Pausing for a moment at the beginning of this Blue and Gold banquet let us still our bodies, quiet our minds, and let us be in a spirit of prayer. We give You thanks and praise. - Edward Hays. Dear and beloved stranger, please eat this food with us that we may all be nourished. Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today. We will mount up with wings like eagles. I pray that we will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. I pray that this meeting focuses upon You and Your plans for us as a body of believers. Amen. Lord God and giver of all good gifts, we are grateful as we pause before this meal, for all the blessings of life that you give to us. An invocation is a traditional prayer for the support, counsel, or indulgence of an almighty power upon the works of a body of people such as our Rotary Club. We give you honor and glory, Lord. Prayer to Do Good in Gods Kingdom Oh Lord, this meeting has occurred because we want to do good for Your kingdom. Our dear Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this food. Enlighten us that we may know how You want us to accomplish our tasks. Let our aims in this meeting be aligned with Your direction. This we pray, in Jesus Name, Amen. the achievements and accomplishments . Eternal God, I pray that You bless us in this meeting and keep us. Loving God, bless all those gathered here today as we come together in friendship and fellowship. May all be loved. We come expecting to make a mark on this earth that is significant, but we can only do it with Your guidance. I was initially quite perturbed by the conduct of council members. Invocation Prayer for a Banquet Dear God, We thank you for this wonderful celebration that we share in now. You are welcome in this place. Here in Your presence many friends and families are gathered to celebrate in fellowship. What divides us is not so much our religious differences in this diverse country, but the degree of commitment we have to equal freedom of conscience for all people. We are privileged to come together today on a happy occasion, in which we celebrate the particularly wonderful human beings we call our children, our students, our friends. God, we thank you for this food. We ask that You be their guide and guardian as they move through their careers with their . For rest and home and all things good. People can often sense our closeness with the Lordwhen they hear us JesuitResource.org is a service of Xavier University's Center for Mission and Identity, Xavier University Center for Mission and Identity 3800 Victory Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45207 513-745-3777, Multi Faith Calendar of Religious Holy Days, Foundational Documents on Jesuit Catholic Education, Xavier University's Center for Mission and Identity. Please sleep under these soft blankets that we may all know safety. We thanked God for the gift of getting together with friends and invited Him into our midst. You are everywhere, Lord. Whatever it is that You want to result from this meeting, Lord, let it happen. For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends. 07 of 25. Each of us is a minority, with respect to something. Here are ten special opening prayers you can pray at your gatherings. We give you the glory for everything that is accomplished. Guide us toward the best way to take action to accomplish our goals. And as their friends, we thank you for the gifts of loyalty and kindness they have shared with us, and for the models of service and dedication they have been as we ourselves have struggled to grow to adulthood alongside them. For what we are about to receive It's Me, Margaret" Is Here! - Author Unknown. 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. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Foxys_forest_manufacture. for those that made it possible, Invocation Prayers continued Third Meeting Prayer: Almighty God of Heaven and earth. Let us be mindful of how our Lord, at such a meal as this, washed his friends' feet in an act of holy service. We ask for your inspiration and insights. Help us avoid thinking of what we want to say when we should instead be listening and absorbing what is being communicated. . Come upon us and cause us to have a productive meeting. Below are some non-religious poems and prayers that can help you say, "Thank you," whether it's to the universe, a higher power, or to someone you love. For food that stays our hunger, For rest that brings us ease, For homes where memories linger, We give our thanks for these. Let us not make decisions based upon what we know but let us act based upon Your wisdom. And so, mindful of your continuous care, we pause to be grateful for the blessings of this table. O God, our Father, we thank you for this gathering as we come together to honor the members of Recruit Class 131, their families and their instructors, on the day of their graduation. It's possible to use invocations for all occasions, such as graduations, city council meetings and religious . O God, Most Creative and Sustaining Spirit. As we begin our conference, we dedicate this time to you. Your dinner prayer could range