Prayers for Before and After Reading the Holy Scriptures
Traditional, for groups and individual devotion:
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Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
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V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
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Let us pray.
O God, who did instruct the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
For personal study:
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Come Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind. Teach me the ways of God that I may recognize and cooperate with his plan. In Jesus name. Amen.
For a group:
God, our Father, thank you for the gift of Sacred Scripture which you entrusted to your bride the Church. We devote this time to receiving your word in our hearts through the inspired reading which your saints have practiced. Teach us your Word just as Jesus taught his disciples. We pray that you will send your Holy Spirit to guide us so that we may follow you every day of our lives. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen
Prayer after Reading the Holy Scriptures #1:
Let us not, O Lord be puffed up with worldly wisdom, which passes away, but grant us that love which never ceases, that we may not choose to know anything among men but Jesus, and Him crucified. (1 Cor 13)We pray Thee, dear Jesus, that as Thou hast graciously given us to drink in with delight the words of Thy knowledge, so Thou wouldst mercifully grant us to attain one day to Thee, the Fountain of all Wisdom and to appear forever before thy face. Amen.
Prayer after Reading the Holy Scriptures #2:
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks; for through your sacred word you fill us with hope and challenge us to comfort and encourage one another with your saving message. Grant that through your Holy Spirit, we may respond to your call with all that is within us, and supply us with whatever is lacking, so that we may better know you, love you, and serve you. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.