Looking for a prayer to use at a wedding rehearsal dinner? Not sure what to pray at a rehearsal dinner?
You can use any of these nine loving prayers at a rehearsal dinner before a wedding. You can easily modify the details, like the names of the bride and groom, to fit the circumstances. Whether it’s this specific prayer topic or the 100+ other prayers on this website, we want you to be at ease when you pray to God. So, these prayers are for you to get started.
It’s okay to be looking for some guidance as to what to pray on this special occasion. Unless you are accustomed to praying in public in front of people often, you may be nervous and unsure as to what to say. Praying in public is different than praying silently by yourself.
You are representing everyone when you pray at the rehearsal dinner, so it is perfectly acceptable to have your prayer written out and to pray it as you read. Public prayer isn’t really the time to wing it or pray off the cuff. Make use of these prayers to express the emotion and sentiment you want to offer the couple and all those gathered.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5.16-18, NIV).
A wedding is a joyous time and the rehearsal is a practice time, to make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time. The rehearsal dinner allows all the participants and family to gather and eat and fellowship before the big event. It makes sense then, that the prayer for a rehearsal dinner be filled with happiness and celebration for what is happening.
“Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5.18-20, NIV).
Put aside any nerves or anxiety you may have about this act of public prayer at the rehearsal dinner. Be filled with the confidence of God’s Holy Spirit as you speak love, celebration, and blessing upon the meal and all those present.
A Short Prayer For a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Dear God our Father, we gather here to eat and fellowship as we look forward to the wedding ceremony of (bride and groom names). We thank you for getting everyone here safely and for the excitement and joy we all feel right now.
We ask that you bless the food before us, the family and friends beside us, and the love we share between us all through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Prayer For a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Outside
Lord, we come to you in prayer right now to ask your blessing on the food we are about to eat. We also ask your blessing upon (names of the bride and groom) as they become a married couple tomorrow.
We are grateful for the pleasant weather we have to gather outside and enjoy a delicious meal, alongside the friends and family we love so dearly. What a blessing it is to enjoy your creation as we eat and share with one another.
May we each get the restful and renewing sleep we will need this night, and let us awaken to your love in the morning. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Prayer For a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Inside
Dear God, as we settle in to our seats in this amazingly beautiful venue, we give thanks for who you are and for bringing this couple together. As we eat tonight, we are gathered in anticipation of witnessing the marriage ceremony of (bride and groom).
Thank you that we are sheltered against the weather right now. Thank you for the food we are about to eat and please bless the people who made it and serve it tonight. May we enjoy these joyous moments together and celebrate your love for us all. In the name of Jesus I lift this prayer to you, Amen.
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Prayer By a Family Member
God, I am praying this prayer to ask your blessing upon this dinner. We have rehearsed the ceremony and look forward to the wedding tomorrow of (bride and groom).
As the (relationship-sister, brother, etc) of the (bride or groom), I am honored to pray for them and for this gathering tonight. On behalf of all of us, I give thanks to you for bringing them together in your love. I give thanks for making it possible for each of us to be here to witness and blessing this marriage ceremony.
May you bless this food to nourish and strengthen us. May you bless each participant in the wedding ceremony so that you are glorified. I pray this through Jesus Christ, the Giver of true Love, Amen.
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Prayer By a Friend
Lord God, I pray this prayer and admit I am nervous since I’ve never prayed in public before. But I know that you hear our prayers and receive them through your grace.
I’ve known (describe the bride or groom you know) for a long, long time and am honored to be here to witness them getting married tomorrow. Thank you for bringing us all here together safely so that we can bless this wonderful couple.
I ask your blessing upon this meal we are about to eat and upon those who prepared it for us. We are almost to the blessed event and we are filled with joy and love to be able to take part in this wedding. I ask all of this for your glory and in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer For a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner In The Summer
Dear Lord, I come to you in prayer on behalf of every person here. We have practiced where we’re supposed to walk and stand for the wedding ceremony tomorrow and enjoyed some good moments of laughter in the process.
We are blessed to have the coolness of air conditioning in the midst of the hotness of summer. We are blessed to have space to gather and eat and enjoy one another tonight.
I ask your blessing upon this wonderful meal, upon each person sitting here, and upon the loving couple this night. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Prayer For a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner In The Winter
In the stillness of a winter night, surrounded by the pristine snow, we pause now to give thanks to you, God our Father, for the marriage ceremony of (bride and groom) tomorrow.
As we sit at our tables now, having rehearsed the practical details of what’s happening tomorrow, let us take a moment to reflect upon the love you have given to us through Jesus. May we be warmed by your Spirit as we see that holy love showered upon the couple in their marriage.
We give thanks to you for the food we are about to eat. Let it bring nourishment to our bodies and minds as we live out your grace and mercy to one another. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer For a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner In The Spring
Father God, I give you thanks for the beautiful day this has been. The beauty of your creation has been evident everywhere, from the colorful, blooming flowers to the songs of the birds we’ve heard.
Spring is a wonderful time to celebrate new life and new beginnings and we do that in the joining together of (bride and groom) tomorrow at the wedding. Now, though, we pause to give you thanks for each person here, family or friend, who will be a part of the ceremony. Each of us is helping to bless this new couple.
We ask you to bless the meal we are about to eat. Let us enjoy the flavor and aroma of the food, the laughter and conversation we share, and the moments of peace we experience. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Prayer For a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner In The Fall
Lord God, just as the falling leaves remind us that things come to an end, we are reminded that for (bride and groom), their single lives are coming to an end. Tomorrow they will join together as a wedded couple, starting a new life together, united as a three-fold cord with you in strength.
We thank you for the warmth of this place and this meal we are about to eat. Just as the season has changed from summer to autumn, we know that our lives also change from moment to moment. Let us enjoy this moment we have together, as family and friends, with the happy couple.
We ask all of this through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Concluding Thoughts
With 2.5 million couples getting married each year, it’s highly likely that you will be asked to pray at a rehearsal dinner at some point.
As you prepare to pray the rehearsal dinner prayer (and you should prepare ahead of time!), keep in mind that it’s not about you. Yes, you will be up front and likely speaking into a microphone, but it’s not about you. It’s about God.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4.10, NIV).
You’re there to speak to God on behalf of the couple and everyone one else present at the meal. As you make use of the prayers above, I gently suggest that you rehearse speaking the words. Find the right cadence, tone, and pace that suits your voice. Yes, it is okay and completely fine to rehearse a public prayer.
Your goal is to glorify the Lord. Do you want to have a public prayer filled with “Uh, um, yeah, and like, uh, Lord, will you, um, you know, bless. . .”? Reading the written prayer and rehearsing it has a way of pushing the nervousness aside and letting the light shine on Jesus and his love in the moment.
Rehearsing a prayer for a wedding rehearsal dinner prayer has a nice completeness to it, wouldn’t you agree?
