A Family Dinner Prayer

Floy (Bates) Aderman (1889 – 1960), wife of Carl Aderman, was the daughter of Robert Josiah Bates (1853 -1926) and Marga Ann “Margie” Radley (1857 – 1911). As a girl, she and her siblings learned a table prayer from their parents. This prayer was found again just a few years ago, written in Floy’s handwriting, and stored in an attic trunk. It had become a standard prayer at many of Carl and Floy’s family gatherings over the years. As we prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, here is the Bates/Aderman family table grace.

The Prayer:

Accept our thanks, kind Heavenly Father, for the privilege of gathering around the table spread before us with the necessaries of life. Bless this food to its intended juices, pardon our many sins, and guide us to Thy praise. We ask these favors in Christ’ name. Amen.