from symbolic and lengthy to short and simple. Here is the invocation I gave, as several council members fled: Thank you for this opportunity to "invoke" a minority point of view. Invocation We fold our hands and bow our heads; And than thee Lord for our daily bread; For home and school and family, WE give thanks O Lord to thee. I refrained from telling George what I really thought--that praying to a god makes about as much sense to me as praying to a chicken. Help us have fun, yet productive discussions that will broaden our perspective. Help us move towards our goals with determination and always with an abundant sense of humor. Thoughts and prayers for fundraising activities David's prayer But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? We declare that this meeting shall be effective and Spirit-led. Retirement Dinner Invocation. Help us to resolve any disputes gracefully, be creative problem-solvers, and have great team spirit. This past weekend I hosted a group of women at our church for a day of fellowship, connection, and refreshment. We ask that you would guide and direct And vow to respond in turn to those in need But we ask that You reveal to us Your thoughts throughout this meeting, let our ways be aligned with Your ways throughout this meeting, in Jesus Name. Let our plans be orchestrated by You. Amen. Blessed are you, Lord our God, for ever and ever. September 12, 2015 / Dreams, Dreams and Prayers. Amen. We pray that all voices will be heard and that we will have a mindset of inclusivity. May this food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thoughts to weary minds. May these objectives keep us on track, and may they bond us together with a common goal. A classic humanist alternative to a Christian Grace is: For what we are about to receive For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you. Give them through our hands this day their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy. Help us to be generous toward others, and to work with them so that they too may eat well. Prayer for Strength Precious God, I pray against the schemes of the devil over this meeting and instead I pray that You rule over this meeting. Amen. Help us to each listen politely as others share their points of view. Through our invocation prayers, we corporately come to God humbly, with reverence and praise, invite Him to purify our hearts and align them with His eternal purposes, and invite His presence. Father, for our food we thank you, and for our joys: help us love you more. Amen. Bless their lives from this day on with goodness and love. Loving Father, may we all celebrate together around your table in heaven. for various reasons. Calm our anxious spirits. Forgive us for letting the distractions of daily life steal our focus. We give thanks for life, the freedom to enjoy it all, and all other blessings. May 1, 2016 / Mitchell Lewis. He said, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). I pray that You bless us as we do not walk in the step of the wicked, but we delight in Your law. All present join hands in a circle around the table, and are silent for half a minute or so as they collect their thoughts, meditate or pray. 3 Ways Satan Is Deceiving Today's Culture, 4 Reasons Christian Singles Are Tired of the Dating Scene, How You Can Have Eternal Life Through the Cross of Jesus Christ, A Powerful Morning Prayer to Start Each Day, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Let us thank him for our bread. Forgive us for any wrongdoing, and give us a clean heart. May this drink restore our souls, giving new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. to lead a group into the throne room of God. Minds in Gods Hands Prayer Heavenly Father, in our hearts we plan our course, but we pray that You establish our steps. Thank you that today we dwell in your kingdom and live in your presence. Let slaves rejoice, for their . what's on this page? Father, we know how important family is, but its hard to find the time to gather in the busyness of life. Thank you for the blessings of our individual and collective God-given gifts. We are grateful for this opportunity to honor and thank those who are leaving our ranks; first, for their dedication to the ideals of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, and secondly, for the personal sacrifices they have made to bring these ideals to many others. We give thanks for this food prepared by loving hands. We desire Your glory and blessing in all we do. This we ask in the name of Christ, Our Heavenly Father. Sometimes the standard wording is religious, and secular participants struggle to find an alternative. Come and reveal Your will in every aspect of our life and ministry. We have come together as a group united in passion and purpose. It is you who are omnipotent. Our teachers and mentors Our family and loved ones We thank You for them and give them all to You in prayer. May these objectives drive each of us to actively participate rather than just passively listen. Related: 50 Religious Christmas Quotes 2. Enable them to draw upon the wisdom and experience of yesterday as they respond