God Is Great Grace

Song type: Grace
Best for: All ages
When to use: Before meals, camp dining hall, group meals
Energy level: Medium
Movement: None
Noise level: Moderate
Use for: Gratitude, group participation
Scout spirit: Duty to God, reverent, friendly

Saying grace before meals is a simple tradition in many Scout camps. It helps Scouts pause and remember that “A Scout is Reverent.” When a whole dining hall joins together in a short prayer, it reminds everyone that food is a gift. It also brings the group together before the meal begins.

At many Cub Scout camps, packs take turns leading grace in the dining hall. A few Scouts come to the front and guide the prayer for everyone. Younger Scouts sometimes feel nervous standing up in front of a crowd. A sung grace makes this easier because several Scouts can lead it together.

Songs work well for camp graces. Scouts already enjoy singing around the campfire and during program time. When the prayer is set to a familiar tune, they learn it quickly. Soon the whole dining hall can sing along without needing printed words.

The God Is Great Grace sung to the tune of “Rock Around the Clock” is a good example. The tune is easy to remember and lively enough to keep Scouts engaged. Because the words are simple and thankful, it works well in a mixed group. Many units use songs like this so several Scouts can stand together and lead grace with confidence.

Many Scouts learn a simple table prayer that begins with the words “God is great, God is good.” This short grace has been used for many years in Christian homes and camps. It thanks God for the food before the meal begins. Over time, groups started putting the words to different tunes so Scouts could sing it together.

Camp leaders often match the prayer with a well known song. “Rock Around the Clock” became a popular choice in some Scout camps. The rhythm is easy to follow and the tune is familiar to many people. Scouts pick it up quickly. After a few meals, most of the dining hall can join in without practice.

Songs like this also help younger Scouts lead grace. A group of five or six Scouts can stand up together and sing. This makes it less stressful than speaking alone in front of a large crowd. It also helps the whole room stay together and keeps the prayer short and clear.

This type of grace usually works well in interfaith settings. The words simply thank God for the food. They do not refer to a specific church tradition. Because of this, many camps use it for shared meals and for Scouts’ Own services. Leaders should still be thoughtful about the group and make sure everyone feels welcome when the prayer is offered.

God is great, God is good,
Let us thank Him for our food.
We’re gonna thank Him in the morning, noon and night.
We’re gonna thank Him in the broad daylight.
Gonna thank, gonna thank, gonna thank our Lord tonight.

Printable lyrics for the God Is Great grace

More Prayers and Graces

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. She respects the beliefs of others.

If you are looking for more prayers to use with your Scouts, take a look at my Prayers and Graces page. It has many short graces which work well at camp, during meetings, or before meals on a campout. Most are easy for Scouts to learn and lead.

You will find traditional graces, song graces, and simple prayers for different Scout activities. These can help your unit add a short moment of thanks and reflection during your time together.

The Scout Oath

What tune is used for the God is Great Grace?

This grace is sung to the tune of “Rock Around the Clock.” Many people already know the rhythm of this song. That makes it easy for Scouts to learn quickly. After hearing it once or twice, most groups can sing it together without much practice.

Why do Scouts sometimes sing grace instead of saying it?

Singing grace lets several Scouts lead together. This helps younger Scouts feel more comfortable standing in front of a group. It also helps the whole dining hall stay together. Songs are easy to remember, so Scouts often learn them very quickly.

Is this grace appropriate for Cub Scout camps?

Yes. Many Cub Scout camps use sung graces in the dining hall. Packs often take turns leading the prayer before meals. A short song like this helps five or six Scouts lead at the same time. That makes it a good choice for younger Scouts.

Is this grace appropriate for interfaith groups?

In many cases, yes. The words simply thank God for the food. They do not mention a specific church or tradition. Because of this, it often works well in groups that include people from different faith backgrounds.

How many Scouts should lead this grace?

A small group works best. Four to six Scouts is a good number. They can stand together at the front of the dining hall and start the song. Once they begin, the rest of the group can easily join in.

Can this grace be used outside of camp?

Yes. Scouts can use it at troop meetings, pack events, or family campouts. Any time your group gathers for a meal, a short grace like this can help everyone pause and give thanks before eating.

The God Is Great Grace sung to the tune of “Rock Around the Clock” is a fun way for Scouts to say grace before a meal. Many Scouts already know the rhythm of the song, so they can learn the words quickly. A group of Scouts can stand together and lead the prayer for everyone in the dining hall.

This grace works well at Cub Scout camps and large Scout events. Packs often take turns leading grace before meals. Singing helps several Scouts lead at the same time. That makes it easier for younger Scouts who might feel nervous speaking alone.

The words of the prayer are simple. They thank God for the food and remind Scouts to be grateful throughout the day. Because the message is clear and short, it fits well in a busy camp schedule when meals move quickly.

This type of grace also works well for groups with different faith backgrounds. The words thank God but do not focus on one tradition. Many camps use simple graces like this so everyone can take part in the moment of thanks before eating.