Author Topic: Praying at restaurants (Read 879 times)

Conan The Librarian · « **on:** January 09, 2012, 07:29:16 AM »

My son is an enthusiastic Catholic, but he's shy about praying at restaurants prior to a meal. I tell him to just pray and don't be ashamed of it. That's what we do when he's with me. I don't care about the religion, but if praying aloud before a meal is part of the faith, then I say go for it.

Do you find it common to pray at home before a meal, but not at restaurants?

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2012, 07:38:53 AM »

I find I do it more often when we are dining with others, and less by ourselves and I don't know why. I think it makes some people nearby uncomfortable, so we don't make a production of it, just loud enough for all in our group to hear.
Interestingly, while waiting at the county courthouse for a matter involving my daughter, the family prayed with her. When we finished one of the court officers came over and asked if we were praying. She was very pleased to hear that we were and commented that it was the first time she had ever seen that. BTW, county courthouses are very dark places spiritually.

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2012, 08:20:25 AM »

My opinion is that if you feel like praying then pray. Why worry about what other people think. Your not asking them to stop doing what they are doing. It doesn't hurt them to possibly overhear you ask god to bless you or your family.

powderman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2012, 08:43:53 AM »

Quote

BTW, county courthouses are very dark places spiritually.

Our county courthouse has the 10 commandments in the hall, Patty and I took them there 3 judges ago. We stopped in to meet the new judge last week and thank him for leaving them there, then saw that he also has his own copy on the wall of his office.
We give thanks before every meal no matter where we are. Patty and I join hands and give thanks. I could care less what others think about it, they don't have to listen and it is only loud enough for us to hear.
CONAN. Remind your son what the Bible says about denying Jesus, because he has more to fear from God than anybody in public. I would think that not praying for fear of what MAN might think would be like saying that I was ashamed of being a Christian, but thats just me. POWDERMAN.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2012, 08:44:06 AM »

One can pray without anyone around even knowing. The bible even refers to praying as a private thing, not a public spectacle.
GuzziJohn

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2012, 10:14:10 AM »

Lighten up, Guzzi. It's not like they're letting out a Tarzan yell and setting themselves on fire. It's just a quiet utterance and some hand gestures about the face and chest.

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2012, 10:17:48 AM »

We pray unless we are with another couple that we feel it might offend.

Lost Farmboy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2012, 11:03:57 AM »

Quote from: guzzijohn on January 09, 2012, 08:44:06 AM

One can pray without anyone around even knowing. The bible even refers to praying as a private thing, not a public spectacle.
GuzziJohn

This is true, but I have been caught.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2012, 11:07:53 AM »

if we ignore God he will ignore us , something to consider . If thanking God in front of others embaresses you then you might be missing the point

powderman · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2012, 11:53:29 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on January 09, 2012, 11:07:53 AM

if we ignore God he will ignore us , something to consider . If thanking God in front of others embaresses you then you might be missing the point

SHOOTALL. Well said Sir, and very true. It's God we want to please, not man. If we are with others we pray anyway, if they are offended by God and prayer then I don't want to be around them anyway. POWDERMAN.

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2012, 11:58:37 AM »

Every one of the Gospels mentions "offending one of these little ones" but you say your self rightousness is more important?

ironglow · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2012, 12:17:17 PM »

I don't concern myself if someone at another table is discussing a football game, a stock car race or squirrel hunting..that's their business. That's the way I feel about praying at the next table over from them..so I just go ahead and pray.
Fortunately, I live in an area where prayers at a meal are not uncommon, and have never been hassled for it.. Why should I be ?
Conan, just remind your son of (Romans 1:16)
" For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
''''''''''''''''''''''

The ones I consider a real bore are the ones who are uncouth enough to mock somebody like Tim Tebo. It would be different if Tim were holding up the game or otherwise inconveniencing others, but I haven't seen where that has occurred.

Incidently, they mentioned that he was disallowed in the NFL, from face painting (John 3:16) below his eyes on those small black patches. On the news tonight, they brought out a bit of irony.. In his big win this weekend his total passing yardage was 316 and the final score was 31-6... Interesting..

