Prayers for Illumination on Ears

Adapted from Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)

Holy God, Word made flesh, let us come to this word open to being surprised. Silence our agendas; banish our assumptions; cast out our casual detachment. Confound our expectations; clear the cobwebs from our ears; penetrate the corners of our hearts with this word. We know that you can, we pray that you will, and we wait with great anticipation. Amen. 

Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.

Grant us ears to hear,

Eyes to see,

Wills to obey,

Hearts to love;

Then declare what You will,

Reveal what You will,

Command what You will, 

Demand what You will.

Christina Rossetti, Language modernized and adapted for Corporate Worship by Stuart Strachan Jr.

How we praise and thank You for the holy Scriptures which You have caused to be written for our learning. Thank You for Your written Word, which reveals to us the living Word of God, in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that in Him has been revealed all wisdom and grace, all knowledge and understanding, all truth and hope, all life and light. And thank You Father, that in Him You have spoken to us, Your children.

Father, we now pray that you would illumine our minds more and more as we look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Open our eyes to see wondrous things in Your Word of truth. Open our ears to hear Your still small voice speaking to us the Words of life. And open our minds and cleanse our thoughts so that Your Holy Spirit may guide us into all truth. May we be increasingly willing to submit to His gentle promptings, so that He may guide us into Your way of peace. In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.