A Prayer to Pray before Studying God’s Word
By Christina Patterson
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
The Bible compares the Word of God to a double-edged sword showing its ability to cut the heart and change lives forever. (Hebrews 4:12) Whenever I pick up my Bible I feel the weight of this sword and its power. It makes me feel like a little girl holding a weapon too big to carry. Handling something so powerful is exciting yet intimidating at the same time.
So I never go into studying God’s Word lightly. We never should. The Word of God has the power to change minds, heal hearts, and cut out sin. However, something so powerful handled the wrong way can also cause harm. I never want to be the one using God’s Word to cause hurt, pain, or confusion. And I’m sure you don’t either.
For this reason, before I open my Bible and heart to the Word of God I first open my mouth in prayer to request specific things from God. And over years of studying my Bible God has faithfully answered this prayer. I want to share my prayer with you in hopes it will increase the quality of your time in God’s Word and help you to handle it’s truths with clarity and confidence.
I always start off praying for discernment and wisdom. James 1:5 tells us:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (NIV)
Coming across a scripture I do not understand can be discouraging. But I’ve found that unlocking the mysteries of scripture starts with prayer. All wisdom, knowledge, and correct understating come from God and He is ready to grant us understanding if we are willing to ask. This also ensures that I am receiving God’s understanding and intention about a scripture and that I am not relying on my own understanding.
Let’s Pray:
“Lord, thank you for this time you’ve given me to open your Word and discover who you are. Thank you that you don’t leave us in the dark about who you are and what you are doing in the world, but that you have revealed yourself and your will through the Bible, your sacred words to us. Lord, I need wisdom as I read your Word. You promise us in James 1:5 that we only have to ask for wisdom to receive it. Lord, please give me your wisdom now as I approach your word. Help me discern the truth of this text. Help me not rely on my own understanding. Thank you God for the clarity, encouragement and hope your Word brings. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”
Editor’s Note: Portions of this devotional were taken from Christina Patterson’s article, 3 Prayers You Should Pray before Reading Your Bible. You can find that article in full here.
www.crosswalk.com
Lord Jesus the Messiah of Nazareth, Son of the true and living God, who was born of the Virgin Mary over 2000 years ago, who was fully God and fully man, led a sinless holy life, voluntarily died on the cross to conquer sin and rose again on the third day to conquer death, as I come before You to study Your Word would You please free up all of the human parts within me who would like to join together in Your Name to study Your Word and to learn according to the ministry of Your Holy Spirit and Your truth.
As I read my Bible and all study aids please cleanse and purify Your words and allow them to remain whole and in context. Do not allow Your truth to be twisted or changed in any way. Please allow Your Word to fall upon fertile soil within me and to edify all who hear it. I renounce the enemy’s efforts to block or steal or to fragment Your truth as I read it and I pray that all inside would be allowed to discern truth as it comes from Your Word. Remove the spiritual blindness and deafness that keeps each of my alters and fragments from seeing and hearing from You. Please soften my heart and allow every part of me to discern Your will for my life today. Please impart to me Your spiritual wisdom and discernment and allow me to hear the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
I embrace Him who is the truth, the Lord Jesus the Messiah, as my strength and protection from all of Satan’s deceptions. I desire that the truth of God’s Word shall constantly gain a deeper place in my life. I pray that the truth of the Word of God may be my heart’s delight to study and memorize.
Please prevent all internal and external distractions that would keep me from staying focused or cause switching. Please block all internal and external interruptions that would occupy the time that I have set aside for You. In Your holy Name, Amen.
