Here's a short prayer before reading the Bible: "Lord, open my eyes to see wonderful things in your word. Quiet my mind, help me understand what I read, and give me the will to live it. Speak, for your servant is listening. Amen."
Christians have long prayed before reading Scripture, asking the Holy Spirit, who inspired it, to help them understand it. Psalm 119:18 is the classic: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, which is in the public domain.
A short prayer before Bible reading
Lord, open my eyes to see wonderful things in your word.
Quiet my mind, help me understand what I read,
and give me the will to live it.
Speak, for your servant is listening. Amen.
The last line comes from young Samuel's answer to God in 1 Samuel 3:10.
A prayer for understanding
Holy Spirit, you inspired these words. Teach me what they mean.
Bring to mind what I need to remember, and show me where I've misunderstood.
Let me meet Jesus in these pages. Amen.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things." John 14:26
A prayer to be a doer, not just a reader
Father, I don't want to just finish today's chapter.
Show me one thing to believe, one thing to change or one thing to do,
and give me grace to do it today. Amen.
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22
A prayer when Bible reading feels dry
Lord, I'm reading, but it feels like words on a page.
I'm still here because I trust that you speak.
Meet me in the quiet, even if I don't feel it today. Amen.
A prayer after reading
Thank you, Lord, for your word. Plant it deep in my heart
so I carry it into this day. Amen.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11
Verses to pray before reading
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalm 119:18
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16
Where should I start reading the Bible?
If you're new, start with a Gospel. Mark is short and fast, and John was written "that ye might believe" (John 20:31). Read a chapter a day and pray one of the prayers above first. Psalms and Proverbs are also good for short daily readings.
How do I read the Bible without getting distracted by my phone?
Reading on a phone means every notification is one tap away. Use a paper Bible if you can, or put your phone in Do Not Disturb before you open a Bible app. Prayer Latch includes a free offline Bible in 24 languages and keeps your other chosen apps locked until you've prayed. You can read before you scroll, without your feed waiting in the next app.
Pray before you scroll
Prayer Latch locks your chosen apps each morning until you pray. Your first 7 days are free, no card needed.
Updated October 22, 2026 by the Prayer Latch team at Janus Works LLC.