Before reading the Gospel, Holy Scripture, Old and New Testaments, you should pray that the Lord will give you an understanding of what you read. Prayers before reading the Bible put you in a prayerful mood. We also need to pray after reading the Holy Book in gratitude to the Lord for what He revealed to us on this day.
1.
Lord, enlighten the eyes of my heart with the light of the mind of Your Holy Gospel.
2.
Advice from St. John Chrysostom: when you sit down to read the Holy Scriptures, first pray to God so that He will open the eyes of your heart.
Pray like this: “Lord Jesus Christ! Open the eyes of my heart, so that I may hear Your word and understand it and do Your will.”
3.
Shine in our hearts, O Lord of mankind, the imperishable light of Your knowledge of God, and open our mental eyes to the understanding of Your gospel sermons, place in us and the blessed Let us fear Thy commandments, let all carnal lusts be trampled, let us pass through spiritual life, all that is to please Thy both wisely and actively. For You are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and to You we ascribe glory, together with Your Beginning Father and Your All-Holy, and Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and ever, amen.
4.
Prayer of St. John Chrysostom before reading the Holy Scriptures
Lord Jesus Christ, open the ears of my heart to hear Your word, and to understand and do Your will, as I am a stranger on earth: do not hide the commandments from me. Yours, but open my eyes, that I may understand the wonders of Your law; tell me your unknown and secret wisdom. I trust in You, my God, may you enlighten my mind and meaning with the light of Your understanding, not only to honor what is written, but also to create, so that I may not read the holy lives and words as a sin to myself, but for renewal, and enlightenment, and to holiness, and to the salvation of the soul, and to the inheritance of eternal life. For You are the One who enlightens those who lie in darkness, and from You comes every good gift and every perfect gift. Amen.
5.
Prayer of Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov)
Save, Lord, and have mercy on Your servants (names) with the words of the Divine Gospel, read for salvation. The thorns of all our sins have fallen, Lord, and may Your cleansing grace, sanctifying the whole person, dwell in us, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
* * *
Glory to You, Lord the King, Son of the living God, who made me unworthy to hear Your divine words and the voice of Your Holy Gospel; Therefore, by Your sovereign voice, strengthen me in the repentance of this present life so that the night may pass away, delivering me from all slander and malice, visible and invisible. enemy: For you are the only strong one, and you reign forever. Amen.
Lord our God, who has endowed us with an eternal soul, enlightened us with His Word and given us a heart that seeks You! Give us, like the myrrh-bearing women, faithfulness in following You. When we are overcome by doubts and darkness surrounds us, You Yourself will strengthen and support us, and lead us to a joyful meeting with You, in this life and in eternity. Amen.
* Psalter. Prayer after the 11th Kathisma.