We enjoy many formal and informal functions within the Royal Air Force. If a padre is present they will say grace. But what if there is no padre and you've been asked to say grace?  Hopefully you will find some inspiration below.

Battle of Britain

Heavenly Father
We ask that you would be close to those who grieve and weep
For the loss of loved ones and the life they’ve known
Give them your peace as you share they’re suffering
And help nations to work together
So that Injustice, prejudice, fear and hatred
Is replaced with justice, understanding, peace and love
And tonight we give you our thanks
For the men and women
Who gave their lives
During the Battle of Britain
To defend the freedoms
We enjoy everyday
Bless all those gathered here tonight
That their bladders & stomachs may hold
All the good gifts beheld in our sight
For which we give you our thanks. Amen

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A grace for gathering of service veterans, originally written for a lunch for 50 VCs held at the Royal Tournament

For valor – a phase so short
And yet a world of meaning caught
And held for all to learn.
In muddy trench and foreign filed
Where terror dried, “it’s hopeless, yield!”
Quiet hope and courage burned.
In flaming aircraft, sinking wreck,
Smoking cockpit, bloodstained deck,
Brave hears and spirits turned.
‘Thank God for valor’ be our grace.
‘For friends in this and every place,
for food and freedom dearly earned.’ Amen

Graduations

It seems a long, long time ago
Since Otterburn and all that snow
That bitter, January, Thurday morning
The cold, the frost, when day was dawning
The plea of every heart sincere,
O God, please get me out of here.
But to the challenge they all rose
With frozen fingers, and frozen toes.
And often since those early days
They’ve proved themselves in many ways
Excelling in so many things
At last, they have received their wings
And now each one will feel relieved
For graduation’s been achieved.
With the help of Mid’s and all E Flight,
Who taught them how to do things right!
So we thank you, Lord, this day
For these pilots, as they move on their way
And for this meal, and those who serve us
From indigestion, Good Lord, preserve us.
Amen.

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Lord as we gather here today
To see these graduates on their way.
We acknowledge all they have achieved
As in themselves they have believed.
And for those who taught them what they know
We our appreciation show.
Both on Squadrons One and Two
Who sought to guide them as they flew
And learnt the art of rotary flight
Both in the day time and at night.
For family and friends who've this day sought,
To show the graduates their support.
A day for which they all have yearned
For wings and brevets truly earned.
So bless this celebration lunch we pray
As we toast fourteen course here today. Amen.

Burns Night

We’re here tonite te toast the baird
No finer man it can be saird
Who graced bonny Scotland’s lochs and crags
To the sound of special pipes (with bags)
And fed on Haggis (EEC risky)
All washed doon wi lots o whiskey
So as we raise a glass tonight
For Rabby Burns, out hearts delight,
Lord bless our food and keep it hot
And help us Lord te scoff the lot. Amen.

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Some hae meat and canna eat,
Some have meat but they do not eat it
and some wad eat that want it,
And some would like meat but they don’t have any
but we hae meat and we can eat,
But we have meat and we can eat it
and sae the Lord be thankit.
So we say thank you to God. Amen

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As we gather here to dine,
We thank thee Lord for food and wine,
Bless each course from first to last,
As we chat of times gone past,
Future hopes and expectations,
Postings to obscure locations.
So to our stomachs we now turn
As for contentment they do yearn.
No longer for satisfaction shall they wait,
Let’s all sit down and masticate. Amen

Christmas

With Santa Claus and festive song
The afternoon will move along.
The guests today we’re here to serve
And not from that task shall we swerve
For we have turkey, potato and sprout
And gammon and stuffing - lest ye doubt
And delicacies your pulse to quicken
Plus pud’s to make the waistline thicken.
And lest for other things you pine,
We’ve lots of beer and plenty wine.
So for this meal our hearts we raise,
To thank the Lord and give him praise. Amen

Wedding

Lord on this glorious wedding day,
For N and for N we do pray,
And not forgetting N too,
Who’s a part of everything they do.
They’re such a special family,
As anyone here can plainly see!
The love they share will touch your heart,
Lord, may they never, ever part.
And may they, by your hand, be led,
As together, down life’s path they tread.
Give them your blessing from above,
So all their days are filled with love.
And now dear Lord, pure and divine
Who changed the water into wine,
Bless us now, ‘ere we may lack,
The strength we need to change it back. Amen.

General

‘Tis a pleasure here to dine
On sumptuous food and excellent wine
With splendid company gathered here
To fill our hearts with mirth and cheer
So as we sit down here tonight
With our dear hosts from Catering Flight
Dear Lord, bless all that’s on our plate
As we prepare to masticate. Amen

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We thank thee Lord for thy protection o’er us,
And the tantalising tastes soon placed before us,
Fine fare, the best thy good earth can provide,
To keep us nourished, content and filled-up inside.
And so dearest Lord, pure and divine
Who changed the water into wine,
Bless us now, ‘ere we shall lack,
As this night we seek to change it back. Amen.

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God of goodness, bless our food
Keep us in a pleasant mood.
Bless the chef and all who serve us,
From indigestion, Lord, preserve us. Amen.

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For well-filled plate
and brimming cup,
and freedom from the washing up.
We thank you, Lord. Amen

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Let us be thankful for whatever light, laughter, food and affection may come our way.
And let us be mindful equally of those who at this or some future moment may be sadly without any or all of those good and golden things.

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Bless, O Lord before we dine,
Each dish of food, each glass of wine,
And make us evermore aware,
How much, O Lord we are in your care,

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God almighty bless thee with his Holy Spirit,
Guard thee in thy going out and coming in,
Keep thee forever in His faith and fear,
Free from sin, and safe from danger.

