My father in-law is a Pastor and prayer before a meal is quite common. It was weird at first but now I am use to it. However I never felt the need to join in. And while I don't agree that my safe arrival had anything to do with Jesus, it is nice to hear a general "thanks for driving up to see me." The family doesn't get together very often so when it does, the Patriarch/Pastor blesses the meal and thanks everyone for making the effort (in the name of our lord....) I have learned to tune out the extra religious sounding words.
You don't have to act like you are going along, just sit in silent respect and wait for them to complete their ritual. I know how awkward it can feel, especially if you didn't grow up with it. But it is a habit for them and they shouldn't have to change their behavior because it might make someone uncomfortable. And not in their own home. The mealtime prayer isn't generally used as a conversion tactic.
And to answer your last question, my weirdest dinner prayer experience wasn't at dinner, it was during breakfast, or possibly the family campout where I'm pretty sure my brother in-law thanked Jesus for marshmallows.
The awkward dinner prayer....
← View full post
My father in-law is a Pastor and prayer before a meal is quite common. It was weird at first but now I am use to it. However I never felt the need to join in. And while I don't agree that my safe arrival had anything to do with Jesus, it is nice to hear a general "thanks for driving up to see me." The family doesn't get together very often so when it does, the Patriarch/Pastor blesses the meal and thanks everyone for making the effort (in the name of our lord....) I have learned to tune out the extra religious sounding words.
You don't have to act like you are going along, just sit in silent respect and wait for them to complete their ritual. I know how awkward it can feel, especially if you didn't grow up with it. But it is a habit for them and they shouldn't have to change their behavior because it might make someone uncomfortable. And not in their own home. The mealtime prayer isn't generally used as a conversion tactic.
And to answer your last question, my weirdest dinner prayer experience wasn't at dinner, it was during breakfast, or possibly the family campout where I'm pretty sure my brother in-law thanked Jesus for marshmallows.