Prayer Before Reading Scripture:

O Lord Jesus Christ open Thou the eyes of my heart, that I may hear

Thy word and understand 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 perceive the wonders of Thy law. Speak unto me the hidden

and secret things of Thy wisdom. On Thee do I set my hope, O my

God, that Thou shalt enlighten my mind and understanding with

the light of Thy knowledge, not only to cherish those things which

are written, but to do them; that in reading the lives and sayings of

the saints I may not sin, but that such may serve for my restoration,

enlightenment and sanctification, for the salvation of my soul, and

the inheritance of life everlasting. For Thou art the enlightenment

of those who lie in darkness, and from Thee cometh every good

deed and every gift. Amen.