MEAL PRAYERS FOR THE JUBILEE
SEASONAL PRAYERS
ADVENT 1
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Yesterday and today.
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Forever.
Leader: Let us pray.
Blessed are you, Lord God, Creator of the light.
In your goodness you give us food and drink.
By this jubilee,
give food to the hungry
forgiveness to sinners
and freedom to the oppressed.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
ADVENT 2
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Yesterday and today.
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Forever.
Leader: Let us pray.
2nd person: Emmanuel, darkness surrounds us, but you are light.
3rd: Emmanuel, night overtakes us, but you are day.
4th: Emmanuel, God-with-us,
you set captives free.
You comfort those who weep.
You bring hope to the hungry.
All: Be with us throughout this meal
and on the day of the Lord
let us taste the goodness of God. Amen.
CHRISTMAS
Leader: The Word became flesh
All: And dwelled among us.
Leader: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, born for us
All: We celebrate your jubilee.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, bread for us
All: We celebrate your jubilee.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, our life, our peace
All: We celebrate your jubilee.
Leader: Bless this family, gathered in love.
Bless this food, prepared with hope.
Bless this day, a day of faith.
All: We celebrate your jubilee.
Bless us O Lord,
and these your gifts
which we are about to receive
from your goodness
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
LENT 1
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: Let us pray.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
For you are merciful.
Free us from our sins.
By this meal strengthen us
to do your will when we are weak.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
LENT 2
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: Let us pray.
2nd person: In memory of Jesus, who fasted forty days,
3rd: In memory of the woman at the well, who asked for living water,
4th: In memory of the prodigal son, who feasted on forgiveness,
All: In memory of Jesus, who feeds us with his body and blood,
we give you praise, O God,
we confess our sins to you.
We acclaim you our Redeemer. Amen.
EASTER 1
Leader: Christ is alpha and omega
All: The beginning and the end.
Leader: Let us pray.
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
Jesus is risen from the dead
and appeared by the sea with fish and bread.
May he be present at this meal
And prepare us to feast with you at the eternal banquet.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
EASTER 2
Leader: Christ is alpha and omega
All: The beginning and the end.
Leader: Let us pray.
2nd person: You fed the hungry multitude
All: In the breaking of the bread.
3rd: You gave us your very self
All: In the breaking of the bread.
4th: You appeared on easter night
All: In the breaking of the bread.
You who come unto our altar,
in our hands and in our mouths,
Come now to this table
and fill our hearts with jubilee. Amen.
ORDINARY TIME 1
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: Let us pray.
May your Spirit come upon us, O God.
By this meal may we bring good news to the lowly,
heal the broken hearted,
set the oppressed free,
and proclaim this a year of your favor.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
ORDINARY TIME 2
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: Let us pray.
2nd person: The eyes of all look in hope to you, O God,
All: Give your people food at harvest time.
3rd: The eyes of all look in hope to us, O God,
All: Help us grant forgiveness.
Help us cancel debts.
Help us bring exiles home.
Help us proclaim liberty. Amen.
ORDINARY TIME 3
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: Let us pray.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
You have given everyone the riches of the earth.
All: In this meal make us good stewards.
As we have received from you
May we give with generous hearts. Amen.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
THANKSGIVING
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Yesterday and today.
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Forever.
Leader: Let us pray.
For the goodness of creation
All: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the blessings of our nation
All: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the meal that we will share
All: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the people gathered here
All: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: In this year of jubilee
grant freedom to the oppressed,
health to the sick,
peace to the troubled,
and food to the hungry,.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
BIRTHDAY 1
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Yesterday and today.
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Forever.
Leader: Let us pray.
O God, the giver of all life,
we celebrate the jubilee of the birth of your Son.
Bless this food
and bless N., whose birthday is today.
Grant (him/her) happiness, life, and freedom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
BIRTHDAY 2
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Yesterday and today.
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Forever.
Leader: Let us pray.
2nd person: Bless this birthday meal,
All: God who gives us life.
3rd: Bless the birthday cake and candles,
All: God who gives us life.
4th: Bless the presents and surprises,
All: God who gives us life.
Leader: Bless N., whose birthday is today,
All: God who gives us life.
Bless us O Lord,
and these your gifts
which we are about to receive
from your goodness
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST COMMUNION
Leader: Christ is alpha and omega
All: The beginning and the end.
Leader: Let us pray.
2nd person: You appeared to your disciples
All: In the breaking of the bread.
3rd: You have made us one in you
All: In the breaking of the bread.
4th: You have called us into service
All: In the breaking of the bread.
Leader: Lord Jesus,
Today you welcome N. to communion
for the very first time.
Let this meal be a sign of the communion we share
with you, the Father, and the Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
All: Amen.
WEDDING
Leader: Christ is alpha and omega
All: The beginning and the end.
