LET the preacher labor to be heard intelligently, willingly, obediently; and let him not doubt that he will accomplish this rather by the piety of his prayers than the eloquence of his speech. By praying for himself, and for those whom he is to address, let him be their beadsman before their Teacher; and approaching God with devotion, let him raise to Him a thirsting heart, before he speaks of Him with his tongue that he may speak what he hath been taught, and pour out what hath been poured in.

I cease not therefore to ask from our Lord and Master, that He may, either by the communication of His Scriptures, or the conversations of my brethren, or the internal and sweeter doctrine of His own Spirit, deign to teach me things so to be proposed and asserted, that I may ever hold me fast to the Truth: from this very Truth I desire to be taught the many things I know not, and I have received the few I know. I beseech this Truth that, loving-kindness preventing and following me, He would· teach me the wholesome things that I know not; keep me in the true things I know; correct me wherein I am (which is human) in error, confirm me wherein I waver; preserve me from false and noxious things and make that to proceed from my mouth which, as it shall be chiefly pleasing to the Truth Himself, so it may be accepted by all the faithful; through the Same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.31-32).

O LORD and Savior Christ, Who camest not to strive nor cry, but to let Thy words fall as the drops that water the earth: Grant all who contend for the faith once delivered, never to injure it by clamor and impatience; but speaking Thy precious truth in love, so to present it that it may be loved, and that men may see in it Thy goodness and beauty; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.31).

GIVE me, O Teacher, the lowliness and loftiness of mind becoming those who are thinking Thy thoughts after Thee. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.30).

O GOD, the Holy Ghost, Who enlightenest the minds of Thy children: Send down upon me, I pray Thee, the spirit of wisdom and understanding to lead me into all truth, that I may so feed the flock committed to me with the words of eternal life, as with them to attain unto that place where Thou livest; Who with the Father livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.30).

LORD God, the Fountain of wisdom, Who by Thy Well-Beloved Son hast taught us that every scribe instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven should bring forth from his treasures things old and new: Vouchsafe unto me diligence and foresight; grant me the spirit of judgment that I may discern between good and evil; the spirit of understanding that I may fully know the purport of that which I read; the gift of memory that I may retain it and readiness with fluency, that I may use it in Thy service for the profit of souls committed to my teaching; through the Same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.  (Oremus, 1925, p.30).

O THOU, Who enlightenest every man who cometh into the world: Enlighten our hearts with the brightness of Thy grace, that we may ponder and love those things that are acceptable to Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.29-30).

O GOD, Who hast ordained that whatever is to be desired should be sought by labor, and Who, by Thy blessing, bringest honest labor to good effect: Look with mercy upon my studies and endeavors; grant me, O Lord, to design only what is lawful and right, and afford me calmness of mind, and steadiness of purpose, that I may so do Thy will in this short life, as to obtain happiness in the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.29).

ALMIGHTY God, our Heavenly Father, without Whose help labor is useless without Whose light search is vain: Invigorate my studies and direct my inquiries, that I may, by due diligence and right discernment, establish myself and others in Thy holy faith; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.29).

WE give thanks unto Thee, Almighty God, Heavenly Father, that Thou hast given to us Thy holy gospel, and hast therein revealed to us Thy fatherly heart: We humbly beseech Thee, graciously preserve the light of Thy Word in us, and so lead and rule our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we never again forsake it, but cling to its holy teaching and at last through it be saved; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.28-29).

After Reading Holy Scripture 2

ETERNAL Father, Gracious God, Divine Sower of Thy holy Word, Who dost grant us to be born again of this imperishable seed: We thank Thee for the treasure of Thy gospel, and humbly beseech Thee to plough our hearts with Thy law, moisten them with Thy Spirit, shine upon them with Thy Sun of Grace, so that we become good and fertile land, and bring forth much fruit in patience; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.  (Oremus, 1925, p.28).