Invocation

My dictionary (Okay, it was actually Google) tells me that an invocation is the action of invoking someone or something, which isn't very helpful. It goes on to add that it is about invoking (whatever that means) someone or something.
A further entry suggests an invocation is a from of prayer requesting (invoking?) the presence of God, especially at the beginning of a religious service. With synonyms: prayer, request, entreaty. Behold the wonders of Google!
So why this discussion? It's not just that I love words and their meaning and the way they are used and change although that is partly it.

I was intrigued recently when the MC of a presentation dinner told us that since it was really a Rotary meeting we would start the meal with the invocation. It wasn't a traditional 'grace' as said before a email by many Christians but it was certainly a statement of thanks. I think ti ended by saying, 'We give thanks.' It's a wonderful thing to be grateful and to acknowledge the good things - friends and food - that we were sharing. But it made me wonder. Who were we giving thanks to? Or was it just a warm feeling of gratitude? Perhaps deep down we really  hunger to have a connection with something beyond ourselves, something bigger. Maybe it's a bit like headlines in times of crisis where people are implored to 'pray for...' What does this mean? Who to? How? Again is it a deep desire for something more, something beyond?

So let's go on doing invocations, seeking what we long for - connection with the divine. And we will find.....