Prayer to Help Understand the Bible
Sometimes it’s hard to understand the Bible, which can be very frustrating. Often this will tempt us to just stop and give up trying. This is especially true if we’re not in a habit of reading it on a regular basis. However, I will say it gets easier the more consistent we get in our reading habit. Today, I’d like to share some scriptures and a prayer based off of scripture that we can pray to before we begin reading in order to glean the most out of our reading session.
God wants us to read our Bible. He also wants us to understand the Bible. He doesn’t want it to be difficult or overwhelming for us. We should be at peace and not in a state of confusion. God is not a God of confusion. Scripture is given to us to help us, not to hinder us. It’s meant to be useful for us to help us lead a successful, happy, healthy and prosperous life. It is effective and powerful and always relevant to any and every situation we face.
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace…” 1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
There is simplicity in Christ
Pastor Beth Jones explained once that we don’t have to understand all of the complex parts of the Bible to learn about Jesus and have relationship with him. Beth compared it to driving a car. You don’t have to understand all of the inner workings of a car engine to be able to drive the car.
Similarly, you don’t have to be all deep and philosophical and intellectual when reading scripture. He’ll help you out along the way. You’ll grow in knowledge and understanding as you walk with him. In fact, Jesus liked to keep things simple. It was the other religious leaders of the day that tried to make things confusing, complex, and super formal. He’ll meet you where you are and help you to understand little by little.
“But I fear, lest somehow, he serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)
Scriptures to use when we need to understand the Bible
“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45 (NLT)
“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” Psalm 119:18 (NLT)
“And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.” 1 John 5:20 (NLT)
“Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.” 2 Timothy 2:7 (NLT)
“Asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” Ephesians 1:17 (NLT)
“Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws.” Psalm 119:125 (NLT)
“Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 119:127 (NIV)
“The revelation of Your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced.” Psalm 119:130 (HCSB)
“Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” Psalm 119:34 (NIV)
“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.” Psalm 119:73 (NIV)
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” John 16:13 (NLT)
“When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.” 1 Corinthians 2:13 (NLT)
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV)
“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” John 17:17 (NLT)
“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance” Proverbs 1:5 (ESV)
“A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.” Proverbs 14:6 (NLT)
“My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.” Proverbs 8:9 (NLT)
Take Some Practical Steps to Pray to Help Understand the Bible:
- First, say this prayer to help understand the Bible
Pray this to help you understand the Bible better
Lord, Please open up my mind to help me to understand the Bible. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Give me understanding so that I can know you better. Please give me spiritual wisdom and insight so that I might grow in my knowledge of you. Give me discernment to help me understand what I read.
The Bible says that the revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. Please reveal things to me as I read, and help me to learn and understand so that I can do what you say and obey with all of my heart.
Let your Holy Spirit guide me into the truth, reveal things to me from your Word, and explain spiritual truths to me. Teach me, and help me to increase in learning and obtain guidance. Please help knowledge to come easily to me. Make things plain, clear, and easy to understand as I read.
Thank you in advance for helping me to understand the Bible!
- Next, save the prayer somewhere: Pin it, print it, or screenshot it. Save this prayer and keep it somewhere to use as a reference or to pray each time you read your Bible. You could even print the image/prayer and put it in the front of your Bible or journal.
- Finally, write one or more of the scriptures down and post them near where you read or have your quiet time. Pick one or more of the scriptures above to write out on an index card or post-it note. Also, you could just write them on the front inside cover or page of your Bible or journal. Then open to that page to read and pray the verses before you begin each Bible reading session. My favorites are Luke 24:45 and Psalm 119:130.
Do you pray before reading your Bible? Share some things that you pray to help you understand the Bible–Leave a comment below.
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I enjoyed this article… thank you I will definitely say this prayer before reading the Bible.
Thank you! I hope it is helpful for you.
Thanks for the prayer I Will certainly use it.
My pleasure! I hope it’s helpful.
WoW this was very helpful. I have learnt a lot on how to pray for understanding. The key thing I have learnt is the importance of being consistent in reading the bible regardless of whether I am understanding it or not. Thanks so muc
You’re very welcome.
Thank you for the powerful prayer, it was very helpful to me.
I would like to ask your permission if I can please copy it and use it on my blog to share it with my readers.
You are so very welcome Victoria. And yes, you may use this on your blog to share with your readers. Please just kindly hyperlink back to this original post. 😁 I pray it’s helpful to your readers as well!