No, this is not the set up to some punch line. Rather it is the title of the latest edition of Helena Elchin’s advice column for Chow.com. She offers the following advice for antheist to follow when asked to say grace and does not or cannot refuse:

Let listeners fill in the blank. If you’re an atheist, you can be thankful without directing your thankfulness to anything or anyone in particular. Use the phrase, “Let’s be grateful for.…” Leave it vague whom you’re grateful to. Your religious listeners can quietly imagine it is a higher power.

Include details. Don’t just say, “Let’s be grateful for this dinner.” Your words will be more memorable if you mention the specific meal before you. Here’s your chance to slip in a compliment to the cook. “Let’s be grateful for Mabel’s delicious yams.” Or to a special guest: “Let’s be grateful for the presence of Uncle Bill, who cut short his fly-fishing vacation to be here.”

Don’t let dinner get cold. Keep it short. An example: “Let’s be grateful for the wonderful pork and applesauce Sue has prepared, and that we could all be here tonight.” This is not the time for a paean to Mother Earth, organic produce, or migrant apple pickers.

Keep it upbeat. A Buddhist blessing urges the diner to remember, “This plate of food, so fragrant and appetizing, also contains much suffering.” This is probably true, especially if you’re eating industrially produced meat. You could also mention all the people who are starving. But you’ll put everyone off their dinner.