to the questions and concerns of tomorrow. Give us balance in times of distraction and uncertainty. Blessed are you for giving us family and friends to be with us in times of joy and sorrow, to help us in days of need, and to rejoice with us in moments for celebration. to those who cultivated the fields Guide us in the things we do and. Father of mercy, all praise be to you through Jesus Christ our savior, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Without their love and support, this day would not be possible. For those who hear us pray and are beginning to seek the Lord, it can create a Let our efforts be kingdom-motivated and Spirit-led so that we can be blessed by this meeting. Our prayers for our children never cease.". I'd like to close in a bipartisan manner by quoting from two presidents I greatly admire-one a Republican and the other a Democrat. Scout Law Prayer: This is a very nice prayer based on the twelve points of the Scout Law. I ask that we might know the blessing of your presence here this afternoon as we honor these young scholars. for the warm hospitality Please pray this prayer that all our names of God may guide us on. Scholarship Award Luncheon Prayer. They are usually one or two minutes in length, are delivered by a designated club member, and are entirely optional.. Whether you are asking God to bless the food, your family or friends, or even giving back blessings to God in your prayer, a prayer that calls on blessings can help you express your gratitude and acknowledge God's hand in your life. God is great, and God is good, let us thank Him for our food; By His blessings we are fed, Give us Lord, our daily bread. It was the first time in many months wed seen each other in person, and I realized what a precious gift God had given usthe gift of gathering and opening prayer. Amen. Amen. That is my religion. Even when such religious commencements make an effort to include people of all faiths they may exclude people with no religion. Help us to work as a whole, rather than as individuals trying to promote their own agendas. Psalm 118:24 says, This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Father, with joyful hearts in the spirit of thanksgiving, we ask you to bless this banquet and each person here. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to gather here today. Amen. All rights reserved. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Place in our hearts the desire to make a difference to our families, to our community, to our country, and to the many cultures and peoples worldwide. I ask for your blessing on this ceremony, our awardees and all who are gathered with us today. May they and we, because of our faith in You, our God, taste in the victory of life over death. Traditional Opening Wedding Reception Prayer Lord God Almighty, Help us not to waste valuable time, as we all have many tasks to complete today. Active Listening Prayer Loving Lord, we thank You that You listen to us; please help us listen to each other. Invocations and pledges are popular ways to open club meetings with an inspirational message. Thank you for your protection over our church, your guiding presence, and the provision to minister to a lost world. We thank you for the opportunity to We ask for your direction and guidance. Councilman Kwadjo Campbell had cordially agreed to let me do it. Your word says that all things work together for the good of those who love You, to those who are called according to Your purpose. Please share this walk with us that we may all know nature's peace. Newest Page::Prayers for Revival for your church, Bible Devotions and Making Life Better Articles, Click here for Links to ALL our marriage pages, Links to All our Full Armor of God Prayers, How to Create a Great Relationship with Yourself, By Beth McLendon, Copyright 2012 - 2023 Inspirational-Prayers.com, This page is for those who are asked to pray a, People can often sense our closeness with the Lord. Thank you for visiting this Christian prayer page. Thank you for our home and family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here. Learn more about Jesuit Resource. We praise you and give you glory through Christ our Lord. For the way You love, we thank You. Whether it's appropriate to have an invocation at your corporate, association or organizational event isn't a path I'll choose to debate. Lord, we thank you for giving them the gift of each other. Fortunately, lemonade is now being squeezed from these lemons. Give us balance in times of distraction and uncertainty. Prayer to Bind Our Hearts and Minds God of peace, we pray for unity in our meeting today. This prayer is one you probably learned in Sunday school when you were little. The invocation, in its simplest form, is a prayer or request for the spiritual presence of God in a ceremony or event. Let us enjoy ourselves, without guilt, May we have a spirit of camaraderie in this room and work together on our shared mission. We wait upon You, Lord, knowing that You shall renew our strength. Help us to be unified in making the best possible decisions and to effectively carry them out. Before my public prayer, I