ARC – Prayer in Study

Study Prayers

Study Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
Marian Study Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
Prayer of a Student
Prayer Before Study 1
Prayer Before Study 2
Prayer After Study
Prayer Before Studying the Bible 1
Prayer Before Studying the Bible 2
Prayer of St. Anselm of Canterbury
Coptic Prayer Before Study

Study Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

Creator past all telling, you have appointed from the treasures of your wisdom the hierarchies of angels, disposing them in wondrous order above the bright heavens, and have so beautifully set out all parts of the universe. You we call the true fount of wisdom and the noble origin of all things. Be pleased to shed on the darkness of mind in which I was born, the twofold beam of your light and warmth to dispel my ignorance and sin. You make eloquent the tongues of children. Then instruct my speech and touch my lips with graciousness. Make me keen to understand, quick to learn, able to remember; make me subtle to interpret and ready to speak. Guide my going in and going forward, and lead home my going forth. You are true God and true man, and live for ever and ever. Amen.
Top

Marian Study Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

O Mary, Mother of fair love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope, by whose loving care and intercession many, otherwise poor in intellect, have wonderfully advanced in knowledge and in holiness, thee do I choose as the guide and patroness of my studies; and I humbly implore, through the deep tenderness of thy maternal love, and especially through that eternal Wisdom who deigned to take from thee our flesh and who gifted thee beyond all the saints with heavenly light, that thou wouldst obtain for me by thy intercession the grace of the Holy Spirit that I may be able to grasp with strong intellect, retain in memory, proclaim by word and deed, and teach others all things which bring honor to thee and to thy Son, and which for me and for others are salutary for eternal life. Amen.
Top

Prayer of a Student

Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fishermen into wise heralds and teachers of the Gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also in my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grant me discernment, understanding, and wisdom in learning. Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to you I give honor and glory. Amen.
Top

Prayer Before Study

Most blessed Lord, send the grace of your Holy Spirit on me to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study and by it become a better person for your glory, the comfort of my family and the benefit of your Church and our Nation. Amen.
Top

Prayer Before Study

Christ, the true light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person coming into the world, let the light of your countenance shine upon me that I may see your unapproachable light; and guide my steps in the way of your commandments, through the intercessions of your all-holy Mother and of all the Saints. Amen.
Top

Prayer After Study

I thank you, Lord our God, that again on this occasion you have opened my eyes to the light of your wisdom. You have gladdened my heart with the knowledge of truth. I entreat you, Lord, help me always to do your will. Bless my soul and body, my words and deeds. Enable me to grow in grace, virtue, and good habits, that your name may be glorified, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Top

Prayer Before Studying the Bible

Master who loves us, shine your eternal light in our hearts that we may better know you. Help us to fully understand your Gospel message. Instill in us respect for your holy commandments, that by overcoming our worldly desires we might live a spiritual life of thoughts and deeds which pleases you. We ask this of you, O Christ our God, for you are the light of our souls and bodies and you we glorify with your eternal Father and your all-holy good and life-giving Spirit now and forever. Amen.
Top

Prayer Before Studying the Bible

Shine within my heart, loving Master, the pure light of your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of my mind that I may understand your teachings. Instill in me also reverence for your blessed commandments, so that having conquered sinful desire I may pursue a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to you. For you, Christ my God, are my light, and to you I give glory together with your Father and your Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Top

Prayer of St. Anselm of Canterbury

O Lord, you are my Lord and my God, yet I have never seen you. You have created and redeemed me, and have conferred on me all my goods, yet I know you not. I was created in order that I might know you, but I have not yet attained the goal of my creation. I confess, O Lord, and give you thanks, that you have created me in your image, so that I might be mindful of you and contemplate you and love. I seek not to understand in order that I may believe; rather, I believe in order that I may understand.
Top

Coptic Prayer Before Study

Most blessed Lord, send the grace of Your Holy Spirit on me to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study and by it become a better person for Your glory, the comfort of my family and the benefit of Your Church and our Nation. Amen
Christ, the true light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person coming into the world, let the light of Your countenance shine upon me (us) that I (we) may see Your unapproachable light; and guide my (our) steps in the way of Your commandments, through the intercessions of Your all-holy Mother and of all the Saints. Amen.
Top