Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people

So, simple question for us today. How many of us say grace before each meal? At home? At work? At a restaurant? We’ve tried to be diligent with our kids doing this. My Mom and Dad were diligent with us. One quick story about the power of saying a prayer before your meals.

We were still living in Decatur and both of Sarah’s parents and my parents were up visiting. We had bought them gift certificates to a local restaurant as a Christmas present and they were there that weekend to “cash” them in…oh, and see their grandkids too. We may have had only six kids at that time, but never the less, it was a large party on a Saturday night at Cheddar’s and the wait was going to be long. On top of that, it was prom night, which only added to the long wait. After walking around outside with the kids to keep them from going stir crazy, our table was finally ready after about a 30-45 minute wait. My kids assumed once we sat down and ordered, the food would immediately be placed in front of them to eat. Not so that night. Once everyone had a chance to look at each of the 500 offerings on the menu, we placed our order and started the wait — and the questions. When will our food be here? How much longer will it take? What, are they having trouble catching the chicken? After about 20 minutes of this I finally had to tell Mom and Dad to stop with the questions because you’re going to make the kids uptight!!!! So, trying to keeps the troupes happy, my wife suggested we say our prayers and surely once we’ve prayed the food will come. My oldest son Jerome was going to have nothing to do with that and refused to participate in our blessing. Sure as a priest hearing confessions on a Saturday evening, the food showed up within seconds after saying our prayers. My son Jerome had a look of “See, I didn’t say prayers and my food got here just as quickly as yours!” The waiter held up each plate and proudly asked “Who had the hamburger; Who had the Chicken Fried Steak; Who had the frog logs and chicken gizzards?” until all had their food. Except they forgot one order of chicken tenders. Defeated, Jerome immediately said his prayers and his food was brought to him. God still works his little miracles. My son Jerome (and all of the kids watching at our table) became a believer that night in the power of prayer and we’ve never had a problem with saying grace before meals since.

Do something great for our Lord today – believe in the power of prayer. A simple thanks for all you receive; a simple…Bless us o Lord and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord…Amen.

I firmly resolve to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.

Lord, if You wish, You can make me clean.

But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Compete well for the faith.