Jell-O is not a food that we often think of being particularly thankful to be eating.  Now don’t get me wrong Jell-O tastes fine, but it is not as extravagant a food as many other items are that take longer to prepare.

In my encounters with patients though I find many who are excited they have Jell-O on their meal tray.  They patients have had either no foods or only liquids due to their condition, and when they receive Jell-O it is the first soft food they have received.  Frequently they ask me to say a pray for the meal tray that has been brought to them.  So over time I have composed what I call my “Jell-O Prayer”.

Dear Lord, we thank you that _______ (name of patient) has progressed in the healing process so that he/she can eat again.  At this meal we are thankful for Jell-O.  More importantly we praise you for the healing that has taken place that allows him/her to have soft foods.  We also see this Jell-O as a sign of hope, that before long he/she will be able to have a regular diet.  We know that ______ (name of patient) has felt hungry while he/she has been restricted from foods.  As that restriction ends we celebrate your healing power at work in his/her body.  Amen.