Compiled by Polly Campbell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Required reading

How many families say grace before they eat these days? Many people wouldn't dream of starting without it, but it's a ritual that has fallen by the wayside for many people in their rushed lives.

Praying before meals is part of many religious traditions, and even for the non-religious a moment of gratitude and reflection before digging in is a civilized tradition.

If you'd like a reference to a variety of small sayings for grace, a new book has gathered a lovely collection from many traditions. It's called Saying Grace; Blessings for the Family Table (Chronicle Books; $14.95) by Sarah McElwain. It includes traditional Christian graces, some of the jaunty kind you know from camp, and other poems and chants of gratitude from other traditions.

From the book

Some graces from Saying Grace:

Hail, hail, hail.
May happiness come.
May meat come. May corn come.
Just as the farmers work.
And look forward to the reaping.
So may we sit again as we are sitting now.
- Prayer of the Ga, Ghana

Great God accept our gratitude,
For the great gifts on us bestowed-
For raiment, shelter, and for food.
Great God, our gratitude we bring,
Accept our humble offering,
For all the gifts on us bestowed,
Thy name be evermore adored.
- "Doxology" by Josephine Delphine Henderson Heard (African-American poet)

Praise to God who giveth meat,
Convenient unto all who eat.
Praise for tea and buttered toast,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
- Scottish Grace

Sing to the tune of "Rock around the Clock":
God is great; God is good.
Let us thank Him for our food.
We're gonna thank the Lord in broad daylight,
We're gonna thank Him in the moon at night.
We're gonna thank our Lord for He is good!
Amen
- Girl Scout Campfire Grace