In the spring 2007 magazine a plea was issued for table graces, to which Probians responded quickly.
Their replies, and a few more we have gleaned, follow.
If you would like to add to the list, please click the ‘edit’ button at the bottom of the page.
For Food, for Raiment
For Life, for Opportunities
For Friendship and Fellowship
We thank Thee O Lord
Amen
(Wilderness Grace)
Happy the man who meets each month
With friends from near and far,
Happy the man who friendship seals
Beside a friendly bar.
Happy the man who shares his food
Amongst old Probus mates,
Happy the man who to kind ears
Sorrows and joys relates.
Happy are they who praise the Lord
From whim all blessings flow,
Happiest of all are they whose hearts
His love unending know. Amen.
(From Church of England Newsletter 2007 – anon)
Nigel Holmes, Border City Probus Club, Carlisle
For food in a world where many walk with hunger,
For faith in a world where many walk in fear,
For friends in a world where many walk alone,
We give our grateful thanks to Thee , O Lord. Amen.
Courtesy of Pat Thorpe, Probus Club of Uttoxeter
“God of goodness, bless our food, keep us in a pleasant mood.
Bless the chef and all who serve us, and from indigestion, Lord, preserve us. Amen.”
“For well-filled plate and brimming cup, and freedom from the washing up.
We thank you, Lord. Amen.”
For food in a world where many walk in hunger;
For faith in a world where many walk in fear;
For friends in a world where many walk alone;
We give you thanks, O Lord. Amen.
(Source: Huron Hunger Fund, Anglican Church of Canada)
Let us give thanks for food when others are hungry; for drink when others are thirsty; for friends when others are lonely.
Some have hunger, but no meat; Some have meat, but no hunger; I have both. God be praised!
(Attributed to Oliver Cromwell)
In a world where so many are hungry, may we eat this food with humble hearts;
In a world where so many are lonely, may we share this friendship with joyful hearts.
May this food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thoughts to weary minds.
May this drink restore our souls, giving new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts.
And once refreshed, may we give new pleasure to You, who gives us all.
Good wine, good meat, good God let’s eat!
Anonymous Irish Grace:
The Selkirk Grace by Robert Burns:
Contemporary version
Some have meat and cannot eat;
Some cannot eat that want it:
But we have meat and we can eat
Sae let the Lord be thankit!
Traditional version
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some would eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
Can I commend the following book to interested Probus Clubs?
“366 Graces” compiled by John Allport, edited by Emily Hewitt and published by Highland Books of Godalming, Surrey.
It cost me £6.50 from my local Christian Bookshop. It slips readily into a jacket pocket and indexes graces under many headings for all sorts of events, meals or occasions.
Jack Waller, Luton Probus Club
There is an excellent little publication entitled “A Book of Graces” compiled by Carolyn Martin and published by Hodder and Stoughton.
In the meantime try:
For splendid company and Tuesday roast
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen