grace

A grace is a short prayer or thankful phrase said before or after eating. The term most commonly refers to Christian traditions. Some traditions hold that grace and thanksgiving imparts a blessing, which sanctifies the meal. In English, reciting such a prayer is sometimes called "saying grace". The term comes from the Ecclesiastical Latin phrase gratiarum actio 'act of thanks'. Theologically, the act of saying grace is derived from the Bible in which Jesus and Saint Paul pray before meals. The practice reflects the belief that humans should thank God who is believed to be the origin of everything.