When we talk about Bible study, we usually start with tips and tricks for reading and comprehending Scripture. I could go on and on about Bible study methods, but do you want to know a little secret? Prayer has the greatest influence on my Bible study.
Surprisingly, prayer is also the most commonly overlooked aspect of Bible study. A prayer is a tool that motivates us to take action. It is important in hearing from God and discerning (recognize truth) what we are studying. As a result, I’m a big fan of starting Bible study with a simple prayer.
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How to Start an Opening Prayer for Bible Study
The beginning of an opening prayer for Bible study can be the most difficult part. You have no idea where to go or how to lead it. Here are four simple ways to begin your opening prayer for your Bible study group!
Begin with Praise
Starting your prayer time with adoration and praise is a great way to get started. Take a moment to praise Him and tell Him what a wonderful and good God He is!
Begin with thanksgiving
This can be a complement to or a replacement for praise. Begin by giving thanks to the Lord. It can be as simple as thanking Him for the Bible study group or mentioning other things for which you are grateful.
Begin with a Scripture
Starting prayer with a Bible verse is a great way to get everyone on the same page and then continue in prayer. It’s also an excellent tool for directing your prayers. For example, if you believe the Lord is emphasizing a verse on wisdom. Read the verse aloud, then pray to the Lord about it. “We thank You, Lord, for Your Word. It says that we can come to You if we lack wisdom. So, Lord, today I ask that you grant each of us wisdom that exceeds our natural ability…”
Begin with a Prayer Request.
If there is a prayer request within the group or something happening locally in the church, city, country, or even the world. This request can be used to start your prayer time.
This article will answer all of your questions about praying before a Bible study group in great detail. You’ll discover why we recommend praying before Bible class and see examples of sample prayers you can use before Bible study.
Importance of Opening Prayer for Bible Study
An opening prayer for Bible study is essential for the following reasons.
1. Opening Prayer for Bible Study Encourages Unity
Do you ever feel like you’re on your own in your faith journey? I’m sure I have. Even if I’m in a room full of people, each with their Bible open and ready to study, I still feel disconnected. Why? Because we don’t have a relationship.
Praying together before Bible study fosters a sense of fellowship. It reminds us that, while we all have our own personal relationships with God, He intended for us to live this life together. We form Christ’s body as a group. Prayer before Bible study completes the circle. It awakens the “encourager” in all of us. We are no longer preoccupied with our own problems and requirements.
2. It Helps Us Understand Scripture As God Intended
I enjoy group Bible studies because they allow me to meet new people, many of whom are very different from us. The fact that we both love Jesus is sometimes the only thing I have in common with the people in the room. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Diversity is lovely.
At the same time, differing opinions, beliefs, cultural understanding, life experiences, and so on can present some difficulties in interpreting and understanding the Bible.
The purpose of Bible study is to adopt God’s viewpoints, receive His instructions, and obey Him. Begin your Bible study with a small group. Bible study prayer allows everyone to come together in agreement and ask God to help us see things from HIS perspective.
His methods are vastly different from ours. Prayer enables us to humble ourselves so that our faulty understanding or difficult experiences do not shape scripture for us. Rather, scripture shapes us. That’s exactly how it should be.
3. Prayer Reminds Us Where Our Focus Should Be
Have you ever noticed how our life circumstances can cause us to lose sight of the things that truly matter the most; truth and hope?
The truth is that we have hope no matter what we face in life because of who God is and what Jesus has done for us.
Prayer has a fun way of drawing us back to that, reminding us that God is bigger than anything. God is always trustworthy. Whatever happens, I am His. So I have every reason to rejoice and praise. Prayer before a Bible study meeting (or even before your personal Bible study time) keeps our lives and faith in the right place: submitted to God.
Understanding A Good Opening Prayer for Bible Study
The opening prayer for Bible study class does not have to be grand, formal, or intimidating. The majority of opening prayers are spontaneous and in the moment, but they can also be scripted. Sometimes having a written prayer that everyone can pray together is helpful. Below is an example of a sample opening prayer for Bible study, as well as tips for opening and closing prayers for Bible study.
4 Tips for Praying at a Bible Study
Prayer is an essential component of any Bible study. Some people struggle with opening prayer, but we are here to help you overcome your fear and feel confident in praying at a Bible study!
It ISN’T ABOUT YOU – Remembering that it’s not about me is something that always helps me when I have to lead a prayer. Opening prayer for Bible study is a time to connect with God, and we’ve gathered as a church family to do so.
Just be yourself – You don’t have to be eloquent or poetic to pray aloud. Take the initiative by following your heart.
It’s okay if it’s short – An opening prayer doesn’t have to be long or detailed. Remember that the opening prayer allows God to hear from us before we dive into His Word! Keep your prayers brief and to the point! Unless the Holy Spirit directs otherwise. Never put your prayers in a box.
Spend time with God – Before beginning your Bible study, spend some time alone with God and pray. As you begin your prayer, ask Him for peace and if there is anything specific you should pray for during that time. Pay attention to His voice and see if He places a verse or something on your heart. It is beneficial to have an idea of what to pray for before you begin.
6 Powerful Opening Prayer for Bible Study
Here, I have different opening prayers for Bible study for you to use, but if you can, I would encourage you to let it all come from your heart. These prayer points serve as a guide to help you decide what to pray. You can pray just one or several of them during your opening prayer. Simply be aware of the Holy Spirit’s leading.
