Prayer is an important part of a Christian’s relationship with God. It is a time to commune with Him, give thanks, and ask for guidance. When reading the Bible, prayer can also be a helpful tool. It can help us set the mood and prepare our hearts and minds for what we are about to read.
There are prayers to say before reading the Bible that can prepare your heart and mind for scripture. May God bless you as you seek to understand His Word!
Prayers for Before Reading the Bible
Prayer for Preparation
Dear Lord, as I begin this time with you, please prepare my heart. Fill me with your Spirit so that, Lord, please prepare my heart for all that you have to teach me today. Fill it with your Spirit, so I can be receptive and open-minded about what is coming next in this hour of the prayer time together.
I also ask for a clear mind free from distractions or thoughts concerning the world’s matters which would only hinder our focus on behalf herewith seeking out truth from You, God as well, since it seems many people these days seem unable/unwilling themselves just yet even though they know better but still choose not put into practice those principles learned thus far, either way, I may be receptive to all that you have for me today. So help me clear my mind of all distractions and worldly things so I may focus completely on you. Amen.
Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Prayer for Focusing on the Bible
Heavenly Father, I come to You now wanting to read Your Word.
But I confess that my mind is easily distracted, and my thoughts tend to wander. I need Your help to focus on what I am reading and to understand what You are saying to me through Your Word. Would You please give me the gift of focus as I read?
Amen.
Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Prayer for Understanding the Bible
Lord, I know that the Bible can sometimes be difficult to understand. This is because so many stories, laws, prophecies, and teachings are contained within their pages.
Sometimes I feel like I am reading without comprehending what I am taking. So today, I pray for understanding as I read Your Word. Help me to grasp what You are trying to tell me through the written Word.
Amen.
Timothy 4:13
Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
Prayer for Wisdom
Dear God, as I read Your Word today, would You please give me wisdom? Wisdom to know how to apply the truths found in Scripture to my everyday life.
Wisdom to know when to speak up and when to remain silent. Wisdom when it comes to making decisions—big and small.
Amen.
Nehemiah 9:3While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.
Prayer for Encouragement
Sometimes Your Word can be tough to digest, Lord. There are days when it feels like everything in Scripture is a rebuke or a challenge instead of a source of encouragement.
So today, I pray that as I read Your Word, You would use it to encourage and build me up—not tear me down.
Amen.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Prayer for Reverence of the Bible
O heavenly Father, I do so with great reverence and respect as I approach Your Word today. This Book is not like any other book—it is living and active; it has the power to transform lives and change hearts.
Therefore, as I read, I may never take Your Word lightly but approach it with awe and wonder instead. I ask that You protect me as I read Your Word today. There are deceitful spirits around me who would love nothing more than to keep me from hearing Your truth. But I know that Your truth will set me free, so I refuse to be afraid. Please guide my steps and guard my heart as I read Scripture today.
Amen.
Ecclesiastes 12:12
But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
Prayer for Humility Before God
As I open the pages of Scripture today, I approach it with a heart full of humility. I know that without Your guiding Spirit, I will never be able to truly understand Your Word or learn from it in the way You intend for me. So, I humbly ask that You help me to put my pride aside and lay open my heart to Your truth and wisdom.
As I dive into Your Word, may it transform my life in every way possible: teaching me how to live in a way that glorifies You and brings honor to Your name. May my understanding of who You are deepening as I grow closer to You daily. And may this increased knowledge about who You are also bringing about growth in my understanding of who I am, not just as a sinner saved by grace, but as someone intimately connected to the great, loving Father God.
Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
As I sit down to read the pages of Scripture, I am filled with anticipation. I dare to hope that this time, I will discover something new – a hidden truth or insight that will change how I view the world. And as my eyes scan the words on the page, I feel a kinship with those who have come before me.
After all, even though we live in different centuries and experience the world differently, our hearts are all called by the same Holy Spirit to seek out the mysteries hidden within these ancient texts. And so I pray that He will continue to reveal His love through these holy words, bringing light into my heart and offering wisdom for living in the world today.
Through His illumination of Scripture, may we all draw closer to God and be transformed into His image.
Amen.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer for Transformation
I know that the Holy Spirit is working in my heart and mind, transforming me from the inside out so that I can become more like Jesus every day. With His help, I want my life to look different – more joyful, more peaceful, and more full of love for others.
I seek to walk in His grace and carry out His will, always seeking to be faithful in all that He asks of me. And so, as I turn my eyes inward to the Word today, I pray that the Holy Spirit will work within me, bringing new life and inspiration into every aspect of my being.
May He fill me with His goodness and grace, giving me all I need to live a life fully devoted to Him.
Amen.
Psalm 119:11
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Bible Verses for Before You Read The Bible
Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Isaiah 34:16
Seek from the book of the Lord, and read: Not one of these will be missing None will lack its mate. For His mouth has commanded, And His Spirit has gathered them.
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it for the time is near.
Timothy 2:7
Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Ephesians 2:9
not by works, so that no one can boast.
John 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were hardened for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Prayer Points for Before You Read The Bible
- Pray that God would give you a hunger for His Word.
- Pray that you would be able to understand what you read.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit would give you wisdom and revelation as you read.
- Pray that you would be able to apply what you read to your life.
- Pray that God would use His Word to transform your life.
Your Prayer Submission
Let us share your prayer before you read the Bible around the world.
