Obviously I’m having some fun these days with reporters asking me ritual-related questions.  This week’s question was from a United Methodist News Service writer about Thanksgiving prayers.  Whether she uses this or not, here is a story that changed my table prayer life forever:

My friend, Nina Reeves, who was the North Alabama Conference leader of youth ministry for decades (she is a legend and one of the saints of the UMC),  told me once as we sat in a restaurant for lunch, “Marcia, when I go out to dinner with my interfaith friends, words sometimes get in our way.  So when we pray before the meal, we just ‘lift the plate!'”  Then she grabbed her plate full of food and I grabbed mine and we lifted it silently into the air.  “Amen!” is the only word uttered as we replaced the plates on the table.  I’ve been using this wordless “table grace” ever since and it never fails to bring smiles and delight all around.  There is something mystical-feeling about this simple gesture done together.  There is a palpable feeling of gratitude in that fleeting ritual moment that seems bigger than what is produced by specific words.

I offer this because I think that often we are often around tables at Thanksgiving with family and friends that come from various traditions – or infrequent or no spiritual practice of prayer.  Or there is often an awkward moment, deciding who will offer the prayer at the table.  “Lifting the plate” can include everyone in a common practice that offers everyone a way to give thanks for the food, for the gathering, for life!