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The Lord of joy, be our guest at our table today.
Make our meal a celebration according to thy will.

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For the spirit of adventure which takes us into the air,
For the grace of God which brings us safely back to earth.
For the comradeship that draws us together,
For the blessing of good food,
For these and all His mercies,
God’s holy name be praised.

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For the food and drink we are about to receive,
And for the skill of those who prepare and serve it,
May the Lord make us truly thankful.

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Great god, thou giver of all good,
Accept our praise and bless our food:
Grace, health and strength to us afford
Through Jesus Christ, our gracious Lord.

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God save the Queen,
And guide our nation
God bless this food
And guard our squadrons.

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God of all goodness,
Through the sharing of this meal together,
Strengthen the bonds that unite us.
Bless us and these your gifts.
For Jesus sake. Amen.

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This happy meal will happier be
If we O Lord remember thee.

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O Lord, the merciful and good,
Bless and sanctify our food.
Grant they to us may wholesome be,
And make us thankful unto thee.

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God grant grace to the Queen,
Wisdom and prosperity to this company,
And to everyone of us,
A thankful heart for His good gifts today.

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Of earth and sea and sky,
The truth behind the question ‘why’,
God, the power behind all flight,
Please bless our fellowship tonight.

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For good food provided,
For good health to enjoy it,
For good friends to share it,
Thanks be to God.

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For food, in a world where—many walk in hunger,
For faith, in a world where—many walk in fear,
For friends, in a world where—many walk alone,
May we give you humble thanks O Lord.

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Bless these thy gifts, and sanctify us as we enjoy them,
And forgive us our sins, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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We thank and praise you Lord for the gifts of your creation,
And ask a blessing on mankind, that one day we can learn
To share with poorer nations so that no one will go hungry.
We ask this through Jesus Christ Lord. Amen.

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Merciful Father, whose will it is
That none of thy children suffer want,
Grant that we, as we enjoy thy gifts,
May be ever mindful of those who are in need,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Be present at our table Lord,
Be here and everywhere adored,
Thy creatures bless and grant that we,
May feast in paradise with thee. Amen.

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Bless us O Lord, and bless this food,
Bless those who have prepared it,
And bless all the hungry people in the world. Amen.

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The eyes of all wait upon thee O Lord,
And thou givest them meat in due season.
Thou openest thine hand , and fillest
All things living with plenteousness. Amen.

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Lord bless this our meal,
And the friendship of this table. Amen.

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Before we raise our knives and forks,
And listen to the popping corks,
Help us Lord to think and pray,
For those who will not eat today. Amen.

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Lord bless the food upon these dishes,
As thou didst with the loaves and fishes,
And like the sugar in the tea,
May all of us be stirred by thee. Amen.

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Give us a heart as big as our belly
And a keen eye to see the smaller plate of those in need.

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God, who gave each man a stomach,
And a wife to comment on it,
Bless those who would desire us thinner,
Now let’s eat a five course dinner. Amen.

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For those who leave us,
And for those who remain,
And for all that we eat,
Thanks be to God. Amen.

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For good food and those who prepare it,
For all at one table who will share it,
For good conversation enhanced by good wine,
Thanks be to god, our creator divine. Amen.

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Blessed be thou Lord God of the universe,
Who bringest forth bread from the earth,
And makest glad the hearts of men. Amen.

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Give me a good digestion Lord,
And also something to digest,
Give me a healthy body lord,
With sense to keep it at it’s best. Amen.

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Christ in the wilderness 5000 fed,
Two small fishes and five loaves of bread,
May the blessings of Him who made the division,
Rest upon us and on our provision. Amen.

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For bread and wine,
And Auld Lang Syne,
God’s Holy name be praised. Amen.

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Good food, good friends,
Safe landings, thank God. Amen.

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For good fellowship in freedom
And for those who made it possible,
we give thanks. Amen.

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For all we receive from thy bounteous hand,
We give thee thanks. Amen.

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May God who’s blessed us with summer heat,
Bless us now as we sit to eat,
And may the warmth of this good weather,
Be matched by our food and hearty blether. Amen.

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For clear skies and safe landings,
For family, friends and food before us,
Thanks be to God. Amen.

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For our guests, some of them divine,
For good food, and abundant wine,
Thanks be to God. Amen.

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For those who leave us,
And for those who remain,
And for all we eat,
Let us thank God again. Amen.

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Grant O lord,
Safety to all who fly with us,
Assurance to all who put their trust in us,
Good fellowship to us who dine. Amen.

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We thank thee Lord for thy grace and protection o’er us,
And the tantalising tastes soon placed before us,
Macon rouge, chardnay, chateau roquette,
Salmon and beef, but thank God - no courgette!
Fine fare, the best thy good earth can provide,
To keep us nourished, content and filled-up inside.
And so dearest Lord, pure and divine
Who changed the water into wine,
Bless us now, ‘ere we shall lack,
As this night we seek to change it back. Amen.

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As we gather here to dine,
We thank thee Lord for food and wine,
Bless each course from first to last,
As we chat of times gone past.
Future hopes and expectations,
Postings to obscure stations.
But yet today our hearts are sad,
Heavily burdened - well just a ‘tad’
In saying farewell to the ‘Boss’,
What grief, despair, tis such a loss.
But life goes on - from age to age,
In Linton’s book we turn the page,
And close this one a few days hence,
After his contribution - so immense.
Yet one more thing dear Lord, we pray,
It’s not complaining, but might we say,
To save us all excessive grief,
After dinner lord, keep his speech brief. Amen