Prayers for Illumination on Thoughts

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.

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.

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.

May the Lord grant that we may engage in contemplating the mysteries of his heavenly wisdom with really increasing devotion, to his glory and our edification. Amen.

John Calvin