Opening Prayers for Bible Study
Whenever we study God’s Word, we want to begin with prayer. Whether we are studying alone or in a group setting, prayer is a way to focus our hearts and minds on what we are about to read and meditate on. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He said what is known as the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is often memorized and recited, but it also serves as an outline for how to pray in any setting or circumstance.
Whenever we study God’s Word, we want to begin with prayer. Whether we are studying alone or in a group setting, prayer is a way to focus our hearts and minds on what we are about to read and meditate on. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He said what is known as the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is often memorized and recited, but it also serves as an outline for how to pray in any setting or circumstance. Below is a chart that shows how to use the Lord’s Prayer as an outline to help you pray an opening prayer for bible study.
Lord’s Prayer Luke 11:2-4 KJV | What We Should Pray For | Example |
| Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (v.2) |
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, Revelation 4:11) | Father, we come to you humbled that you would listen to our prayer, and we thank you for your Word that you have given us to study this day. |
| Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth (v. 2) |
(John 7:17, Ephesians 5:17) | We ask that you open our hearts and minds to understand your Word and discern how you would have us apply it to our lives so that your will would be done. |
| Give us day by day our daily bread (v.3) |
(1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 4:4) | We pray for the requests of this group (name them). We thank you that you hear our requests, and you are faithful to give us all we need to live a life that is pleasing to you. |
| And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us. (v. 4) |
(Matthew 5:23-24, 1 John 1:9) | We ask that you forgive our sins and that we would be able to enter this study with a clear conscience because of the sacrifice of your Son. |
| And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil (v. 4) |
(1 Peter 5:8, James 4:7) | God, help our minds not to wander during this study but to stay focused on you. Let us all be committed to this time of study and fellowship with one another. |
If you want to learn more about prayer, you can join this 21-Day Prayer Journal Group Challenge.