Prayer of St John Chrysostom before Taking Up the Holy Scriptures

When thou wouldest read or hear, pray to God, saying thus:

O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart, that I may hear Thy word and understand it and do Thy will, for I am a sojourner upon the earth. Hide not Thy commandments from me, but open mine eyes, that I may behold the wonders of Thy Spirit. Make known to me, O Lord, the hidden things of the mystery of Thy wisdom; for my hope is in Thee, O my God, that Thou wilt enlighten my mind and my senses with the light of Thy holy knowledge, not only to read what is written, but also to do it; that I may not read the lives and words of the saints unto my own condemnation, but unto renewal and enlightenment in holiness, for the salvation of my soul and the inheritance of the eternal kingdom. For Thou art the Enlightener of them that lie in darkness, and from Thee cometh every good giving and every perfect gift, and to Thee is due glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, good Master and Lover of mankind, depart not from us, neither forsake us nor cast us away, but be pleased to be ever with us, and reign over us. Blot out the handwritings of our sins. Deliver us from the tyranny of the devil; make us workers of Thy holy commandments; lead us to do Thine all-holy will; and make us all worthy to stand at Thy right hand on the day of judgement and to be caught up in the clouds, that we may attain to those unimaginable and ineffable good things of the kingdom of heaven. For Thou art He who willest the salvation of all men, and Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, and to Thee is due all honour, thanksgiving and worship, with Thine unoriginate Father and Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.