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #12 on:** January 09, 2012, 12:58:37 PM »

my father was converted as a result of seeing a fellow employee bow his head and silently give thanks for his lunch-the other guys would walk by and say''put in a word for me''.This bothered my father,who was from a Christian family-but never made any profession of faith himeself.He spoke to this man,who invited him to a gospel meeting and my father came to know the Lord.Dad is gone these 30 years now-but all four of us children are believers, we have taken in over 50 babies from drug addicts and prositutes-and my brother set up 4 non profit orphanages in third world countries ,caring for over 2500 children,and also building medical centers in the communities.......and all because one man wasn't ashamed to bow his head and give thanks......think about that next time you are in a restaurant.....

powderman · « **Reply #13 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:04:39 PM »

RATHERBEFISHIN. When I worked at walmartone day I'd had a really bad morning when a lady came by the table and told me that it gave her such a lift seeing me pray and give thanks over my meal every day. She said it was a wonderful witness, I'd never thought of it that way.

Swampy. Who are you talking to?? POWDERMAN.

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:28:08 PM »

You, The Bible says we shouldn't offend (spiritual little ones) but you said you don't care who you offend.

briarpatch · « **Reply #15 on:** January 09, 2012, 03:24:11 PM »

A while ago I got involved in politics as far as helping good candidates and picking good men and women to lead this country. As soon as I heard Tea party I started looking for one. A man here in town started a group, I met him and found him very enthusiastic about the Tea Party so I joined. We did not have a place to meet so he asked around town at different places until he found a place we would be allowed to meet as a Tea Party group.
A well known BBQ restaurant excepted us and we set a date to meet. He sent an email to each of us to let know where to meet and gave us a date.
We met on said night as the restaurant was going full bore, I dont think the owner fully understood what was to take place.
As we arrived at the restaurant we would fill up empty tables and were more or less on the outside of the room with a lot of people not with the Tea Party sitting in the middle of us.
When the time to start arrived Don just stood up and said ok we will now Pledge Allegiance to the Flag and after which so and so will led us in Prayer.
Now I thought boy, this aint going to work at a public place like this but the train had left the station. We stood up and said the Pledge. Everyone in there pulled off their hats and stood with us faced the flag and recited with us. When the prayer was said every hat was off and every head bowed. I know because I could not help but look.
That told me there are a lot more faithful people than those that would have something to say about Prayer in a public place.

SteveHawaii · « **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2012, 03:31:21 PM »

I pray at home and usually at restaurants. The prayer at home is usually longer. If I'm with people who might be uncomfortable, I simply ask them if they mind if I pray for the meal. I've never had someone turn me down.

powderman · « **Reply #17 on:** January 09, 2012, 05:04:22 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 09, 2012, 02:28:08 PM

You, The Bible says we shouldn't offend (spiritual little ones) but you said you don't care who you offend.

Baloney. In other words you are saying to God, I'll acknowledge you at home or Church, but not in public cause you don't want to offend anybody?? I'd be more worried about offending God than some idjit in a restaurant. Where does it say that public prayer might offend the little ones?? POWDERMAN.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2012, 01:43:13 AM »

first if we don't recognize God in front of others then he will not recognize us in heaven . Second if my praying to my God offends someone they must be unsure of their own beliefs. Third if you are afraid of your children seeing others display their beliefts then your beliefs must be weak and easiely changed.
When a person engauges in their religious pratices all those who don't believe need to do is ignore them. Failure to do so is first a lack of courtsy and second it looks like you are weak in your beliefs or lack of beliefs. When the govt. makes a law that a person(s) can't pray in a place or building then they have in fact told the citizens how to pratice a religion and it would seem violated the consitution.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2012, 02:09:02 AM »

True enough, you shouldn't be offensive to others in public. I don't see how it would really be offensive for non religious people to see religous people praying at their table. Then again, there seem to be lots of folks getting offended over things I can't imagine being offended by. Being an athiest seems to mean being easily offended, if the news reports are any indication.

