THE FOOD PRAYER

 

THE FOOD PRAYER

 

Paul, on the topic of abstaining from certain foods, explicitly tells Timothy,

“…For EVERYTHING God has created is GOOD,

and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with GRATITUDE;

for it is SANCTIFIED [set apart, dedicated to God] by means of the WORD OF GOD and PRAYER.” (1Ti4:4-5AMP)

 

 

Most of us have been taught from a young age to pray for our food.

We don't necessarily know “WHY”…

BUT WE DO IT…

…even into our old age,

knowing it is something “proper” to be done, becoming just another thoughtless, religious mantra chanted as a precursor to satiating our appetite.

 

We have even invented clever, rhyming “prayers” easily remembered and quoted by children.

The one my dad taught me:

                   “Down with your head… up with your paws… thank the good Lord for the use of your jaws”

 

 

Now… was I receiving that bologna sandwich with gratitude?

                  YOU BETCHYA!

 

Was I grateful to God “who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1Ti6:17)?

                  Ehhh… frankly, I don't remember thinking much about Him at all in that.

                   I was just happy that my growling stomach was momentarily satisfied.

 

Surely, there must be a better way than drolly repeating the same pet “PRAYER” which does nothing more to SANCTIFY my food than saying,

“Through the teeth… and past the gums… watch out stomach… here it comes!”

What if I truly receive with THANKSGIVING what has been graciously given by MY FATHER?

 

What if I really SANCTIFIED [consecrated, dedicated, regarded and set apart as especially sacred (holy)] the food I receive into this temple of the Most High God? (1Cor3:16)

 

HOW?

 

Remember… FAITH is the place from which I see all of life… the place from which my decisions are made… seated at the right hand of the Father in Christ Jesus. (Col3:1)

 

So… how does HE see this FOOD HE CREATED? …AS GOOD?

What is HIS “thought, intent, purpose, and motive” [HIS WORD – logos] behind HIS PROVISION for me?

Then… what would I SPEAK over it?

 

“PRAYER” is not begging a reluctant God to provide us with what we desire.

In 1Ti4:5 “PRAYER” is the same word “enteuxis” translated “INTERCESSION” in other verses.

Properly defined as: intervention which literally "Strikes the bulls-eye - spot on".

 

Thus, biblical INTERCESSION is learning from THE LORD what hits the HEART of HIS WILL… guiding the believer to ACT AS HIS AGENT.

 

NOW…

The food I eat with gratitude is targeted and SANCTIFIED specifically, by SPEAKING as an agent of God – His Son – what HE THINKS, INTENDS, DESIRES about what HE HAS PROVIDED.