Before Preparing a Sermon 3

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).

Before Preparing a Sermon.

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).

Before Study 4

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).

Before Study 3

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).

Before Study 2

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).

Before Study.

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).

A Thanksgiving for the Holy Gospel.

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

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).

After Reading Holy Scripture.

O GOD, Father of all mercies, Thou, Who in the unsearchable riches of Thy grace, hast opened to me the treasure of Thy Word in which we have the knowledge of Thy dear Son, and a sure pledge of our life and salvation: I beseech Thee, grant that I may preserve it in pure faith and burning love unto the end; 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.28).