Prayer for Illumination: How Do You Begin Your Daily Bible Reading?
About a decade ago, while studying at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I was helped by Dr. John Jefferson Davis’s practical advice for the devotional life. One thing that stood out to me, in particular, was how he taught us to pray “In your presence, Lord, come Holy Spirit” at the beginning of one’s time in prayer and Bible reading. This small piece of advice has been something that I’ve practiced for the last ten years. It is a helpful orientation towards approaching prayer and Scripture reading as less of a chore and more an opportunity to encounter God’s Spirit and spend time in the presence of the Living God, who loves me and is really there with me at that moment.
More recently, I began using Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship to guide my morning devotional time with God, which I have really enjoyed and highly recommend. I’ve used similar guides over the years and have found them to be helpful in structuring my prayer and Bible reading time with intentionality—especially as they include things like Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon built into the daily rhythm.
One of the sections included in Be Thou My Vision’s daily personal liturgy is a Prayer for Illumination intended to be read right before your Scripture reading. This prayer varies from day to day; sometimes it is from the Book of Common Prayer or another liturgy; other times, it’s from an older saint from another generation or a Puritan or a Reformer. I love the tagline for the prayer, which says, “As you read his word, ask God to enlighten your mind and heart,” as the prelude for the prayer of illumination.
Here are 3 of the prayers of illumination which I would commend to you for your personal use before your scripture reading:
Middleberg Liturgy
“Almighty God, and most merciful Father, we humbly submit ourselves, and fall down before your Majesty, asking you from the bottom of our hearts, that this seed of your Word now sown among us, may take such deep root, that neither the burning heat of persecution cause it to wither, nor the thorny cares of this life choke it. But that as seed sown in good ground, it may bring forth thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold, as your heavenly wisdom has appointed. Amen.” -Middleberg Liturgy, quoted in Be Thou My Vision, pg. 42
Book of Common Prayer
“Blessed Lord, you have caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning - grant us that we may in such a way hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them; that by patience and comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” -Book of Common Prayer (1552), quoted in Be Thou My Vision pg. 49
Martin Bucer
“Almighty God, gracious Father, since our whole salvation depends on our true understanding of your holy Word, grant that our hearts - freed from worldly affairs - may hear and understand your holy Word with all diligence and faith, so that we may rightly discern your gracious will, cherish it, and live by it with all earnestness, to your praise and honor, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.” -Martin Bucer, quoted in Be Thou My Vision pg. 78
Your devotional time with God doesn’t have to be boring or feel like a chore! If you’ve been feeling stuck in a routine, consider using these prayers or the liturgical books mentioned as an additional piece of your time alone with God.
Fady Ghobrial is a Ministry Fellow with Christian Union Gloria serving Harvard students through teaching and discipleship.