Leader: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ,
guest at the wedding at Cana,
giver of the best of wine,
bless N. and N., who pledge their love today.
May this banquet give us all
the joy of jubilee,
the happiness of your blessing,
and a taste of eternal life.
You are our God, now and forever.
All: Amen.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Leader: Christ is alpha and omega
All: The beginning and the end.
Leader: Let us pray.
Spouse 1: I thank you, God, for giving me N. as my spouse.
Spouse 2: I thank you, God, for giving me N. as my spouse.
Both: In this year of jubilee you bring joy to your people.
May our celebration today proclaim your love to all the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
GRADUATION
Leader: Christ is alpha and omega
All: The beginning and the end.
Leader: Let us pray.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
Source of wisdom and giver of life.
We thank you for N.,
to whom you have given the light of knowledge.
We thank you for this food,
a sign of jubilee.
May all your people rejoice and live
in the promise of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
BEFORE REPORT CARDS
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: Let us pray.
All: O God, the judge of good and bad,
tomorrow is report card day.
You help us when we make good grades.
You help us when our grades are bad.
Bless the meal we share,
And let us know how much you care. Amen.
PRAYERS SAID BY:
THE SHOPPER: O God, creator of plants and animals
When I see all the groceries in the store
I stand in awe at your great power.
When I select the food for this table
I accept the custody of what you made.
When I go through the checkout line
I see how much we all depend on you.
May the food I brought home
Refresh us till we reach your home. Amen.
THE COOK: Lord Jesus, for whom Martha prepared a meal,
while Mary listened to your words,
I have been busy in the kitchen.
If I didn't hear what you said to me today,
it's because I love the people I'm cooking for.
May we all open our hearts to receive your word.
Amen.
THE SETTER OF THE TABLE: Jesus, good shepherd,
who prepares a banquet for your sheep,
I set this table today.
Every meal is only a table-setting
of the feast you prepare for us in heaven.
Make us hungry for you. Amen.
THE EATER OF THE MEAL: Jesus, you ate with tax collectors and sinners.
But you let me eat with my family and friends.
Bless all those who prepared this meal
And make me grateful for all your gifts. Amen.
THE DOER OF THE DISHES: Jesus, you told us to clean
not just the insides of cups,
but the insides of ourselves.
When I clean up this meal,
help me do it without complaining. Amen.
OVER FOOD THE LEADER DOESN'T LIKE
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: O God, I thank you for everything you give me,
But I think you should know
I can't stand (name the food you don't like: peas, broccoli, etc.)
I know some people like this stuff.
I know it's supposed to be good for me.
But I just can't eat it today.
Bless our food. Bless us all.
Help me to try to do the hard things that are good for me.
All: Amen.
OVER THE LEADER'S FAVORITE FOOD
Leader: Christ is alpha and omega
All: The beginning and the end.
Leader: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.
In your goodness you've given me (name your favorite food) today.
My cup is overflowing.
Only goodness and kindess follow me all the days of my life.
May we all dwell in your house forever.
Amen: Amen.
WHEN THE LEADER SHOULDN'T EAT DESSERT
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: Lord Jesus, you cursed the fig tree that did not bear good fruit.
Sometimes I want to eat food that's not good for me.
Help me to enjoy the good food you provide
And to stay away from whatever will harm me.
Grant us all your blessing.
All: Amen.
FASTING
Leader: This is the year of jubilee.
All: May it set all people free.
Leader: Lord Jesus, you fasted forty days in the desert.
During this fast, help us eat with moderation,
devotion, and love.
May we find in you the satisfaction of all our hungers.
Make us mindful of the needs of others.
All: Amen.
LEFTOVERS
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Yesterday and today.
Leader: Jesus Christ is the same
All: Forever.
Leader: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, you are the Word who was with God from the beginning.
You are eternally new.
Make us grateful for this food we haven't finished yet.
May it remind us of your eternal presence
and make us good stewards of your creation.
All: Amen.
CARRYOUT
Leader: The Word became flesh
All: And dwelled among us.
Leader: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, you fed the multitude with food someone else brought.
Bless our carryout meal.
Bless those who prepared it and those who sold it.
In this year of jubilee,
provide for those who have no food at home.
All: Amen.
GUESTS 1
Leader: The Word became flesh
All: And dwelled among us.
Leader: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, you were a guest in the home of Zaccheus,
who climbed a tree to see you.
We have anxiously awaited the arrival of our guests.
Bless (name your guests) who have come to eat with us today.
Let us discover you here as we break bread.
All: Amen.
GUESTS 2
Leader: The Word became flesh
All: And dwelled among us.
Leader: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, you were a guest in the home of Levi,
who answered your call to follow.
We greet you present here in (name your guests).
In this year of jubilee
help us be thankful that you forgive and redeem us.
May this meal bring your peace to all we meet.
All: Amen.