A friend of mine, Padre Ray Hubble, had a nice line in pre-prandial graces, many of which which resurfaced during his 5 years a Hon Chaplain to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

Saying Grace.
 

Been asked to say Grace at for an Army reunion dating back 35 years.

Notwithstanding the fact that only three of us are known left, do any of you have original ideas that don't involve too much sadness, religion or excessive humour.

Google has not been my friend so far.

As a 16 year old I spent a week as a guest of the RAN where Grace was said before each meal. As I recall it was somewhat basic:

For what we are about to receive, thank God.

Not only was the Grace basic but so was the food. I didn't feel like thanking anyone for some of the mess that was served masquerading as food.

I should have added that there was considerable emphasis on the "thank God" to the extent that it was almost shouted. Perhaps the fellow knew something about the kitchen staff that the rest of us didn't. :E

Father in Law's favourite is

We thank the Lord for what we've had,if there'd been more, we would have been glad.

As this appears to be a serious question, I'll answer in the same manner.

"As we enjoy this meal and good company, let us also remember those of our friends, families and colleagues who are no longer with us, and the many people both near and far who are less fortunate than ourselves."

Good food, good meat.
Good God, let's eat.

My favourite is the Selkirk Grace, pity it's normally only kept for Burns night and Scottish events:-

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.

Grace said in a classical sounding language has the advantage that it will offend no one, while giving the impression that the speaker is an educated person. For example:

Anusol nivea gees linctus
Brovat persilomo domestos
Previa lexus laguna mondeo avensis.

For a midday meal:

God bless this bunch while they munch their lunch.

or more generally:

We beseech Thee, Lord Divine - who changed the water into wine,
Look down with grace on us poor men - who turn the darn stuff back again! :ok:

grace
 

As a kid in a not very religious family we used this:

Rub, dub dud (while rubbing stomachs)
thanks for the grub

Capetonian;

Just the sort of thing I was thinking about, thanks mate.

I'll have to work on an accent for the rest.:suspect:

A non-religious version of the above:-

For what we are about to receive, may we all be truly thankful.


Otherwise:- Dinner Blessings

or as used to be said at school dinners

For what we are about to receive, may the good Lord provide the antidote

My Dad came up with a classic at my cousin's wedding years back....

"Oh Lord, make us not stodgy like porridge, but SNAP, CRACKLE and POP like rice crispies!"

Sounds more like a pre gang-bang prayer!


Suggestions -

Lord we thank thee for this sumptuous feast of thy
bounty, and the nice pizza bloke who delivered it.

Dear God, except the horrible liver and those brussels
fcuking sprouts, we give thanks for what we're about
to pig out on.

Food for thought...
 

Google has not been my friend so far.....

Frank-ly, my dear, I do give a damn - try:

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...ss-graces.html :ok:

Jack

Hostess' dinner party line.

"My brother will say grace."


There was a suitable pause.


"Grace."


Without a further word, hostess and her brother began eating.

Dear God :rolleyes: