How a Father Should Teach His Household to say Grace and Return Thanks at Meals

The Blessing

The children and servants should come to the table modestly and with folded hands and say: All eyes look to you, O Lord, and You give everyone food at the right time. You open Your generous hands and satisfy the hunger of all living things with what they desire. (Psalm 145:15-16) Note: "What they desire" means that all animals get so much to eat, that they are happy and cheerful. Because, worry and greed interferes with such desires. After this, pray the Lord's Prayer and the following prayer: Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these gifts, which we receive from Your generous hand, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Thanking God

After eating, too, they should modestly fold their hands and say:

Thank the Lord, because He is kind and His goodness lasts forever! He gives all creatures food. He gives livestock their food and feeds the young ravens that call out to Him. A horse's strength does not give Him pleasure. A man's legs do not give Him joy. People who fear the Lord and who wait for His goodness please Him.

After this, pray the Lord's Prayer and the following prayer:
We thank You, Lord God, Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for all
Your blessings. You live and rule forever! Amen!

Appendix III The Home Chart A number of passages to use to teach and admonish people in all holy orders and statuses in life about their duties.

For Bishops, Pastors and Preachers: 1 Tim. 3:2-4 Titus 1: 6

What Hearers owe their Pastors: 1 Cor. 9:14 Gal. 6: 6 1 Tim. 5:17-18 Heb. 13:17

For Earthly Authorities
Rom. 13:1-4

For those Under Authority Matt. 22:21 Rom. 13:5-7 1 Tim. 2:1-3 Titus 3:1 1 Peter 2:13-14

For Husbands 1 Peter 3:7 Col. 3:19

For Wives Eph. 5:22 1 Peter 3:5-6

For Parents
Eph. 6:4

For Children
Eph. 6:1-3

For Servants, Maids, Hired Hands and Workers
Eph. 6: 5-7
Col. 3:22

For the Man and Woman of the House
Eph. 6:9
Col. 4:1

For Young People in General 1 Pet. 5:5-6

For Widows 1 Tim. 5:5-6

For Everyone in General Rom. 13:8-10 1 Tim. 2:1-2

If everyone will learn his part,
The whole household will fare well.

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This text was translated in 1994, revised in 2002 and revised and expanded in 2004 for Project Wittenberg by Robert E. Smith. It has been placed in the public domain by him. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at:

Concordia Theological Seminary
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