “We thank Thee, O Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly gifts. Deprive us not of Thy heavenly kingdom.” It’s worth learning. Gratitude after the fact matters as much as asking for blessing beforehand.
Don’t Overthink It
If you’re coming from a background where you said a quick “Bless this food” prayer, the Orthodox version might feel long at first. That’s normal. You’re not doing it wrong if you stumble over the words or forget the “Lord, have mercy” part. You’re learning a new rhythm.
The goal isn’t perfect performance. It’s remembering God exists and that He cares about your ordinary life. Including what you eat for lunch on a Tuesday.
Start tonight. Say the Our Father before dinner. Make the sign of the cross over your food. Ask Christ to bless it. Then eat, and know you’ve just done something Christians have done for two thousand years.
