Prayers for Illumination on The Heart

Adapted from Psalm 19:14 NRSV

Lord, God,

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts

be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.

Almighty and most merciful God, you have given the Bible to be the revelation of your great love to us, and of your power and will to save us: grant that our study of it may not be made in vain by the callousness or carelessness of our hearts, but that by it we may be confirmed in penitence, lifted to hope, made strong for service, and, above all, filled with the true knowledge of yourself and of your Son Jesus Christ.

George Adam Smith

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden.  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Breathe in us, O Holy Spirit,

That our thoughts may all be holy.

Act in us, O Holy Spirit,

That our work, too, may be holy.

Draw our hearts, O Holy Spirit,

That we love but what is holy.

Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit,

To defend all that is holy.

Guard us, then, O Holy Spirit,

That we always may be holy.

Augustine of Hippo, Adapted for Corporate Worship by Stuart Strachan Jr.

Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voices but your own, so that we may hear your Word and also do it; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Calm us now, O Lord, into a quietness that heals and listens. Open wounded hearts to the balm of your Word. Speak to us in clear tones so that we might feel our spirits leap for joy and skip with hope as your resurrection witnesses. Amen.  

God, source of all light, by your Word you give light to the soul.  Pour out upon us the spirit of wisdom and understanding that, being taught by you in Holy Scripture, our hearts and minds may be opened to know the things that pertain to life and holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Prepare our hearts, O God,

to hear your Word

and obey your will.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Service for the Lord’s Day and Lectionary for the Christian Year. © 1964,

Westminster Press.

Prepare my heart Lord as I come before You today and I pray that You would give me a spirit of wisdom and understanding. Lord I pray for illumination of Your Word and that You would open my eyes to the truth of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ and the great sacrifice He made for me at Calvary. 

Thank You for all that You have done for me and Lord. It is my desire Lord, to be used in Your service and to walk in Your ways – and so I come to You Lord as for Your guidance in my path through life and for illumination of Your Word, so that I may be used by You in the service of others and to the glory of Your name. Lord, I don’t know which way to go and I ask You to guide my thoughts and prayers and to open my heart to all that You are showing me. 

Guide me Lord in the direction You would have me go. Illumine my heart with a deeper awareness of Your precious Word and give me the grace to love You more and serve You better in the place where You have placed me; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen 

Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag downward, unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out, upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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)