So, usually every morning before I begin to study for a sermon, I pray Psalm 119:18

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

I know God translates that whenever I’m preaching out of the prophets or the writings (*smile*) but that’s not important right now.

What is important is that one of my colleagues shared a prayer that Thomas Aquinas prayed before studying:

“Ineffable Creator,
You are proclaimed the true font of light and wisdom, and the primal origin raised high beyond all things.
Pour forth a ray of Your brightness into the darkened places of my mind; disperse from my soul the twofold darkness into which I was born: sin and ignorance.
You make eloquent the tongues of infants. Refine my speech and pour forth upon my lips the goodness of Your blessing.
Grant to me keenness of mind, capacity to remember, skill in learning, subtlety to interpret, and eloquence in speech.
May You guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to completion.
You Who are true God and true Man, who live and reign, world without end.
Amen.” (emphasis added)

I will give myself credit for praying Scripture (Psalm 119:18), but I must admit that Aquinas’s prayer put me to shame. I’ve printed his prayer out and have it on my workspace. I am trying to memorize at least the bold section above.

It’s another example of how I continue to benefit from reading ancient interpreters like Augustine, Calvin, and Edwards.

I’m sure you ask God for help before you begin studying for a sermon or teaching time. May you enjoy and benefit from Aquinas’s expression of need and reliance on God so He receives glory in the church and in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21).

Randal