Prayer Before The Sermon

In many traditions a brief prayer is said before the sermon. Generally, if the people have been standing for the gospel, the prayer is said with the people standing. After the prayer they are seated. This is sometimes called the "prayer of illumination."

A Biblical Example of the Prayer Before the Sermon Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Amen. or In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Traditional Examples of the Prayer Before the Sermon O Master, Illumine our hearts with the pure light of divine knowledge; Open the eyes of our mind to understand your gospel; implant in us the fear of your blessed commandments; and trample down all our worldly desires: That we may live in the Spirit, Thanking you and doing the things that please you For you are the illumination of our life. And unto you we ascribe all glory, For you live forever with the Father Who is everlasting and with the Holy Spirit Who is all-holy and the giver of life. Now and forever and unto ages of ages. Amen. (Adapted from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom) or Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer) Guidelines for Preparing a Prayer of Illumination Direction Example 1. An ascription to God Blessed Lord, 2. A description of God's who caused all holy Scripture to be work with reference to written for our learning: Scripture 3. The petition Grant us ... that we may ... 4. A closing doxology who lives and reigns …