God Is Great, God Is Good (Children's Mealtime Grace)

God is great, God is good, and we thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed; give us, Lord, our daily bread.

Amen.

About This Prayer

This little rhyming grace has been taught to children since at least the nineteenth century; its author is unknown, which is usually the sign of a prayer the whole church wrote together. Some families say "Let us thank Him for our food" in the second line — both versions are old and both are right. In four short lines it manages real theology: who God is (great and good), what we owe Him (thanks), where food actually comes from (His hands), and a small echo of the Lord's Prayer ("our daily bread") that children grow into.

In Plain Words

If you'd rather pray the same heart in your own words: God, you are big and you are kind — thank you for this food. Everything on this table came from you. Please keep feeding us, today and every day.

A Verse to Hold On To

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." — Psalm 136:1 (KJV)