Be Present at Our Table Lord

One of the three sung table graces included in Lutheran Service Book is “Be Present at Our Table, Lord” (LSB 775). The first part of the text, from around 1740, was written to be used before a meal began. It asks the Lord’s presence be at the dinner table. The text also has a parallel verse to be spoken or sung at the close of a meal: We bless Thee, Lord, for this our food, But more for Jesu’s flesh and blood; The manna to our spirits giv’n, The living bread sent down from heav’n; Praise shall our grateful lips employ, While life and plenty we enjoy; ’Till worthy, we adore Thy name, While banqueting with Christ, the lamb. The English author John Cennick thoughtfully ties together our daily eating at our home tables with our being together at the Lord’s Table at worship. Wherever our tables may be, the Lord is there with His blessing!