1. A Prayer of Gratitude
Thank you, God. Thank you for your incredible power and work in our lives, for your goodness and blessings over us. Thank you for your ability to bring hope even in the darkest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your wonderful love and concern. Thank you for your kindness and grace. Thank you for always being with us and never leaving us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice in order for us to have liberty and life.
Forgive us for not thanking you enough for who you are, what you do, and what you’ve given. Help us to refocus our eyes and hearts on you. Fill us with your peace and joy as you renew our spirits. We adore you and need you today and every day. We give you praise and thanks because only You are worthy in Jesus’ name. Amen.
2. Prayer For the Spirit to Work
Dear Lord, please fill us with Your spirit as we rise to face each new day. Let us spread love, joy, peace, goodness, and faithfulness wherever we go. Let us aspire to be more like you and to worship you in everything we do. Help us to desire these things far more than the sin that tempts us. Thank you for always being ahead of us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
3. An Opening Prayer for Group Humility and Peace
Father, As we gather, we thank You for this day and the purpose You have for it. As we sit in Your presence, reset our agendas. For You assure us that You are present wherever two or more gather in Your name. Refocus our hearts and re-calibrate our intentions. Your wishes for our lives do not always correspond to our plans. Change them to reflect Your preferences. Help us see that we don’t need complete clarity to walk into the unique purpose You’ve placed in our lives.
Lift our gaze to You today and always, surrendering our need to achieve, comprehend, and be known. Change our focus to seek Your peace above all else. Allow the Holy Spirit to translate Your commands in every situation we face in our daily lives. Give us new strength and godly courage to follow You without hesitation. Please forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and putting pressure on results.
Only You know what awaits you. You are our just and righteous Father. Though our circumstances in this life will be unfair at times, You will always be our unwavering protector and shield. Keep King David’s words fresh in our minds, and renew our hearts to the tune of Your truth. Let Your peace descend on us today, as we seek You above all else. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
4. A Prayer for Group Peace and Understanding
Father, As the events of the day unfold, we pray for Your clarity and peace. We know You are with us and for us as we gather to seek Your guidance. The Bible tells us that the more we seek You, the more we will find You. Today, lead our surrendered hearts down the path of Your peace.
Participate fully in our situation, both as a group and as individuals. And sort through our jumbled feelings and distorted thoughts. Cover us with an out-of-this-world blanket of honesty and patience.
Holy Spirit, help us to understand our great Father’s faithful response to our desires and pleadings. Jesus walked the earth to teach us so much and to save us from eternal torment. On this earth, however, He promised us that we would suffer greatly.
Trying to find solutions in the midst of conflicting personalities can appear impossible. We are not, thankfully, expected to be perfect. Thankfully, the Bible warns us that we will all fall short. So, as we sit here today, let us free ourselves from the shackles of blame in exchange for the agreement. Help us to face conflict and strife with godly courage and love. Give us peace in knowing that we are pursuing Your plan for our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
5. Prayer to Stand Firm
Thank you, God. We thank you that you have won the battle against sin and death in this world. We are grateful for the redeeming work you have done in our lives. We thank you for bringing us freedom and hope.
Your word tells us to stand our ground, and we will do so in the power of your Name. We are not under the control of the enemy, and we bring your word of Truth as a weapon against his schemes. We know we are not fighting alone because you are constantly at work on behalf of your children, shielding, protecting, strengthening, exposing dark deeds, bringing to light what needs to be known, and shielding us from the cruel attacks we face even when we are unaware.
We pray for wisdom and discernment to recognize the enemy’s schemes in our lives and to stand firm against his work. We would appreciate it if you could remind us to pray constantly for all believers. We ask that you assist us in remaining vigilant in a dark world that tries hard to make things appear “not so bad.” We ask that you prepare us to be salt and light, to be loving and gracious while remaining unyielding to sin.
We ask that you help us remember to put on your armor every day because you provide us with everything we need to stand firm in this day. We thank you that even though you remind us in your word that the evil one controls the entire world, you are far greater, and we have overcome because you have set us free.
We thank you for your truth, “no weapon formed against you will prosper,” and for telling us that this is our “heritage” in you, our inherited blessing, place of possession, and a gift from your hand. We adore you, Lord. We require your assistance. In your great and powerful Name, we stand together. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
6. A Prayer to Prepare
Heavenly Father, Abba, Yahweh, who delights in His children. Jesus, our Messiah, addresses us as friends. Holy Spirit, heavenly gift, and constant companion. All praise to the One True, Triune God! Lord, you know when we are lost. You discovered us, buried in our own motivations and befuddled by worldly principles. You rescued us by defeating death on the cross and rising to sit at God’s right hand in heaven. Your intrusion into our mundane lives, our tumultuous circumstances, forever alters us.
Every day of our lives is equally important. Nobody was more or less loved. You keep the world in balance and our souls in tune in Your perfect way. You hear every voice, every prayer, every cry, and every shout of praise, all at the same time! Your ways are not our ways, but oh, God… guide us in Your plan for our lives.
Allow Your glory, Light, and Living Water to pour out of our lives. May all who know us sense Your love for all…and the care with which You save the lost. Amen. Jesus, we pray in Your Mighty Name.