privately pray and ask God to allow my closeness and love for him to show through me. First, the Republican: Finally, let us think of all the people all over the world, members with us in the human family, who will not have a meal today. May this be a safe space for people to express their opinions, and a place where ideas matter more than titles. Help us to be generous toward others, and to work with them so that they too may eat well. Dear God, we seek Your honor in everything we do and say. We lift up this bread; may it be food and symbol for all of us who shall eat it. You, O God, are the source of inspiration, the spark that urges us on to excellence. Here are a few prayers that center on blessings. It might be race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or any other way we may be regarded as different. Then, let us think of the people who made the food and drink and brought it to us, who serve us and wait on us, and who clear up and clean up after us. For the hands held in ours, we thank You. Blessed are you, Lord God, king of the universe: you raised your beloved son from the dead, and made him Lord of all. Then one person gently squeezes the hands of the people seated adjacent; this signal is quickly passed around the table and people then begin to eat and talk. Father, we do not rely on ourselves for effective results for we are only human and often make mistakes. Open our hearts to your love. Love is patient, love is kind. I pray that we seek You for advice. Source of All Blessing, we desire your presence here among us as we honor our fine students and their dedication. by war, oppression and exploitation - John Cennick. Copyright 2023, iBelieve.com. We turn to you in prayer and ask you to bless us and this food you have given us. When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. The Prayer of Blessing. Lord, make us thankful for our food, bless us with faith in Jesus' blood; with bread of life our souls' supply, that we may live with Christ on high. May we accomplish great things this day, and may we display an attitude of cooperation and respect. Thy creatures bless and grant that we may feast in paradise with Thee. An invocation prayer is a request for the spiritual presence and blessing of God in a ceremony or event. Though once helpless and dependent on us, they have become the young adults we celebrate and admire today through a transformation that has never ceased to amaze us. Place in our hearts the desire to make a difference to our families, to our community, to our country, and to the many cultures and peoples worldwide. We ask in Jesus' name. Please bless this food we are about to share, those who prepared it, those who serve it, and those who have worked to make today the special occasion that it is. Forgive us for moments when weve forgotten to put you first. Help us always remember to do everything with a grateful heart and to keep our focus on you. And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency, bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Please counsel us with Your loving eye on us. O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities [and especially __________], that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless our food and our drink. It reminded me of the importance of praying at the beginning of every occasion. We lift up this bread; may it be food and symbol for all of us who shall eat it. Thank you for this special time of gathering in celebration. Let Your presence be made known and lead this meeting today. We must hold firmly to our unity, borne forward now not of tragedy but of loving kindness. As we begin our planning, help us first seek you and your will. this meeting. We gather together to lift up the name of your son Jesus, the name that is above every name. You are good, and we're thankful Your mercies endure forever. Amen. Amen. We ask in Jesus' name. May we see the Lord of Life in our food, our conversation and lives shared in common. Inspirational - Prayers. Help us to clearly understand the objectives and expectations of this meeting and stay focused on those things. Lord, let us not be misguided in this meeting so that we do not lead to decisions that produce ineffective results. We hope you will choose to visit other pages in our site. Amen. Throughout Scripture, special occasions were celebrated by holding a banquet, when your people would congregate to eat, fellowship, and enjoy your many blessings. Blessed are you, Lord our God, maker of heaven and earth and Father of all your people: we give you glory for your goodness and for your loving care for us. I feel very grateful for their public support. and for those with whom we are about to share it, May the seal of God's love rest upon this food and upon this day now drawing to a close. Lead each one of us so that we can make fruitful contributions at this time. - Ralph Waldo Emerson. The prayer is straight forward and provides us with the early understanding that all this is possible because of. Let the captives rejoice, for their Redeemer is born. Please share this walk with us that we may all know nature's peace.