www.care1.org
“Lord God, I reaffirm my faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son, who died for me on the cross and was resurrected that I may now have life in Him. Thank you, Father, that I have the authority of Jesus Christ over every evil power. In the name of Jesus Christ, by the power of His cross and blood, I bind the spirits, powers and forces of the earth, the underground, the air, the water, the fire, the netherworld and the satanic forces of nature. I bind all interplay, interaction and communication of evil spirits as they would try to affect me in any way during this time of Bible study. I claim the protection of the shed blood of Jesus Christ over myself, including my eyes, ears, hands and mind as I read the Bible today. Thank you for your protection, Lord. Please prepare my heart and help me to receive your Word with understanding and without distraction from the enemy. Please send your holy angels to fill my home and minister to me especially as I read Your Word. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
bible study prayer
www.missionariesofprayer.org
Welcome to Five Minute Devotionals! A time to grab your coffee (or tea) and sit for five minutes, read Scripture, and spend a few minutes in prayer! I’ve made it easy for you this morning. Simply jot down the questions below in your journal, or print off the attached PDF of today’s devotional to do in your free time today. If you are on the go, look up the references in the SheReadsTruth App or Bible App on your phone.
It is about our daily life in the Word. Jesus is ready to meet us here. If you have five minutes to scroll through Facebook, you have five minutes to spend in the Word!
Dear Lord, I pray you will guide our minds and hearts for even the next few minutes. Draw us close to You. As we open your Word, let the Holy Spirit guide us to truth. Amen.
Let’s talk about……
Prayer and Bible study.
We call know prayer and Bible study should go together, but how often do we just use prayer as the Opener and Closer of our Bible study time? Did you know prayer should be the FUEL to POWER THROUGH our Bible study? It is time we start praying BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER our Bible study. We know through the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit we have amazing access to God through prayer.
We pray for our days, weeks, and lives, but do we pray for our eyes to be opened to the truths of Scripture? Praying for our physical health and the health of our friends and family is common, but what about praying for your spiritual health? Do you pray for your Bible study time to be productive? Our time in prayer is often spent asking the Lord God to work in marvelous ways (and He does call us to do this: _ ). What about working a mighty work in our lives through praise and thanksgiving?
How much time is spent during your Bible study time in prayer?
Before this month, I was the person who prayed before beginning my study. I used a general notebook, from Rooted Ink. Although I did praise God, list requests and answered prayers, I hardly asked prayer for my Bible study time. I might say something quick in my head before starting…..Dear Father, help me understand…Amen.
As far as specific prayers FOR my Bible study, I just felt like I was stumbling around. So for today, I’ve listed FIVE prayers I have begun to pray over my Bible study and devotional time. These prayers have Scripture associated with them. I encourage you to look up each passage as well.
1. Dear God, I praise your word. I give you honor and glory for all you have written. With words you created all of heaven and earth. How awesome, perfect, and wonderful are all of your ways. Above all, you are seated on your throne, to reign in steadfast love and mercy. (Psalm 8 & 9)
2. O God, I give you thanks for the good gift of your word. Let my heart and mind be still in thanksgiving for this amazing gift. Every good gift, including your word, is a gift to me. I thank you for the wisdom you provide. I give you thanks for your love and mercy towards me. Amen. (Psalm 136)
3. Lord, please open my eyes to the truth of your word. I pray for wisdom as I prepare to read your word, clarity for while I read, and discernment as I apply your word to my heart. Let your word change my actions. I pray the truth I find here will transform my heart and mind to follow more after you. Amen. (James 1:5, 22-25)
4. Dear Heavenly, use your word to convict and correct. Show me in your word how I am falling short. Search my heart. Cleanse me from my sin. Wash me clean with the truth of your Word. Set me on the right path again. Amen. (Psalm 139:23-24)
5. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, holy is your word. Perfect are your ways. Let me be blessed by your word today as I mediate on your precepts. Your promises are true. Your word is faithful. Let me walk in the path of your word today. I pray the words of my mouth come from YOUR truth.. Let my thoughts be governed by YOUR commandments. Please bless this day as I seek to dwell in your word today. Amen. (Psalm 119)
I’ve shared with you five prayers you can pray over your Bible study! Now, print off today’s devotional so you can put into practice praying over your Bible study. I’ve included a short passage to read, meditate, and asked a few questions. However, really spend the majority of your time in prayer.
You can also just download a copy of the prayers here. Download just the 5 Prayers to Pray Over Bible Study and use them everyday.
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