What if prayer could change how you read the Bible? Not just how much you understand, but how deeply you connect with God?
If that sounds dramatic, well, that’s because it is! Prayer helps us slow down, listen to the Holy Spirit, and increase our awareness of Him.
If you’ve just started your Bible reading journey or you’re looking to strengthen your prayer life, this is for you. Let’s learn how prayer before reading can make all the difference—and try a simple prayer for Bible reading you can use to get started.
Why Pray Before Reading the Bible?
Reading the Bible isn’t like reading any other book. When we open the Bible, explore its historical accounts, wrestle with its teachings, and become familiar with its people, we get to know God better. And the more we read, the more opportunities we have to gain wisdom, confront lies we’ve believed, and learn how to live.
But here’s the thing—understanding Scripture doesn’t always come naturally. We need help. Resources like commentaries and study Bibles can help, but we also need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, soften our hearts, and sharpen our focus. And that’s where a prayer before reading the Bible can transform everything.
When you pray before reading the Bible, ask God to help you turn your Bible reading into others-focused action.
When we pray, we invite God into the moment. We admit we need His wisdom, especially when we’re reading a weird or hard-to-understand passage. And we can ask God to help us turn our Bible reading into others-focused action.
So, if you’re wondering how to hear from God through the Bible, start with prayer.
A Prayer for Reading the Bible
Dear God, I come before You now, ready to open Your Word. Thank You for making a way for me to know You. As I open the Bible today, please help me slow down and encounter You. I don’t want to rush in.
I want to listen, understand, and learn how to live. Where I lack wisdom, give me clarity. When I’m distracted, please give me focus. When I don’t understand, give me the courage to keep reading, keep asking, and keep seeking.
As I read, shape my heart. Transform my thoughts. Teach me how to live. Let the story of Scripture shape the story of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
How You Might Continue This Bible Prayer
What are you looking for as you explore Scripture today? Guidance as you wrestle with a big decision? Hope in an impossibly difficult situation? Or maybe knowledge as you explore a big question?
Whatever it is, bring it into your personal prayer for reading the Bible. God’s Word reveals His forgiveness and shows us how to find hope, peace, and salvation through His grace. The truth of the Scriptures also helps us confront the ways we need to change our lives so we can fulfill our purpose of loving God and others.
Tips to Help You Read the Bible
Reading the Bible isn’t just a Christian box to check, and neither is prayer. Instead, they’re lifelines that empower our pursuit of Jesus Christ. If you’re new to reading Scripture, here are a few basic tips and resources to help you get started.
- Pick a place to start. A great place to begin is any one of the accounts of Jesus’ life: the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
- Pray before and after. Start with prayer before reading, and end by asking God to help you live out what you read.
- Ask questions. What does this reveal about God’s character? What is God saying to me? What story is this part of?
- Don’t read alone. Talk about what you’re reading with friends. Your prayer life and Bible understanding will grow.
Bible Reading Resources
- Watch the Basics of Faith episode How Does the Bible Apply to Me Today?
- Explore some common Bible questions.
- Discover some famous Bible stories.
The Bible Is Alive. Let It Speak
Scripture is more than words written by ancient authors. It’s God-breathed. It carries the presence and power of Jesus Christ. When you pray, read, and reflect, you’re not just learning about God, you’re meeting with Him.
So go ahead. Open God’s Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak. Pray before reading. Pray while reading. And let every moment in the Bible lead you deeper into the love, wisdom, and mercy of Jesus.
Because they’re not just dead words. The Bible is alive and can help you find God and find life.