When I sit down to read from my Bible, or when I listen to the words of Scripture, I always try to preface my time with a simple prayer. A few words to help me focus, and more importantly, to invite the Holy Spirit’s involvement. I don’t want to just scan words across a page (which sometimes happens), but I hope the wisdom contained sinks deep roots into my heart.

The following are a few passages from scripture that I pray regularly, cycling through them at different times. I’ll share the passage and then the prayer I say from it.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Lord, as I read today, open my eyes and let me see the wonderful things in your law.

Psalm 119:18

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.

Lord, please give me a heart to know you, and may this time in your word grow that heart.

jeremiah 24:7

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Lord, may this time in your word bring light to my path.

psalm 119:105

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

Lord, I want to know you better. Please grant me your Spirit of wisdom and revelation as I spend time in your word.

ephesians 1:17

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Lord, open my mind so that I can understand these Scriptures.

Luke 24:45

As you can see, I simply pray the line from scripture back to the Lord. It’s not hard, as long as I remember to do it, and I write these prayers in my journal so I won’t forget.

Inviting the Holy Spirit to read over my shoulder helps me gain the most from the time I devote to reading or listening to the Scriptures. On my own I gain head knowledge, but with the Holy Spirit I gain his knowledge.

Which is what I’m after.

Photo by Patrick Fore