Why people who don't believe in anything get upset that others believe in something seems silly to me. Even people of other faiths shouldn't be offended. If someone says "Happy Hanukkah" to me I say "Thank you". Easy enough.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** January 10, 2012, 02:15:21 AM »

when people of other religions trust you enough to include you in their celebrations it shows trust on their part .

powderman · « **Reply #21 on:** January 10, 2012, 04:37:03 AM »

Quote

first if we don't recognize God in front of others then he will not recognize us in heaven . Second if my praying to my God offends someone they must be unsure of their own beliefs. Third if you are afraid of your children seeing others display their beliefts then your beliefs must be weak and easiely changed.

SHOOTALL. All true Sir. We RARELY see anybody pray when we are out. We have NEVER had anybody complain and several times had a waitress bow her head too. POWDERMAN.

ironglow · « **Reply #22 on:** January 10, 2012, 01:06:59 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 09, 2012, 02:28:08 PM

You, The Bible says we shouldn't offend (spiritual little ones) but you said you don't care who you offend.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Swampy;
I really must take exception to that idea. You read what Ratherbefishin , Briarpatch and Shootall said... It looks like a prayer may well do more good than harm.
As Christians, we should know this old tripe about "Prayer offends me" is just another liberal/Atheist excuse to crowd Christianity out of public discourse. Should we fall for their predatory excuses ?
There are some words and phrases Liberal/atheists commonly use which offends me...do you think they would immediately 'cease and desist' from using those terms if I complained about being offended ?
Most real Christians are offended by their abortions, their pushing for gay "marriage", their mocking of Christ and their hatred of guns and hunting.. Have they backed off out of respect for our being offended ?
I see no way in which the spiritual "little ones" could be harmed by being in the same room as a prayer is quietly said. If you see it..let us know how that "offending' takes place. Shucks, it may even draw someone to the Lord....Just as Ratherbefishin witnessed to you..

lakota · « **Reply #23 on:** January 10, 2012, 01:31:54 PM »

I reckon that if someone wants to pray in a resteraunt then that is their business and no one else's.

BBF · « **Reply #24 on:** January 11, 2012, 06:33:30 AM »

I consider the volume first and foremost. I don' like ill behaved children in a Restaurant or loud ( mostly obnoxious) music.
You can pray silently or in a very hushed voice.
Sitting on a table with someone who suddenly starts praying out loud is an affront to me and I will never sit with that person again.

ironglow · « **Reply #25 on:** January 11, 2012, 06:44:38 AM »

I guess I rarely eat with anyone who takes suh an offense at prayer, so I have been basically speaking of people at other tables. I don't mind someone at a nearby table talks about football, a movie, stok returns or beef Stroganoff, so long as they keep it at a reasonable level. I expect others to view prayer in the same way...mutual respect; doesn't seem like a lot to ask.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #26 on:** January 11, 2012, 07:43:18 AM »

any time I see someone bow their head and ''give thanks'' silently or quietly-when I leave,I try to walk by their table and let them know I appreciate seeing a fellow believer ''give thanks'' for their meal.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:08:53 AM »

.
Sitting on a table with someone who suddenly starts praying out loud is an affront to me and I will never sit with that person again.

I would look to see what they were praying about first .

praying might be the correct responce

BBF · « **Reply #28 on:** January 11, 2012, 09:30:24 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on January 11, 2012, 08:08:53 AM

.
Sitting on a table with someone who suddenly starts praying out loud is an affront to me and I will never sit with that person again...................
.......................................................

Fair enough question. In a Restaurant after the food was placed on the table this particular person had joined the Armstrong cult if I recall it correctly and felt everybody should be aware of his newfound belief.

As I found out later he did the same thing on a Dinner Date with someone I knew well.

BTW I wonder what sort of ritual other religions perform before eating, that could be interesting $:-\$

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #29 on:** January 11, 2012, 09:43:03 AM »

BBF I was thinking about the resturant where the guy came in killing people . Luby's I think was the name. I see your side but there can be two sides .