As a young chap in youth ministry and Christian school, I was always told to read my Bible (if I could find it). My biggest gripe was the confusion that would ensue due to the fact that there were so many translations and so many things I did not understand. I mean, WHERE TO START? Then, my youth pastor preached a sermon one time that stuck with me to this day. He said, "EVERY SINGLE TIME, before you read your Bible, pray that God teaches you and speaks to you."
This is so important. I mean, you are reading the Word of God! So a simple prayer can be said, "Dear Lord, open my eyes and ears, and speak to me through Your Word."
But recently, I have found a prayer that has really centered my focus before reading the Bible. It comes from St. John Chrysostom (the guy who wrote the original Liturgy for the Church). Now, this is not the only prayer, but it is a good prayer before reading Scripture. It is holy. So I figured I would share it with you:
"O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart, that I may hear Your word and understand and do Your will, for I am a sojourner upon the earth. Hide not Your commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of Your law. Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of Your wisdom. On You do I set my hope, O my God, that You shall enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of Your knowledge, not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them; that in reading the lives and sayings of the saints I may not sin, but that such may serve for my restoration, enlightenment and sanctification, for the salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of life everlasting. For You are the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from You comes every good deed and every gift. Amen."
An illustrated icon of Saint Matthew, known as "The Evangelist", a former tax collector, hated by many, loved by Jesus. He wrote the Gospel of Matthew.
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