From Constance Anderson-White.

Dewayne and Tammi Sims say praying together, whether they’re at home or in public, is a family tradition they don’t plan to break.

And, at least one restaurateur said praying in public before meals appears to be on the rise.

The Simses, having a rare treat of sitting down to lunch on a Tuesday, said every moment their family spends together is something for which they are quick to give thanks.

The Simses, who are the parents of 8-year-old Dewayne and 2-year-old Destini, said they were taught to say blessings before eating and that’s something they have passed along to their children.

&#8220Every day is Thanksgiving for us,” said Dewayne Sims, 36, a resource officer for the Vicksburg Warren School District. &#8220Being prayerful is just part of who we are; it binds us together. We don’t set out to offend people by praying in public, but we acknowledge where our blessings come from.”

&#8220We eat out two or three times a week,” said 34-year-old Tammi Sims. &#8220And whether it’s just myself and my husband or the whole family, we take the opportunity to give thanks.”

Charles Toney is the owner of Toney’s Restaurant, where the Simses ate Tuesday, and has 25 years of experience in the restaurant business.

&#8220When people come here, they’re usually a lot more relaxed and they have that time to think before eating,” said Toney. &#8220I see people saying grace at dinner, more so than lunch. People have more time to enjoy their families.”

Joe Watson, manager of Shoney’s on Pemberton Square Boulevard, has spent 30 years in the restaurant business. He said he has seen an increase in public prayer.

&#8220I actually see it more now than I did a few years ago,” said Watson. &#8220I really like that because that’s the way I was brought up, and I think that’s the reason the majority of people do it.

&#8220It’s more common among large groups,” he continued. &#8220They’ll sit down, hold hands and bow their heads and give thanks. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to offend others in the restaurant. People seem to respect each others’ preferences.”

The Rev. Reginald Bernard said blessing the food is a tradition explained in the Bible as an acknowledgement that it is through God’s providence that you are about to eat.

&#8220Christians cannot change who they are because they change settings,” said Bernard, the pastor of King Solomon Baptist Church for the past three years. &#8220There’s nothing wrong with thanking God publicly for what he’s done for us. It shows that we belong to him and we don’t just leave God at the church.”

The Simses agree changes in society have afforded others the opportunity to make excuses concerning prayer.

&#8220Years ago, people were a lot less busy,” said Tammi Sims. &#8220There were more mothers staying home. People worked fewer hours, and it was fairly common to see families spending more time together.

&#8220Today, it’s really different,” she continued. &#8220The time is not there. Parents are working more, and the children are in after-school programs. People think they’re too busy to give thanks, but it only takes 5 or 10 seconds to say grace with your family.”

Dewayne Sims agreed with his wife and added that people usually take eating for granted.

&#8220People believe being able to eat comes naturally, but it doesn’t – it’s a blessing,” he said. &#8220There are so many people who don’t know where their next meal will be coming from. Any one of us could lose our jobs today or tomorrow and be in that position. That’s our purpose for giving thanks to God for letting us eat again.”

Young Dewayne said he takes what his parents have taught him to school.

&#8220I make sure I say my grace at lunch at school because it’s the right thing to do,” said the Bowmar Elementary third-grader. &#8220My friends do it sometimes, but I remember to do it because that’s what I was taught.”