Prayers for Illumination on Grace
O Lord our God,
grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart,
that so desiring we may seek and find you;
and so finding you we may love you;
and loving you we may hate those sins
from which you have redeemed us;
for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Anselm of Canterbury, Found in Ed J. Manning Potts, Prayers of the Middle Ages, 1954.
Lord God, let us keep your Scriptures in mind and meditate on them day and night, persevering in prayer, always on the watch. We beg you, Lord, to give us real knowledge of what we read and to show us not only how to understand it, but how to put it into practice, so that we may deserve to obtain spiritual grace, enlightened by the law of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord, whose power and glory will endure throughout all ages. Amen.
Origen of Alexandria
Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, heavenly Father, in whom the fullness of light and wisdom,
enlighten our minds by your Holy Spirit,
and give us grace to receive your Word with reverence and humility,
without which no one can understand your truth. For Christ’s sake, Amen.
John Calvin
O God, your Word is more precious than fine gold, and sweeter than purest honey. As we turn to your Scripture, send your Holy Spirit to infuse your Word with truth and grace — so that the good news of your love would shine before our eyes and delight our senses … so that we cannot help but respond with wonder, faith and trust. Amen.
O Lord, lift up the light of your face on us; let your peace rule in our hearts, and may it be our strength and our song on the way of our journey. We commit ourselves to your care and keeping; let your grace be mighty in us, and sufficient for us, in all the duties of the day. Keep us from sin; give us the rule over our own spirits, and guard us from speaking foolishly with our lips. May we live together in holy love and peace, and under your blessing in this life and forevermore.
Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
Based on John 4
Living God, our souls thirst for living water.
Open our hearts and minds to your Word this day,
so that, like the Samaritan woman,
we may have a grace-filled encounter with you, the Living Water.
Amen.
Ellen R. Dawson