Another Kind of Grace

Grace… It’s a gift from God for every believer the instant they receive Christ as Savior. But there’s another kind of grace that isn’t received – it is said. It’s the offering of thanksgiving before a meal. This form of grace comes from the Latin gratiarum action, which means “act of thanks.” Jesus said grace – from the feeding of thousands to the Last Supper – to set the example for us to follow. But in our hurried pace, it’s easy to skip saying and go right to consuming without a second thought. To honor our Lord, saying grace is a simple, sweet, and divine outward expression of the glad and heartfelt gratefulness within. So let us remember not only to live in grace, but to say it too.

Then [Jesus] took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves. (Mark 6:41 CSB)

As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples… Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them. (Matthew 26:26-27 CSB)

Then [Jesus] took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, broke them into pieces and passed them to His disciples. (Mark 8:6 TLB)

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes [the apostles] received their food with glad and generous hearts. (Acts 2:46 ESV)

Father, because of Your provision, I eat and am nourished. I know there are many who starve, yet You fill my plate. Thank You for Your abundance – may I never take it for granted. Amen.

This is an excerpt from 100 Days of Grace & Gratitude by Shanna Noel and Lisa Stilwell. If you are enjoying this series, consider purchasing a copy of this book to bless someone that could use daily words of encouragement. Shop all DaySpring Books and Devotionals.