Opening prayer for Bible study
Leading a small group often means opening and closing in prayer. These Bible study prayers are short, clear and ready to read aloud, so your group can settle in and go out with purpose.
Prayers to pray now
A short opening prayer for Bible study
Lord, thank You for bringing us together. Open our eyes to see You in Your Word, and open our hearts to obey it. Amen.
A full opening prayer for Bible study
Father, we come with full lives and busy minds. Thank You for this time and for each person here.
Quiet our hearts. As we read, help us understand. Where we are confused, give insight; where we are convicted, give courage.
Let us listen well to each other and to You. Let Your word dwell in us richly. In Jesus' name, amen.
A prayer before reading the Bible alone
Open thou mine eyes, Lord, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Amen.
A short closing prayer for Bible study
Lord, thank You for what we learned tonight. Help us live it this week. Go with each of us. Amen.
A closing prayer for a Bible study group
Father, send us out changed. Help us remember what we read, and give us chances this week to put it into practice. Watch over each family here, and bring us back together safely. Amen.
When and how to pray this
Open with prayer once people have arrived and settled, before reading. Keep it under a minute. At the end, take prayer requests, then close by praying for those requests and for the group to live what you studied.
Rotate who prays so everyone has a chance, and keep a list of requests so you can follow up next week.
Bible verses to pray
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Psalm 119:18 (KJV)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
Questions people ask
What is a good opening prayer for Bible study?
Thank God for the group, ask Him to open your eyes to His Word, and ask for hearts ready to obey. The short opening prayer on this page takes about fifteen seconds.
What is a good closing prayer for Bible study?
Thank God for the time together, pray for the requests shared, and ask for help living out what you learned this week.
What do you pray before reading the Bible?
Psalm 119:18, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law," is a traditional prayer before reading Scripture.